ऐसी Verbs जो Continuous Tenses में प्रयोग नहीं की जा सकतीं (Explained in Hindi)

Continuous tenses में ऐसी verbs को use किया जाता है जिनके द्वारा व्यक्त किये जाने वाले कार्य किसी के द्वारा जानबूझ कर किये जाते हैं. लेकिन कुछ verb ऐसी भी हैं जो continuous form में use नहीं की जा सकतीं; ऐसी verbs को ‘non-continuous verbs’ अथवा ‘stative verbs’ कहा जाता है.

आपके मन में यदि कोई आशंका हो कि किसी verb को continuous form में use किया जा सकता है अथवा नहीं अपने आप से ये प्रश्न पूछिए: वास्तविक रूप से कोई कार्य हो रहा है कि नहीं? यदि वास्तविक रूप से कोई कार्य हो रहा है तो उस verb को continuous form में भी use किया जा सकता है; यदि वास्तविक रूप से कोई कार्य नहीं हो रहा है तो उस verb को continuous form में use नहीं किया जा सकता. ऐसी कुछ verbs नीचे दी गयी हैं:

1. Sense Verbs

Sense verb ऐसी verb होती है जो हमारी पांच ज्ञानेन्द्रियों से सम्बन्धित होती है. Verb See, Hear, Taste, Feel और Smell पांच sense verb होती हैं.

A) Sense verbs (See, Hear, Taste, Feel और Smell) को continuous tenses में use नहीं किया जा सकता. Verb Notice और Observe (= notice) को भी continuous tenses में use नहीं किया जा सकता; e.g.

INCORRECT: I’m smelling something burning.
CORRECT: I smell something burning.

INCORRECT: I’m seeing a bird flying high in the sky.
CORRECT: I see a bird flying high in the sky.

INCORRECT: I’m feeling you are not right.
CORRECT: I feel you are not right.

INCORRECT: Aren’t you feeling the building shaking?
CORRECT: Don’t you feel the building shaking?

B) Linking Verbs

Linking Verbs: Linking verbs किसी action को अभिव्यक्त नहीं करतीं. वे किसी वाक्य के subject को उस वाक्य के predicate से उसकी कड़ी जोड़ने (link) का कार्य करती करती हैं. Linking verbs को ‘copular verbs’ भी कहा जाता है. इन verbs के साथ कोई object नहीं आता, बल्कि इनके साथ ऐसे word आते हैं जो subject के बारे में अतिरिक्त जानकारी देते हैं. कुछ linking verb ये हैं:

be (is, am, was, etc.	appear	become	feel
seem	smell	sound	taste
look	remain	get	weigh

i) The cat was friendly.
ii) This shirt feels good.
iii) Ruchi will be 20 in August.
iv) A face appeared at the window. It was Shilpa.
v) He remained outside while his mother went into the hospital.
vi) My bag weighs 4 kg.
vii) Sugar tastes sweet.
viii) This mango smells good.
ix) That cake looks good.

NOTE: जब sense verbs और linking verbs को continuous tenses में use किया जा सकता है:

HEAR

a) जब verb ‘hear’ का अर्थ किसी विषय को विधिवत् रूप से (formally/officially) सुनना हो जैसे कि complaints, evidence, आदि को तो ये continuous form में use की जा सकती है; जैसे

i) The court is hearing evidence tomorrow.
ii) The judge is hearing the case on Tuesday.

b) जब verb ‘hear’ का अर्थ किसी समाचार को सुनना हो तो इस verb को continuous form में use किया जा सकता है. ध्यान रहे कि verb ‘hear’ के इस अर्थ में इसको केवल और केवल Present Perfect Continuous Tense और Future Continuous Tense में ही use किया जा सकता है; जैसे

i) I have been hearing on communal riots these days a lot.
ii) You’ll be hearing about our new project at the next meeting.

FEEL

a) जब verb ‘feel’ के बाद किसी ऐसे adjective का use हो जो किसी की भावनाओं, शारीरिक अथवा मानसिक दशा को बताते हों तो इसको continuous form में use किया जा सकता है; जैसे

My bother feels better now.
= My brother is feeling better now.

How do you feel?
= How are you feeling?

b) जब verb ‘feel’ का अर्थ किसी के शरीर को छू कर कुछ पता लगाना हो तो इसको continuous form में use किया जा सकता है; जैसे

The doctor is feeling my pulse at the moment.

c) जब verb ‘feel’ का अर्थ किसी वस्तु को छू कर कुछ ढूँढना हो तो इसको continuous form में use किया जा सकता है. ऐसी स्थिति में इसके साथ preposition ‘for’ का use आवश्यक होता है; जैसे

She was feeling for the keyhole in the dark.

TASTE

जब verb ‘taste’ का अर्थ किसी वस्तु के स्वाद चखना हो तो इसको continuous form में use किया जा सकता है; जैसे

She was tasting the milk to see if it was good enough.

SMELL

जब verb ‘smell’ का अर्थ किसी वस्तु को सूंघ कर कुछ पता लगाना हो तो  इसको continuous form में use किया जा सकता है; जैसे

Why are you smelling the oranges? Have they gone bad?

LOOK 

जब verb ‘look’ का अर्थ किसी व्यक्ति अथवा वस्तु को खोजना हो तो इसको continuous form में use किया जा सकता है; जैसे

I’m looking for my keys.

SEE

a) जब verb ‘see’ का अर्थ किसी से नियोजित समय (appointment) पर मिलना हो तो इसको continuous form में use किया जा सकता है; जैसे

i) The minister is seeing me tomorrow.
ii) I’m seeing my doctor tomorrow.

b) जब verb ‘see’ का अर्थ कहीं पर घूमने जाना (visit) हो तो इसको continuous form में use किया जा सकता है; जैसे

i) Rahul is seeing the town.
ii) Mohan is seeing the sights.

c) See somebody off = किसी व्यक्ति को किसी स्थान पर छोड़ने जाना हो तो इसको continuous form में use किया जा सकता है; जैसे

Mohan is seeing us off at the station.

d) See about = किसी वस्तु का प्रबंध करना अथवा कोई पूछताछ करना (making arrangements or enquiries)

They are seeing about a passport for you. (Means they are trying to arrange this.)

e) See to = किसी वस्तु को सही करना

The mechanic is seeing to petrol tank of my car.

2. Verbs of possession
स्वामित्व  जताने वाली verb (verbs of possession) को  continuous form में use नहीं किया जा सकता है. ये verb हैं:

belong

own

possess

owe

INCORRECT: This purse is not belonging to me.
CORRECT: This purse does not belong to me.

INCORRECT: You are owing me Rs 5,000.
CORRECT: You owe me Rs 5,000.

INCORRECT: We are also owning a house in Chandigarh.
CORRECT: We also own a house in Chandigarh.

3. Verbs of Mental Activity
मानसिक क्षमताओं (mental abilities) को अभिव्यक्त करने वाली verbs को  continuous form में use नहीं किया जा सकता है. ये verb हैं:

agree	appreciate	assume	believe	expect
forget	know	mean	perceive	recall
recognize	recollect	remember	suppose	think
trust	understand

INCORRECT: Mohan is agreeing with you on this point.
CORRECT: Mohan agrees with you on this point.

INCORRECT: I’m thinking your pen is not with me.
CORRECT: I think your pen is not with me.

NOTE: मानसिक क्षमताओं (mental abilities) को अभिव्यक्त करने वाली verbs को  जब continuous form में use किया जा सकता है:

ASSUME 

a) जब verb ‘assume’ का अर्थ किसी बात का अनुमान लगाना (presume) हो तो इसको continuous form में use किया जा सकता है; जैसे

My family is assuming that I have enough time to give a thought to do some business.

b) जब verb ‘assume’ का अर्थ किसी देश अथवा संगठन आदि को अपने नियंत्रण में लेना हो तो इसको continuous form में use किया जा सकता है; जैसे

The new chief is assuming power next week.

EXPECT

जब verb ‘Expect’ का अर्थ ‘इंतज़ार करनाअथवा ‘गर्भवती होना’ हो तो इसको continuous form में use किया जा सकता है; जैसे

i) She is expecting my reply at once.
ii) She’s expecting a baby in May.

THINK

जब verb ‘think’ का अर्थ ‘अपने मस्तिष्क का इस्तेमाल करना (किसी बात पर अपनी राय देना नहीं)’ हो तो इसको continuous form में use किया जा सकता है; जैसे

i) I’m thinking about your career plans. (no opinion here)
ii) Mohan is thinking of his shifting to Mumbai.
iii) I’m thinking to join dancing classes.
iv) I am thinking about my homework.

APPRECIATE

जब verb ‘appreciate’ का अर्थ किसी वस्तु की कीमत में वृद्धि होना हो तो इसको continuous form में use किया जा सकता है; जैसे

The value of our house is appreciating by 25 percent each year.

4. Verbs of Emotions
भावनात्मक क्रियाओं (verbs of emotions)  को continuous form में use नहीं किया जा सकता है. वे ये हैं:

admire	adore	want	wish
desire	detest	dislike	fear
hate	like	loathe	love
mind (= care)	pity	respect

INCORRECT: We should be loving our teachers.
CORRECT: We should love our teachers.

INCORRECT: I’m admiring your efforts.
CORRECT: I admire your efforts.

NOTE: भावनात्मक क्रियाओं (verbs of emotions) को  जब continuous form में use किया जा सकता है:

ADMIRE

Admire = किसी व्यक्ति अथवा वस्तु की प्रशंसा करना

We were just admiring your garden.

MIND

Mind = सिर्फ अपनी ही बातों से सरोकार रखना

I’m minding my own business.

5. कुछ अन्य verbs जो continuous form में use नहीं की जा सकतीं:

appear	concern	consist	contain
hold (= contain)	matter	seem	signify
sound (= seem)	keep (= continue)

INCORRECT: The child was appearing unhappy.
CORRECT: The child appeared unhappy.

INCORRECT: The story is concerning a friend of mine.
CORRECT: The story concerns a friend of mine.

INCORRECT: Our house is consisting of five rooms.
CORRECT: Our house consists of five rooms.

INCORRECT: This box is containing of explosives.
CORRECT: This box contains explosives.

NOTE: Verb ‘Appear’ का अर्थ जब किसी पुस्तक आदि को प्रकाशित करना हो अथवा किसी वस्तु का लोगों के सम्मुख प्रकट होना हो तो इसको continuous form में use किया जा सकता है; जैसे

i) My book is appearing in three months.
ii) The sun is appearing on the horizon.
iii) My favourite singer is appearing at the music club tonight. (= My favourite singer is giving a performance at the music club tonight.)

6. Verb HAVE

A) जब verb ‘have’ को continuous form में use किया नहीं जा सकता है; जैसे

Have = किसी के पास कुछ होना (to possess/own)

INCORRECT: I am having many ancient coins.
CORRECT: I have many ancient coins.

INCORRECT: I am having a lot of friends here.
CORRECT:  I have a lot of friends here.

INCORRECT: Anita is having a headache.
CORRECT: Anita has a headache.

INCORRECT: She is having a beautiful big house.
CORRRECT: She has a beautiful big house.

B) जब verb ‘have’ को continuous form में use किया जा सकता है; जैसे

a) Have = किसी को लेने जाना (to receive someone), कुछ स्वीकार करना (to accept), कुछ होने की आज्ञा देना (to allow something to happen)

I’m going to have you at the station.

b) Have = भोजन करना; नहाना; आदि (to take food; to take a bath/a lesson etc.)

i) My mother is having tea now.
ii) My brother can’t meet you immediately, he is having a bath.

c) Have = वाकये में जो कार्य दिया हुआ है उसको करना (to perform the action mentioned)

i) We are having a party in the evening.
ii) We are having a nice holiday here.
iii) We are going to have a picnic soon.

d) Have = किसी व्यक्ति से कुछ करवाना (to cause something to happen or someone to do something)

 I’m having my room washed at the moment.

e) Have = किसी अनुभव की प्राप्ति करना (to experience something)

i) We’re having a wonderful time here in Manali.
ii) He hasn’t been having much luck recently.
iii) We are having eight people at the meeting.

f) Have = बच्चे को जन्म देना (to deliver a baby)

Pooja is having her baby in hospital

NOTE: be having a baby, twins, etc. का अर्थ होता है गर्भवती होना

I hear she is having a baby.

7. Verb BE

आमतौर पर verb ‘be’ को continuous tenses में use नहीं किया जाता. लेकिन कभी-कभी verb ‘be’ को भी continuous tenses में use किया जा सकता है. ऐसा हम तब करते हैं जब ‘be’ का वास्तिविक अर्थ ‘कोई कार्य करना (act)’ अथवा ‘किसी विशेष तरह का व्यवहार करना (behave)’ हो. निम्नलिखित उदाहरणों की तुलना कीजिये:

a-i) Ritu is a careful person. (= रितु एक सतर्क रहने वाली लड़की है; अर्थात ये उसकी nature है.)
ii) Ritu is being careful. (= रितु फिलहाल सतर्कता से कार्य कर रही है; अर्थात वह हमेशा सतर्क रहने वाली लड़की है कि नहीं हमें ये पता नहीं.)

b-i) Is he always so stupid? (अर्थात, क्या पागलपन से काम लेना उसके व्यक्तित्व में सम्मिलित है)
ii) He is being really stupid. (= फ़िलहाल वह पागलपन से काम ले रहा है.)

c-i) Rehana is not usually selfish. (= अर्थात स्वार्थी होना रेहाना के character में आमतौर पर शामिल नहीं है.)
ii) Rehana is being so selfish? (= अर्थात रेहाना फिलहाल स्वार्थपन दिखा रही है.)

d-i) She is sick (= अर्थात उसका स्वास्थ्य सही नहीं है.)
ii) She is being sick (= अर्थात वह vomiting; आदि कर रही है.)

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Verbs that are not used in Continuous Tenses (Explained in English)

The continuous tenses are mainly used for actions done intentionally. There are certain verbs that can’t be used in the continuous form. Verbs falling in this category are called ‘non-continuous verbs’ or ‘stative verbs’. Here are some of the most common such verbs:

If you have a doubt about a particular verb whether it can be used in the continuous or not, ask yourself the question: ‘Is there any real action or activity?’. If there is a real action or activity we can use that verb in the continuous also; if there is no real action or activity we cannot use that verb in the continuous. Here are some of the most common such verbs:

1. Sense Verbs

A sense verb is a verb that describes one of the five senses: sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste. Verbs such as See, Hear, Taste, Feel and Smell are sense verbs.

A) Verb Feel, Hear, See and Smell can’t be in the continuous tenses. We also don’t use the verb Notice and Observe (= notice) in the continuous; e.g.

INCORRECT: I’m smelling something burning.
CORRECT: I smell something burning.

INCORRECT: I’m seeing a bird flying high in the sky.
CORRECT: I see a bird flying high in the sky.

INCORRECT: I’m feeling you are not right.
CORRECT: I feel you are not right.

INCORRECT: Aren’t you feeling the building shaking?
CORRECT: Don’t you feel the building shaking?

B) Linking Verbs

Linking Verbs: Linking verbs do not express an action. Like their name suggests, they simply link the subject of the sentence to the predicate. Some main verbs are called linking verbs (or copular verbs). These verbs are not followed by objects. Instead, they are followed by expressions which give extra information about the subject. Some of the Linking Verbs are:

be (is, am, was, etc.	appear	become	feel
seem	smell	sound	taste
look	remain	get	weigh

i) The cat was friendly.
ii) This shirt feels good.
iii) Ruchi will be 20 in August.
iv) A face appeared at the window. It was Shilpa.
v) He remained outside while his mother went into the hospital.
vi) My bag weighs 4 kg.
vii) Sugar tastes sweet.
viii) This mango smells good.
ix) That cake looks good.

NOTE: When sense verbs and linking verbs can be used in the continuous forms:

HEAR

a) When verb ‘hear’ means to listen something formally/officially such as complaints, evidence, etc.; e.g.

i) The court is hearing evidence tomorrow.
ii) The judge is hearing the case on Tuesday.

b) When verb ‘hear’ means to receive news. ‘Hear’ in this sense is only used in the continuous in the Present Perfect Continuous Tense and the Future Continuous Tense; e.g.

i) I have been hearing on communal riots these days a lot.
ii) You’ll be hearing about our new project at the next meeting.

FEEL

a) When verb ‘feel’ is followed by an adjective that tells someone’s emotions or physical or mental condition; e.g.

My bother feels better now.
= My brother is feeling better now.

How do you feel?
= How are you feeling?

[Though the adjective is not present in the sentence, it’s understood of course; means the speaker wants to know the physical condition of somebody.]

b) When verb ‘feel’ means to touch somebody in order to know something; e.g.

The doctor is feeling my pulse at the moment.

c) When verb ‘feel’ means to try to find something by touching. In such a case we use the preposition ‘for’ with it; e.g.

She was feeling for the keyhole in the dark.

TASTE

When verb ‘taste’ means to test the flavor of something; e.g.

She was tasting the milk to see if it was good enough.

SMELL

When verb ‘smell’ means to sniff at; e.g.

Why are you smelling the oranges? Have they gone bad?

LOOK 

When verb ‘look’ means to search; e.g.

I’m looking for my keys.

SEE

a) When verb ‘see’ means to meet by appointment; e.g.

i) The minister is seeing me tomorrow.
ii) I’m seeing my doctor tomorrow.

b) When verb ‘see’ means to visit; e.g.

i) Rahul is seeing the town.
ii) Mohan is seeing the sights.

c) See somebody off = to go with a person to the place from which that person is to leave; e.g.

Mohan is seeing us off at the station.

d) See about = making arrangements or enquiries

They are seeing about a passport for you. (Means they are trying to arrange this.)

e) See to = to put right

The mechanic is seeing to petrol tank of my car.

2. Verbs of possession
Verbs of possession are not used in the continuous. They are:

belong

own

possess

owe

INCORRECT: This purse is not belonging to me.
CORRECT: This purse does not belong to me.

INCORRECT: You are owing me Rs 5,000.
CORRECT: You owe me Rs 5,000.

INCORRECT: We are also owning a house in Chandigarh.
CORRECT: We also own a house in Chandigarh.

3. Verbs of Mental Activity
Verbs of mental abilities are not used in the continuous. They are:

agree	appreciate	assume	believe	expect
forget	know	mean	perceive	recall
recognize	recollect	remember	suppose	think
trust	understand

INCORRECT: Mohan is agreeing with you on this point.
CORRECT: Mohan agrees with you on this point.

INCORRECT: I’m thinking your pen is not with me.
CORRECT: I think your pen is not with me.

NOTE: Some of the above verbs in certain meanings can be used in the continuous forms; e.g.

ASSUME 

a) We can use verb ‘assume’ in the continuous when it means to presume; e.g.

My family is assuming that I have enough time to give a thought to do some business.

b) We can use verb ‘assume’ in the continuous when it means to take control of a country or an organization, etc.; e.g.

The new chief is assuming power next week.

EXPECT

‘Expect’ meaning ‘await’ or ‘to be pregnant’ can be used in the continuous; e.g.

i) She is expecting my reply at once.
ii) She’s expecting a baby in May.

THINK

When verb ‘think’ means ‘to use your brain to solve a problem (not to give an opinion about something)’ we can use it in the continuous; e.g.

i) I’m thinking about your career plans. (no opinion here)
ii) Mohan is thinking of his shifting to Mumbai.
iii) I’m thinking to join dancing classes.
iv) I am thinking about my homework.

APPRECIATE

When verb ‘appreciate’ means ‘to increase in value’, we can use it in the continuous; e.g.

 The value of our house is appreciating by 25 percent each year.

4. Verbs of Emotions
Verbs of emotions are not used in the continuous. They are:

admire	adore	want	wish
desire	detest	dislike	fear
hate	like	loathe	love
mind (= care)	pity	respect

INCORRECT: We should be loving our teachers.
CORRECT: We should love our teachers.

INCORRECT: I’m admiring your efforts.
CORRECT: I admire your efforts.

NOTE: Some of the above verbs in certain meanings can be used in the continuous forms; e.g.

ADMIRE

Admire = Look at something with pleasure

We were just admiring your garden.

MIND

Mind = to look after something

I’m minding my own business. (means ‘I’m looking after my own business’)

5. Other verbs that are not used in the continuous

appear	concern	consist	contain
hold (= contain)	matter	seem	signify
sound (= seem)	keep (= continue)

INCORRECT: The child was appearing unhappy.
CORRECT: The child appeared unhappy.

INCORRECT: The story is concerning a friend of mine.
CORRECT: The story concerns a friend of mine.

INCORRECT: Our house is consisting of five rooms.
CORRECT: Our house consists of five rooms.

INCORRECT: This box is containing of explosives.
CORRECT: This box contains explosives.

NOTE: ‘Appear’ meaning to be published or to come before the public can be used in the continuous.

i) My book is appearing in three months.
ii) The sun is appearing on the horizon.
iii) My favourite singer is appearing at the music club tonight. (= My favourite singer is giving a performance at the music club tonight.)

6. Verb HAVE

A) When verb ‘have’ can’t be used in the continuous

Have = to possess/own

INCORRECT: I am having many ancient coins.
CORRECT: I have many ancient coins.

INCORRECT: I am having a lot of friends here.
CORRECT:  I have a lot of friends here.

INCORRECT: Anita is having a headache.
CORRECT: Anita has a headache.

INCORRECT: She is having a beautiful big house.
CORRRECT: She has a beautiful big house.

B) When verb ‘have’ can be used in the continuous

a) Have = to receive someone, to accept, to allow something to happen

I’m going to have you at the station.

b) Have = to take food; to take a bath/a lesson etc.,

i) My mother is having tea now.
ii) My brother can’t meet you immediately, he is having a bath.

c) Have = to perform the action mentioned

i) We are having a party in the evening.
ii) We are having a nice holiday here.
iii) We are going to have a picnic soon.

d) Have = to cause something to happen or someone to do something

 I’m having my room washed at the moment.

e) Have = to experience something

i) We’re having a wonderful time here in Manali.
ii) He hasn’t been having much luck recently.
iii) We are having eight people at the meeting.
iv) I am having fun now. (= I am experiencing fun now.)

f) Have = to deliver a baby; e.g.

Pooja is having her baby in hospital

NOTE: be having a baby, twins, etc. means to be pregnant; e.g.

I hear she is having a baby.

7. Verb BE

Usually we do not use main verb ‘be’ with continuous tenses. Sometimes, however, we can use main verb ‘be’ with a continuous tense. This is when the real sense of ‘be’ is ‘act’ or ‘behave’. Also, the action is temporary. Compare the examples below:

a-i) Ritu is a careful person. (= Ritu is always careful – it’s her nature.)
ii) Ritu is being careful. (= Ritu is acting carefully now, but maybe he is not always careful – we don’t know.)

b-i) Is he always so stupid? (= Is that his personality?)
ii) He is being really stupid. (= He is behaving really stupidly at this moment.)

c-i) Rehana is not usually selfish. (= It is not Rehana’s character to be selfish.)
ii) Rehana is being so selfish? (= Rehana is acting so selfishly at the moment?)

d-i) She is sick (= she is not well.)
ii) She is being sick (= she is vomiting.)

For more chapters/topics on English Grammar read the following book authored by me.

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For English Practice Sets on various topics read the following book authored by me.

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