Q: What is the difference between "I think" and "I am thinking"?

This is a matter of opinion vs. process . "I think" is used to state a belief or opinion (e.g., "I think the movie is good"). "I am thinking" describes the active mental effort of considering something (e.g., "I am thinking about moving to London"). If you can replace the verb with "In my opinion," use the simple tense.

Q: Why can I say "I am having a baby" but not "I am having a car"?

This is because "having a baby" refers to the process of pregnancy or labor, which is dynamic. "Having a car" refers to legal ownership , which is a permanent state. Since states do not have a "process," they stay in the simple tense.

Q: What are some advanced mixed verbs?

Beyond the basics, verbs like mind , measure , and matter can occasionally act as mixed verbs. For example, "This weighs five pounds" (state) versus "The jeweler is weighing the diamond" (action).

Question 1

Why does McDonald's say "I'm lovin' it" if love is a stative verb?

Accepted Answer

Traditionally, "love" is a stative verb. However, native speakers often use the continuous form ("loving") to emphasize a vivid, temporary experience or an active enjoyment of the moment. While common in casual speech and marketing, you should stick to "I love it" in formal writing or grammar exams.

Question 2

What is the difference between "I think" and "I am thinking"?

Accepted Answer

This is a matter of opinion vs. process. "I think" is used to state a belief or opinion (e.g., "I think the movie is good"). "I am thinking" describes the active mental effort of considering something (e.g., "I am thinking about moving to London"). If you can replace the verb with "In my opinion," use the simple tense.

Question 3

Can "be" be a mixed verb?

Accepted Answer

Yes. "He is annoying" describes a permanent personality trait (stative). "He is being annoying" describes a temporary, deliberate behavior happening right now (dynamic). This distinction is vital for describing someone’s current mood versus their general character.

Question 4

Why do people say "I'm feeling sick" instead of "I feel sick"?

Accepted Answer

"Feel" is a rare case where both forms are often interchangeable when describing health or emotions. However, "I am feeling" is frequently used to emphasize that the sensation is happening right now or is a change from your normal state, whereas "I feel" can be used for both temporary and long-term states.

Question 5

Why can I say "I am having a baby" but not "I am having a car"?

Accepted Answer

This is because "having a baby" refers to the process of pregnancy or labor, which is dynamic. "Having a car" refers to legal ownership, which is a permanent state. Since states do not have a "process," they stay in the simple tense.

Question 6

What are some advanced mixed verbs?

Accepted Answer

Beyond the basics, verbs like mind, measure, and matter can occasionally act as mixed verbs. For example, "This weighs five pounds" (state) versus "The jeweler is weighing the diamond" (action).