Verbs with Two Meanings Some verbs have two different meanings or senses. For one sense
we must use a simple tense. For the other sense we can use a continuous
or simple tense. For example, the verb to think has two different
senses: - to believe, to have an opinion
I think Ricky Martin is
sexy.
- to reflect, to use your brain to solve a problem
I am
thinking about my homework.
 | | If you have a doubt about a particular verb, ask
yourself the question: "Is there any real action or activity?" | | In sense 1 there is no real action, no activity. This sense is
called "stative". In sense 2 there is a kind of action, a kind of activity.
This sense is called "dynamic". When we use the stative sense, we use a simple tense. When we
use the dynamic sense, we can use a simple or continuous tense,
depending on the situation. Look at the examples in the table below:
Stative sense
(no real action) | Dynamic sense
(a kind of action) |
| Simple only | Continuous | Simple | | I think she is beautiful. | Be quiet. I'm thinking. | I will think about this problem tomorrow. | | I don't consider that he is the right man for the
job. | We are considering your job application and will
give you our answer in a few days. | We consider every job application very
carefully. | | This table measures 4 x 6 feet. | She is measuring the room for a new carpet. | A good carpenter measures his wood carefully. | | Does the wine taste good? | I was tasting the wine when I dropped the
glass. | I always taste wine before I drink it. | | Mary has three children. | Please phone later. We are having dinner now. | We have dinner at 8pm every day. | Be and Continuous Tenses
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