TENSE FORMS (2) FCE USE OF ENGLISH

FCE USE OF ENGLISH

TENSE FORMS (2)

Some stative verbs (be, love, see, smell, taste, think etc.) have continuous forms but there is a difference in meaning. State Action • I see exactly what you mean. (= I understand) • She is seeing a lawyer tonight. (= She’s meeting) • Peter thinks he knows everything. (= He believes) • He is thinking of studying Law. (= He is considering) • A baby’s skin feels very smooth. (= It has a smooth texture) • He is feeling the engine to see how hot it is. (= He is touching) • They have a villa in Portugal. (= They own) • He is having problems. (= He is experiencing) • This soup tastes of garlic. (= It has the taste of garlic) • Why are you tasting the curry? (= Why are you testing the flavour?) • The room smells of fresh flowers. (= It has the smell of) • Why are you smelling that meat? (= Why are you checking its smell?) Fill in with present simple or continuous. 1 A: 1 ____ am seeing ____ (see) an old friend tonight. B: I _____________ (see) – so you won’t be able to meet me after work, will you? 2 A: Why _____________ (you/smell) the milk? B: It _____________ (smell) a bit strange. I think it might have gone off. 3 A: _____________ (you/enjoy) reading Jane Austen’s novels? B: Not usually, but I _____________ (enjoy) this particular one. 4 A: Why _____________ (John/be) so bad tempered today? B: I don’t know. He _____________ (be) usually so easy to get on with. 5 A: Carol and I _____________ (think) of getting married. B: _____________ (you/think) that’s a good idea? You haven’t known each other for very long. 6 A: _____________ (you/have) the phone number of a good business consultant? B: Why? _____________ (you/have) problems at work. 7 A: _____________ (the singer/appear) tonight? B: Unfortunately not. She _____________ (appear) to have lost her voice. 8 A: Why _____________ (you/taste) the baby’s drink? B: It _____________ (taste) a little bitter. I think I’ll add some more sugar. 9 A: I hear the Fords _____________ (look) for a bigger house. B: Yes, it _____________ (look) as if they are going to move. 10 A: How much _____________ (the parcel/weigh)? B: I’m not sure. The assistant _____________ (weigh) it at the moment.

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