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Verbs without –ing

No –ing after these verbs.

A hot-air balloon has escaped and a man is hanging under it.

I am not loving this!

Some verbs are not used with – ing. These are called Stative Verbs. They talk about a state, not an action.
Remember these:

Like, love, hate, need, prefer, want, know, realise, suppose, mean, understand, believe, remember, belong, contain, consist, seem.

• I’m loving it. WRONG
• I love it. CORRECT
• I am knowing Michael for six years. WRONG
• I have known Michael for six years. CORRECT
• I am seeing Freddie, but he can’t see me. WRONG
• I see Freddie, but he can’t see me. CORRECT
• I am seeing Freddie tonight. CORRECT
(Dynamic use: seeing means meeting in this sentence)

Remember: No knowing. No loving it.

  • Exercise 1

    Which of the following sentences are correct?

    Which of the following sentences are correct?

  • Remember: No knowing. No loving it.

    I have been seeing Benny for five months, but I think he is boring.

     A man and a woman are sitting on a toilet and using their mobile phones.

  • Verbs without –ing
    Do this video lesson if you need more help. (8:30)

    Irregular verbs
    These irregular verbs cause the most problems. Remember them. (3:15)

    Vocabulary Video Lesson: Cults 2
    This vocabulary lesson will help you define belief, secrecy, brotherhood, doctrine, self-esteem, manipulate and God squad. (8:00)