The rule, as people use it
Action verbs describe something a person or thing does: run, cook, write, call, open, drive. They're the verbs you can watch happening. Because they're actions, they fit comfortably with -ing when the action is going on right now: "I'm driving." "She's writing an email."
A second group of verbs describes a state, not an action: know, like, love, want, need, believe, understand, own, seem. You can't watch someone "knowing". These verbs usually stay in the simple form even when you mean right now. So you say "I know what you mean", not "I'm knowing what you mean", and "I need a break", not "I'm needing a break".
That's the mistake worth fixing first, because it's the one people notice. When you're about to add -ing, ask yourself: could someone film this? If yes, -ing works. If no, keep it simple. A few verbs sit in both groups with different meanings. "I think it's too late" is an opinion, a state. "I'm thinking about moving" is a process going on in your head, so -ing is fine. "I have a car" is owning. "I'm having lunch" is doing.
Examples
Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.
Fill the gap
Type the missing words, then check. The full sentence plays when you get it.
- 1
Sorry, I can't talk. I'm (drive) right now.
- 2
I (know) the answer, but I can't remember it.
- 3
Mateo (play) tennis every Saturday.
- 4
She (want) a new phone for her birthday.
- 5
Hold on, I'm (look) for my keys.
- 6
Do you (understand) the instructions?
- 7
We're (have) lunch at the moment. Can I call you later?
- 8
This soup (taste) amazing.
Practice · 3 min
Stand up and look around you, or picture a busy café. Say six sentences about what people are doing right now, with -ing: "A man's reading the menu." Then say four sentences about what you know, want, like or need, without -ing: "I want a coffee." Write all ten down and check that no state verb has -ing on it.
Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.