Using the present simple and continuous

Using the present continuous

page 7 of 9

With verbs representing likes and dislikes

Verbs representing likes and dislikes, eg love, hate, resent, do not typically occur with the present continuous. However, this choice of tense is possible where what is liked or disliked is an event in progress:

He's loving every minute of it. (Bank of English)

Here, loving is used because whatever it is that he loves is still going on.

The present continuous is also sometimes used with "likes and dislikes" verbs which refer to events that will take place in the future

We're all looking forward to the summer break. (Exhausted Teacher)

For further information about using verbs related to likes and dislikes in the present continuous, see Representing thinking, perceiving, liking and desiring: Using verb patterns to represent likes and dislikes (p 11).

Introduction
Actions or events in progress
Repeated actions
Planned actions
With verbs representing thinking
With verbs representing perception
With verbs representing likes and dislikes
With verbs representing desires and needs
With verbs representing being and having