Using the present simple and continuous
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Using the present continuous | page 9 of 9 |
With verbs representing being and having
Verbs representing "having" such as have, comprise, consist of and include
and verbs representing "being" (linking verbs 
)
such as be, seem, symbolise and equal do not typically occur with the
present continuous. However, this choice of tense is possible where the verb represents
some kind of action or behaviour. Compare the following sentences:
He is kind.
He is being kind.
The first example means that he is characteristically kind while the second one means that he is deliberately being kind at the moment. Here are more examples:
She is silly.
This means that she is silly and it is her nature.
She is being silly.
This means that she is acting in a silly way.
There are also a number of linking verbs that represent some kind of change of state, such as become, get, turn, and grow. With these verbs, the present continuous is regularly used:
Exercise bikes and rowing machines are becoming more popular.
(Microconcord Corpus B)
It's getting late. (Bank of English)
Students sometimes treat these change-type linking verbs as if they were "ordinary" linking verbs and use the present simple with them to refer to present situations:
Nowadays, AIDS becomes a pressing problem. (TeleNex Students)
For further information about linking verbs, see 
Representing being and having: Using linking verbs.
For further information about possession verbs, see Representing being and having: Using have and other possession
verbs.
With verbs representing being and having
