Some verbs cannot be used in the progressive tenses. They are called non-action verbs.
Non-action verbs often point to emotions, relationships, senses, or thoughts.
The most common non-action verbs are:
•adore – I adore those shoes!
•agree – She agrees with his thoughts on the story.
•appear – He appears to be sad.
•appreciate – I appreciated your help very much.
•astonish – We were astonished at how much she had aged.
•be – Who is he supposed to be?
•believe – Do you believe me now?
•belong – He doesn’t belong to this world.
•concern – This is an issue that should concern everyone.
•consist – The cake consists of raw eggs, milk, and vanilla extract.
•contain – Each large crate contains 12 boxes.
•cost – The trip will cost you $1000.
•deny – Did you deny your love for him?
•depend – We are depending on you.
•deserve – You deserve a holiday.
•detest – I detest any kind of cruelty.
•disagree – I disagree with you about that.
•dislike – I dislike the idea.
•doubt – He may come back tomorrow with the money, but I doubt it.
•equal – 16 ounces equals one pound.
•feel – I feel happy.
•fit – The refrigerator won’t fit in our kitchen.
•hate – Kelly hates her teacher.
•have – I have a problem.
•hear – Can you hear me?
•imagine – Can you imagine how it feels to be blind?
•impress – She impressed us with her sincerity.
•include – The hotel room charge includes breakfast.
•involve – The accident involved two cars and a truck.
•know – I know what you did.
•lack – If you lack anything, ask for it.
•like – I like you.
•loathe – I loathe doing housework.
•look – I look fat in the picture.
•love – I love shopping.
•matter – It doesn’t matter.
•mean – What do you mean?
•mind – I don’t mind.
•need – I don’t need my phone.
•owe – He owes her an apology.
•own – Their family owns this house.
•please – You can’t please me.
•possess – She possesses an unusual talent.
•prefer – I prefer coffee over tea.
•promise – I promise, I’m not lying.
•realize – Suddenly I realized (that) I was lost.
•recognize – I didn’t recognize you.
•remember – Do you remember me?
•resemble – You resemble your mother very closely.
•satisfy – I am not really satisfied with the job you did.
•see – Can you see what is happening?
•seem – You seem nervous.
•smell – Just smell this perfume!
•sound – You sound great!
•suppose – I suppose you’re right.
•surprise – The news surprised everyone.
•taste – The food tastes good.
•think – Everybody thinks she’s the best dancer.
•understand – I don’t understand you.
•want – I want to eat.
•weigh – I weigh 120 pounds.
•wish – I wish for a new car.