All Ears English Podcast – Episode 2223: “Are You Thinking This is Tricky English Grammar?”

Date: June 25, 2024
Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Aubrey Carter

Episode Overview

In this second part of a three-part series, Lindsay and Aubrey tackle the evolving use of stative verbs in English, focusing specifically on thoughts and opinions. While textbooks often teach that stative verbs (like think, know, believe, understand) are not used in the progressive (–ing) form, the hosts explain how modern spoken American English sometimes bends this rule. The discussion is aimed at helping intermediate-to-advanced learners sound more natural in conversation and understand what native speakers are really saying.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Listener Question: Stative Verbs in the Present Continuous

[03:17–03:56]
A listener asks why certain stative verbs appear in the progressive tense (e.g., "Are you thinking?") even though most ESL instruction says that's incorrect.

Aubrey’s Take:

• This use is primarily spoken English and reflective of how the language is always evolving.
• Aubrey describes it as “trendy” and not something that was common “many years ago.”

  “It's really more for spoken English. Yes and yes, because language evolves… It's like trendy.” – Aubrey [03:56]

2. Spoken vs. Written English

[06:18–06:40]

• These progressive state verbs are generally not used in formal written English, only in speech or casual written communication (texts, informal emails).

  “If I were writing some kind of report... I would rework my thought. I think we must have made a mistake.” – Lindsay [06:18]

3. Stative Verbs You CAN Use in the Progressive Form

[06:03–08:14]

a) Think

• “I'm thinking we made a mistake.” → Emphasizes momentary, in-the-moment thought.

b) Agree

• “I'm agreeing with you.” → Used rarely for emphasis in a heated or clarifying moment, not in general.

c) Doubt

• “I'm doubting myself.” → Momentary lack of confidence.

d) Guess

• “I'm guessing he won't like this.” → Shows your present, active speculation.

e) Others

• “Imagine” and “remember” can sometimes follow this pattern (e.g., “I'm remembering what happened last week”).

“If you have to pick a few to start using in present progressive to sound more native... these are the ones you want to choose.” – Aubrey [08:29]

4. Stative Verbs You CANNOT Use in the Progressive Form

[09:27–12:28]

a) Believe

• Wrong: “I'm believing you.”
• Correct: “I believe you.”

b) Prefer

• Wrong: “I'm preferring oatmeal cookies.”
• Correct: “I prefer oatmeal cookies.”

  “Prefer is definitely a very muted verb.” – Lindsay [10:46]

c) Know

• Wrong: “I'm knowing this.”
• Correct: “I know this.”

d) Mean

• Wrong: “She's meaning what she's saying.”
• Correct: “She means what she says.”

e) Understand

• Wrong: “I'm understanding you.”
• Correct: “I understand.”

Note on Noun/Adjective Forms:
Words like "meaning" and "understanding" exist as nouns/adjectives, which can confuse learners, but they should not be used as progressive verbs in the sense of “mean” or “understand.”

“If you see the word ‘meaning,’ that is not a stative verb being used. ...English is tricky and these words also exist in other forms.” – Aubrey [11:16]

5. Why the Distinction?

• The ability to use a progressive form relates to whether the situation is momentary (action-like) versus fixed (state-like).
• More emotional, dynamic verbs (e.g., "love" or "think") more readily shift into the progressive than static ones (e.g., "prefer," "know”).

“What's the temperature level of what you're saying? Prefer is definitely a very muted verb.” – Lindsay [10:46]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the evolving nature of English:

  “Language is evolving. It's right. Casual English. It's not a grammar error.” – Aubrey [13:32]

• On native, conversational patterns:

  “What are you thinking? That's such a good point. We don't say, what do you think?” – Aubrey [14:09]

  “If you want to tell someone you understand where they're coming from, just say 'I understand.'” – Lindsay [12:09]

• On confidence using these forms:

  “Native English speakers are not going to hear this and think it's a mistake... It sounds very natural.” – Aubrey [15:38]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:08] – Real-life scheduling example with “When are you thinking?”
• [03:56] – Aubrey’s take on evolving language & spoken English
• [06:03]–[08:49] – Stative verbs you can and can’t use with –ing
• [09:27]–[12:28] – Why some verbs never take the progressive form
• [13:08]–[13:58] – Role-play: using stative verbs in context
• [14:09]–[14:49] – Breakdown of “What are you thinking?” vs “What do you think?”
• [15:38] – Reassurance about native-speaker usage and why learners shouldn’t fear making these “gray area” choices.

Example Roleplay: (Restaurant Scenario)

[13:08–13:58]

• “This place seems amazing. I’m thinking I want to taste everything on this menu.”
• “Well, I usually prefer the place in midtown, but I’m excited to try something new.”
• “I’m guessing we couldn’t get in there, though. I doubt we could get a reservation.”

The hosts use this role-play to demonstrate how these “gray area” progressive verbs function organically in real life, especially in casual dining or decision-making situations.

Takeaway & Tone

Lindsay and Aubrey encourage listeners:

• Don’t be afraid of the “gray areas” of English; using progressive stative verbs in conversation can help you sound more native and make connections.
• Focus on connection, not perfection—even with nontraditional grammar.
• Use progressive forms for certain stative verbs to express momentary thoughts or feelings and invite others into your thinking.

“Stative verbs are such a great way to connect because often these are about what you're feeling, what you're thinking, and you want to be able to share that... to deepen your connections.” – Aubrey [17:45]

Summary Table: Which Stative Verbs Work with “–ing”?

| Verb | Progressive Okay? | Example | Not Okay Example | |:----------- |:----------------:|:------------------------------------- |:--------------------- | | Think | ✅ | “I’m thinking we made a mistake.” | – | | Agree | ✅ (rare/emphasis)| “I’m agreeing with you!” | – | | Doubt | ✅ | “I’m doubting myself right now.” | – | | Guess | ✅ | “I’m guessing he won’t like this.” | – | | Believe | ❌ | – | "I'm believing you." | | Prefer | ❌ | – | "I'm preferring this."| | Know | ❌ | – | "I'm knowing this." | | Mean | ❌ | – | "She’s meaning this." | | Understand | ❌ | – | "I’m understanding." |

Final Thoughts

This episode demystifies a nuanced feature of spoken American English—when and how to use progressive forms with stative verbs. The guidance is clear: Use the progressive intentionally in casual conversation to show your live, in-the-moment thought process, but avoid it with certain verbs and in formal contexts.

Key takeaway:

"Connection, not perfection—even in grammar. Use what feels right to connect."