Is it a state?
The cat is having kittens!
No, it´s a process; the cat´s giving birth to kittens. A real activity.
We´re smelling the flowers carefully. We need scented flowers.
Yes, it´s a real activity
My dog is smelling sweet; he´s just come home from the pet groomer!
WRONG
The house needs new furniture.
Right. A need, a condition, not an activity
This racing car is costing an arm and a leg!
Wrong - This racing car costs an arm and a leg! A characteristic, quality, a condition: The car is too expensive.
He is being cheeky at school.
No, it´s a type of behaviour; a real activity.
We are having a hard time at the contest!
Yes, they are experiencing difficulties. Active/Dynamic
He is looking handsome today!
Wrong. He looks handsome today. It´s a condition or a state - Appearance; characeristic, quality.
It is seeming extremely difficult.
Wrong. Perception- (OK) It seems extremely difficult.
The sofa is too big! It´s measuring two metres; it doesn´t fit in here.
Wrong: The sofa is too big! It measures two metres; it doesn´t fit in here. Quality, characteristic, condition, state - Not a real activity.
The dog has three puppies.
Yes, it is a state or a condition; possession.
Helen is thinking about moving abroad.
Yes, there´s mental activity to make a decision. Dynamic - not an opinion.
I am seeing my hairdresser tomorrow.
Yes, right. It´s an appointment.
I am fearing fierce dogs like the one my neighbour owns.
Wrong. It´s a state or a condition - a feeling: I fear dogs like the one my neighbour owns.
The box is too heavy now. It weighs fifty kilos. Let´s take some items out.
Right. "Weighs" refers to a state or a condition, not a dynamic activity.
He thought the musical "Cats" was amazing.
Yes, it´s a state - an opinion.
We are feeling the soft fur of the dog.
Yes, it´s an activity; touching and feeling the type of texture voluntarily.
The water is feeling freezing cold!
Wrong. The water feels freezing cold! Senses. NOT voluntary
"I hate noisy car drivers" vs "I am hating noisy car drivers".
I hate noisy car drivers: it´s a feeling - a preference
"He is having kittens" vs "He has kittens"
"He has kittens" (He canot give birth to cats!)
We see the river from our bedroom window.
Yes, it´s a sense of perception. "Seeing" cannot be used in this case -
Emilia and Alec have been seeing each other for two months now.
Yes, it´s an activity. They have been dating.
The bike is needing to be washed.
Wrong: The bike needs to be washed. State/Condition - Not a real activity.
Now, I´m seeing what you mean.
Wrong- Now, I see what you mean. The person understands. A mental state, cognition.
"I´m smelling a rat" vs "I smell a rat"
"I smell a rat" - I suspect that something is wrong or tricky. Mental state, cognition, perception. If you are smelling a rat, you would be sniffing at one, trying to get its smell