We use continuous forms for actions and happenings that have started but not finished (they are eating / it is raining etc.). Some verbs (for example, know and like) are not normally used in this way. We don’t say ‘I am knowing’ or ‘they are liking’; we say ‘I know‘, ‘they like‘.
The following verbs are not normally used in the present continuous:
Like, love, hate, want, need, prefer, know, realize, suppose, mean, understand, believe, remember
Present continuous (I am doing)
We use the continuous for things happening at or around the time of speaking. The action is not complete.
“The water is boiling. Can you turn it off?”
“Listen to those people. What language are they speaking?”
“Let’s go out. It isn’t raining now.”
We use the continuous for temporary situations:
“I’m living with some friends until I find a place of my own.”
I am doing something = I’m in the middle of doing it; I’ve started doing it and I haven’t finished yet:
“Please don’t make so much noise. I’m trying to do work. (not I try)
“Where’s Mark?” ”He‘s having a shower.” (not He has a shower)
“Let’s go out now. It isn’t raining any more.” (not It doesn’t rain)
“What’s all that noise? What‘s going on?” (= What’s happening?)
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