Unit 4. Present Continuous and Present Simple (2) (I am doing and I do)
(настоящее продолженное и простое настоящее времена II)

We use Continuous tenses only for actions and happenings (they are eating / it is raining etc.). Some verbs (for example, know and like) are not action verbs. You cannot say "I am knowing" or "they are liking"; you can only say "I know", "they like".
The following verbs are not normally used in continuous tenses:

like
love
hate
want
need
prefer

know
realise
suppose
mean
understand
believe

remember
belong
contain
consist
depend
seem

I'm hungry. I want something to eat. (not I'm wanting)
Do you understand what I mean?
Ann doesn't seem very happy at the moment.

When think means "believe", do not use the Continuous:

What do you think (= believe) will happen? (not what are you thinking)

but

You look serious. What are you thinking about? (= What is going on in your mind?)
I'm thinking of giving up my job. (= I am considering)

When have means "possess" etc., do not use the Continuous (See Unit 17. Have and have got):

We're enjoying our holiday. We have a nice room in the hotel. (not we're having)

but

We're enjoying our holiday. We're having a great time.

See hear smell taste
We normally use the Present Simple (not Continuous) with these verbs:

Do you see that man over there? (not are you seeing)
This room smells. Let's open a window.

We often use can + see/ hear/ smell/ taste:

Listen! Can you hear something?

But you can use the Continuous with see (I'm seeing) when the meaning is "having a meeting with" (especially in the future - see Unit 19. Present tenses (I am doing/ I do) for the future):

I'm seeing the manager tomorrow morning.

He is selfish and He is being selfish
The Present Continuous of be is I am being / he is being / you are being etc.
I'm being = "I'm behaving / I'm acting". Compare:

I can't understand why he's being so selfish. He isn't usually like that.

being

but

He never thinks about other people. He is very selfish.

not

We use am/ is/ are being to say how somebody is behaving. It is not usually possible in other sentences:

It's hot today. (not it is being hot)
Sarah is very tired. (not is being tired)

Look and feel
You can use the Present Simple or Continuous when you say how somebody looks or feels now:

You look well today. or You're looking well today.
How do you feel now? or How are you feeling now?

but

I usually feel tired in the morning. (not I'm usually feeling)

See Unit 4. Present Continuous and Present Simple (2) (I am doing and I do)
See Unit 17. Have and have got
See Unit 19. Present tenses (I am doing/ I do) for the future

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Unit 4. Present Continuous and Present Simple (2) (I am doing and I do) (настоящее продолженное и простое настоящее времена II)

Unit 4. Present Continuous and Present Simple (2) (I am doing and I do)
(настоящее продолженное и простое настоящее времена II)