A small group of verbs are called “non-continuous.” Some people refer to them as “state” or “stative” verbs because they describe states that last for some time. Non-continuous verbs are the opposite from normal “dynamic” or “action” verbs because they do not involve some sort of physical action that can be seen with your eyes.

❎ “Non-continuous” verbs are rarely used in continuous verb tenses (e.g. present continuous, past continuous, future continuous). Instead they appear in the simple form.

Examples:

① The Prime Minister had wanted the activity to stop for five weeks when the law finally passed. [past perfect continuous verb tense] The Prime Minister had been wanting the activity to stop for five weeks when the law finally passed. [past perfect continuous verb tense]

② I dislike him now. [simple present verb tense] I am disliking him now. [present continuous verb tense]

③ It will cost too much. [future verb tense using “will”] It will be costing too much. [future continuous verb tense]