Stative vs Dynamic Verbs: Progressive with Always / Forever (C2)

Your task

Fill in the gap in each sentence with the correct word or phrase.

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Keep practising! Focus on the explanations below.

Tom me when I try to speak — it's so rude! (always / interrupt)

Correct answer: is always interrupting

A habitual annoying behaviour with "always" takes the marked progressive → "is always interrupting". The simple "always interrupts" is grammatical but loses the irritation flavour the exclamation calls for.

My boss his mind about the deadline — we never know where we stand. (forever / change)

Correct answer: is forever changing

"Forever + progressive" expresses exasperated repeated action → "is forever changing". The simple "changes" would describe a neutral habit, missing the exasperation.

My grandfather jokes that nobody finds funny except him. (always / tell)

Correct answer: is always telling

"Always + progressive" can also carry affectionate amusement → "is always telling". The simple "always tells" would describe a neutral habit, losing the indulgent tone.

The twins over who gets the bigger slice of cake. (constantly / argue)

Correct answer: are constantly arguing

"Constantly + progressive" with a plural subject → "are constantly arguing". The simple "argue" would be neutral; the progressive frames the bickering as a recurring annoyance.

Sasha delicious cakes to the office — we love it! (always / bring)

Correct answer: is always bringing

"Always + progressive" with positive colouring marks a delightful repeated kindness → "is always bringing". The simple "brings" would just state a habit, losing the appreciation.

Our neighbours loud parties on weeknights — it's exhausting. (forever / have)

Correct answer: are forever having

"Forever + progressive" with a plural subject and irritated frame → "are forever having". Note: "have" here is the dynamic "host" sense, so the progressive is grammatical; the stative "possess" sense doesn't apply.

My phone in the middle of important conversations. (always / ring)

Correct answer: is always ringing

"Always + progressive" frames a recurring bad-timing event as exasperating → "is always ringing". The simple "rings" would be neutrally habitual.

The cat scratches on the new furniture, despite the scratching post. (forever / leave)

Correct answer: is forever leaving

"Forever + progressive" with a tone of resigned amusement → "is forever leaving". The simple "leaves" would lose the resigned-amusement reading the second clause carries.

They how busy they are — I'm tired of hearing it. (always / complain)

Correct answer: are always complaining

"Always + progressive" with overt irritation in the next clause → "are always complaining". The simple "complain" would describe a neutral habit, missing the exasperation.

He his colleagues for small mistakes — it's bad management. (continually / criticize)

Correct answer: is continually criticizing

"Continually + progressive" with explicit criticism in the next clause → "is continually criticizing". Both AmE "criticizing" and BrE "criticising" are accepted.

The kids a fuss about bedtime, no matter what we try. (always / make)

Correct answer: are always making

"Always + progressive" expresses repeated exasperation → "are always making". "Make a fuss" is a dynamic action, so the progressive form is grammatical.

Marcus his car keys in random places around the house. (forever / misplace)

Correct answer: is forever misplacing

"Forever + progressive" with affectionate exasperation → "is forever misplacing". The simple "misplaces" loses the wry, repeated-incident flavour.

She from one project to another without finishing any of them. (constantly / jump)

Correct answer: is constantly jumping

"Constantly + progressive" with explicit incompletion in the next clause → "is constantly jumping". The simple "jumps" would be a neutral habit; the progressive carries the frustration.

Lately, our team lead deadlines without consulting us. (constantly / push back)

Correct answer: is constantly pushing back

"Constantly + progressive" with a multi-word verb → "is constantly pushing back". The phrasal verb "push back" takes the -ing on the main verb.

My niece me to dinner whenever I visit — she's such a generous host! (always / invite)

Correct answer: is always inviting

"Always + progressive" with appreciation in the next clause → "is always inviting". The progressive carries the warmth that the simple "invites" would flatten.

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