Certain verbs in English cannot be used in a continuous form, these are referred to as stative verbs (Zustandsverben), they would only be used in simple or perfect tenses.
for example;
(wrong)They are thinking the system needs replacing - (Correct) they think the system needs replacing completely.
(wrong)Delivery is costing almost twice as much - (Correct) delivery costs almost twice as much.
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Below are the main stative verbs, grouped into categories and with German translations.
Thoughts and opinions:
agree – zustimmen.
believe – glauben.
doubt – zweifeln.
guess – raten/ vermuten.
imagine – vorstellen.
know – Wissen.
mean – bedeuten.
recognise – anerkennen.
remember – sich erinnern.
suspect – verdächtigen / vermuten.
think – denken.
understand – verstehen.
feelings and emotions:
dislike – nicht mögen.
hate – hassen.
like – mögen.
love – lieben.
prefer – bevorzugen.
want – wollen.
wish – sich wünschen.
senses and perceptions:
appear – erscheinen / scheinen.
be – sein.
feel – fühlen.
hear – hören.
look – aussehen.
see - sehen
seem – erscheinen.
smell - riechen.
taste - schmecken.
possession and measurement:
belong to – gehören.
have – haben.
measure – messen.
own – besitzen.
weigh – wiegen.