verb + ing

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mumbojumbo  #280581  Sat, 14 Oct 06 06:35 AM
"I am not understanding what you are saying"

Is the above sentence correct?

Shouldn't it be "I don't understand what you are saying" ?

When is "verb + ing" form not possible?

Thanks,
MJ.
  
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Grammar Geek  #280588  Sat, 14 Oct 06 06:43 AM

It is used to convey that while you can't understand at that moment, you think you will be able to understand eventually. It would be used only in speech, I think.

I say it to my kid when she is so excited about something that she talks too fast and slurs her words together. It's not that I can't understand her (ever) but that I can't understand her in that state.

  
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Barbara, who answers in American English.
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