Covalent bonds usually form compounds that are liquids or gases at room temperature. This is because covalent compounds consist of molecules held together by strong covalent bonds internally but weaker intermolecular forces between molecules, resulting in generally low melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds. Solid covalent compounds tend to be softer and have lower melting points than ionic solids. Examples include gases like hydrogen (H2) and liquids/solids like water (H2O) and methane (CH4). Thus, covalent bonds typically form substances that are in the liquid or gaseous state at room temperature due to their molecular nature and weaker intermolecular forces.