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    Stative Verbs Explanation

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    Shan Parfitt
    Descriptions of stative verbs in English

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    Stative Verbs Explanation

    Uploaded by

    Shan Parfitt
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    Descriptions of stative verbs in English

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    stative verbs explanation

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    Descriptions of stative verbs in English

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
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    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    3 views4 pages

    Stative Verbs Explanation

    Uploaded by

    Shan Parfitt
    Descriptions of stative verbs in English

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 4

    MMag. Dr. Shan Parfitt www.english-works.

    net +43 677 61636474


    [email protected]

    STATIVE VERBS
    1. MOST VERBS ARE “DYNAMIC”

    Most verbs described actions or changes and are called


    dynamic verbs.

    But there is also a group of verbs which describe states of


    mind – or sometimes, states in the world.

    These are called stative verbs.

    2. WHAT ARE STATIVE VERBS?

    They often describe states that last for some time.

    They aren't used in progressive (continuous) tenses (tenses


    with be + -ing such as the present progressive).

    The ones you probably use most often are:

    be think understand mean remember know want like need


    agree

    Other very common ones are:

    love hate realise suppose believe appear seem belong depend

    Find a fuller list at the bottom of the page.

    Some example sentences:

    I think, therefore I am.

    I think [that] Claudia’s probably eating lunch at the


    moment – I’ll call her later.

    I don’t understand what that sentences means.


    16 November 2024 1
    `
    MMag. Dr. Shan Parfitt www.english-works.net +43 677 61636474
    [email protected]

    3. SOME VERBS ARE BOTH STATIVE AND DYNAMIC

    If you use one of these verbs in a progressive (be + -ing) form,


    it changes the meaning (the meaning becomes dynamic, i.e. it
    doesn’t describe a state, but something which is new, or which
    is an action).
    Sometimes the distinction is quite subtle or difficult to
    understand. In these cases, it’s worthwhile to simply learn the
    difference off by heart.
    be
    be is usually a stative verb, but when it is used in the
    progressive form, it means 'behaving' or 'acting'

     you are stupid = it's part of your personality


     you are being stupid = only now, not usually

    think
     think (stative) = have an opinion
    I think [that] coffee is the best drink on earth.
     think (dynamic) = consider, have in your head
    What are you thinking about? You have a far-away look in
    your eyes.

    have
     have (stative) = own
    I have a car
     have (dynamic) = part of a set expression
    I'm having a party / a picnic / a bath / a good time / a
    break

    see

    16 November 2024 2
    MMag. Dr. Shan Parfitt www.english-works.net +43 677 61636474
    [email protected]
     see (stative) = see with your eyes / understand
    I see what you mean
     see (dynamic) = meet / have a relationship with
    I'm seeing Robert tomorrow / at the moment.

    Taste (and other similar verbs, e.g. 'smell')


     taste (stative) = has a certain taste
    This soup tastes great
     taste (dynamic) = the action of tasting
    The chef is just tasting the soup, and then we can serve it
    up.

    4. LIST OF STATIVE VERBS

    like know belong


    love realise fit
    hate suppose contain
    want mean consist
    need understand seem
    prefer believe depend
    agree remember matter
    mind recognise see
    own appear look (=seem)
    sound taste smell
    hear astonish deny
    disagree please impress
    satisfy promise surprise
    think (=have an feel (=have an
    doubt
    opinion) opinion)
    wish imagine concern

    16 November 2024 3
    MMag. Dr. Shan Parfitt www.english-works.net +43 677 61636474
    [email protected]

    dislike be have
    deserve involve include
    measure (=have
    lack possess
    length etc)
    weigh (=have
    owe
    weight)

     Download a complete list of stative verbs with lots of


    examples in PDF here
     Try an exercise about stative verbs here

    16 November 2024 4

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