STATIVE VERBS

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How to use stative (state) and dynamic verbs


    Download a complete list of stative verbs with lots of examples in PDF here.
    Try an exercise about stative verbs here.
    Click here for our complete programme to perfect your English grammar.



    Some English verbs, which we call state, non-continuous or stative verbs, aren't used in continuous tenses (like the present continuous, or the future continuous). These verbs often describe states that last for some time. Here is a list of some common ones:

    Stative (or State) Verb List

    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
    doubt think (=have an opinion) feel (=have an opinion)
    wish imagine concern
    dislike be have
    deserve involve include
    lack measure (=have length etc) possess
    owe weigh (=have weight)

    A verb which isn't stative is called a dynamic verb, and is usually an action.

    Some verbs can be both stative and dynamic:

    Be
    be is usually a stative verb, but when it is used in the continuous 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 great
    • think (dynamic) = consider, have in my head
      what are you thinking about? I'm thinking about my next holiday
    Have
    • have (stative) = own
      I have a car
    • have (dynamic) = part of an expression
      I'm having a party / a picnic / a bath / a good time / a break
    See
    • see (stative) = see with your eyes / understand
      I see what you mean
      I see her now, she's just coming along the road
    • see (dynamic) = meet / have a relationship with
      I've been seeing my boyfriend for three years
      I'm seeing Robert tomorrow
    Taste
    • taste (stative) = has a certain taste
      This soup tastes great
      The coffee tastes really bitter
    • taste (dynamic) = the action of tasting
      The chef is tasting the soup

      ('taste' is the same as other similar verbs such as 'smell')

    Try this exercise about stative and dynamic verbs.
    Click here for our complete programme to perfect your English grammar.


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