Verbs that describe state: conditions or situations, not
actions.
We cannot use state verbs in continuous (progressive)
tenses: there is no action to show!
State verbs describe:
Mental States
Realize
Understand
Recognize
Believe
Feel
Suppose
Need
Desire
Imagine
Doubt
Remember
Forget
Think
Want
Mean
Examples:-
This is a car I desire! (not ..I am desiring..).
I recognize Olya in the picture!(not I’m recognizing Olya).
She understands some
Spanish. (not She is understanding..)
Emotional states
Love
Like
Hate
Prefer
Fear
Envy
Appreciate
Mind
Care
Astonish
Amaze
Example:-
I love chocolate (not I am loving…)
I like the way you move!(not I am liking…)
Possessions
Possess
Own
Belong
Have
Examples:-
I have a teddy bear
I own it .
I possess a teddy bear.
Sense Perception
Taste
Smell
See
Hear
Example:-
Ratatouille tastes like childhood.
Be
Seem
Look
Appear
Cost
Sound
Resemble
Look like
Owe
Weigh
Equal
Exist
Matter
Consist of
Contain
Include
Examples:-
Two by tow equals four (not ..is equaling…)
These doughnuts cost $ 0.70 each (not ..are costing…)
Double meaning verbs or verbs which change meaning in continuous and simple forms
1- Think
Stative: to heave an opinion
Example:-
I think (=have an opinion) this flower is very unusual!
Continuous: (often think of /about) to be in a process of
considering things
Example:-
He is thinking (= in the process of it).
2- Look/ appear
Stative:- to have a
particular appearance/seem
Example:
Nemo looks (=seems) sad.
Continuous: turn eyes towards smth, so that you can see it
Example:-
She is looking (= so she can see herself) in the mirror.
3- See
Stative: Notice someone or smth using your eyes.
Example sees (=with her eyes a plane in the sky.)
Continuous: Meet or visit someone by arrangement
I am seeing (=meet) my dentist at 17 on Wednesday.
4- Admire
Stative:To have a good opinion of smth/smb
Example:-
A lot of people admire (= have a good opinion of ) Mother Teresa.
Continuous: look at with appreciation
Example:-
The dog is admiring (=looking with appreciation) a sandwich.
5- Have
Stative: Own
Example Pinocchio has (= it belongs to him) a long nose.
Continuous: (in phrases)
Have breakfast,
Have coffee,
Have a good time, etc.
Example:-
He is having breakfast (= is eating).
6- Taste
Stative: Have a particular flavour
Example:-
Coffee tastes better (= has a better flavour) with a friend.
Continuous: Eat or drink smth and to experience its flavour
Example:-
She is tasting ( = is eating to experience flavour ) soup.
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