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com Stative Verbs List

Some verbs are only (or mostly) used in simple tenses, and are not used in continuous tenses. An example of a simple tense is the present simple, or the past simple. An example of a continuous tense is the present continuous or past continuous. These verbs are called stative, or state verbs. A verb which isnt stative is called a dynamic verb, and is usually an action. Often stative verbs are about liking or disliking something, or about a mental state, not about an action.

Verb agree appear believe belong

Correct She didnt agree with us. It appears to be raining. I dont believe the news. This book belonged to my grandfather.

ot Correct She wasnt agreeing with us. It is appearing to be raining. I am not believing the news. This book was belonging to my grandfather. This is concerning you. Bread is consisting of flour, water and yeast. This box is containing a cake. Its depending on the weather. He is deserving to pass the exam. I am disagreeing with you. I have been disliking mushrooms for years. I am doubting what you are saying.

concern consist

This concerns you. Bread consists of flour, water and yeast.

contain depend deserve disagree dislike

This box contains a cake. It depends on the weather. He deserves to pass the exam. I disagree with you. I have disliked mushrooms for years.

doubt

I doubt what you are saying.

feel (=have an opinion) fit hate hear

I dont feel that this is a good idea. This shirt fits me well. Julies always hated dogs. Do you hear music?

I am not feeling that this is a good idea. This shirt is fitting me well. Julies always been hating dogs. Are you hearing music?

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imagine impress

I imagine you must be tired. He impressed me with his story.

I am imagining you must be tired. He was impressing me with his story.

include

This cookbook includes a recipe for bread.

This cookbook is including a recipe for bread. The job is involving a lot of travelling. Ive been knowing Julie for ten years.

involve

The job involves a lot of travelling.

know

Ive known Julie for ten years.

like

I like reading detective stories.

I am liking reading detective stories.

love matter mean measure (=be long) mind need

I love chocolate. It doesnt matter. Enormous means very big. This window measures 150cm.

Im loving chocolate.* It isnt mattering. Enormous is meaning very big. This window is measuring 150cm.

She doesnt mind the noise. At three oclock yesterday I needed a taxi.

She isnt minding the noise. At three oclock yesterday I was needing a taxi. I am owing you 20. She is owning two cars. I am preferring chocolate ice cream.

owe own prefer

I owe you 20. She owns two cars. I prefer chocolate ice cream.

promise

I promise to help you tomorrow.

I am promising to help you tomorrow.

realise recognise

I didnt realise the problem. I didnt recognise my old friend.

I wasnt realising the problem. I wasnt recognising my old friend.

remember seem

He didnt remember my name. The weather seems to be improving.

He wasnt remembering my name. The weather is seeming to be improving. Your idea is sounding great. Im supposing John will be late.

sound suppose

Your idea sounds great. I suppose John will be late.

2009 www.perfect-english-grammar.com May be freely copied for personal or classroom use.

surprise understand

The noise surprised me. I dont understand this question.

The noise was surprising me. Im not understanding this question.

want

I want to go to the cinema tonight.

I am wanting to go to the cinema tonight. This cake is weighing 450g.

weigh (=have weight) wish

This cake weighs 450g.

I wish I had studied more.

I am wishing I had studied more.

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 = its part of your personality you are being stupid = only now, not usually have have (stative) = own I have a car have (dynamic) = part of an expression Im 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, shes just coming along the road see (dynamic) = meet / have a relationship with Ive been seeing my boyfriend for three years Im seeing Robert tomorrow taste (also: smell, feel, look) taste (stative) = has a certain taste This soup tastes great taste (dynamic) = the action of tasting The chef is tasting the soup think think (stative) = have an opinion I think that coffee is great think (dynamic) = consider, have in my head what are you thinking about? Im thinking about my next holiday

2009 www.perfect-english-grammar.com May be freely copied for personal or classroom use.