THE STATIVE VERBS
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') |
THE STATIVE VERB EXERCISES
Direction: Choose the present simple
or present continuous (these verbs are sometimes stative):
1. She _____________ (have) a bath
every evening.
2. My husband _____________ (always /
taste) the food while I’m cooking! It’s very annoying.
3. A: Where’s Luke? B: He
_____________ (see) the doctor now.
4. I _____________ (not / think)
that’s a good idea.
5. He _____________ (have) a party at
the weekend.
6. This coffee _____________ (not /
taste) right.
7. We _____________ (see) John and
Susie next weekend.
8. What _____________ (you / think)
about the war in Iraq?
9. She _____________ (have) a
headache.
10. It _____________ (be) cold today.
11. They _____________ (not / have) a
car.
12. I _____________ (not / see)
anything, I can’t work the telescope.
13. The waiter _____________ (taste)
the wine now.
14. She _____________ (not / be) a
doctor.
15. A: What _____________ (that child
/ do)? B: He _____________ (be) silly.
16. _____________ (you / be) hungry?
_____________ (you / want) a sandwich?
17. A: What _____________ (you / do)?
B: I _____________ (think) about my ex-boyfriend.
18. I _____________ (have) fun today!
19. I _____________ (see) Julie every
Tuesday.
20. I _____________ (have) an idea!
21. A: Achoo! B: Bless you!
_____________ (you / have) a cold?
22. They often _____________ (see) a
film on Fridays.
23. A: How’s the cake? B: It
_____________ (taste) funny.
24. _____________ (you / have) a good
time at the moment?
25. The chef always _____________
(taste) the food before he serves it.
26. A: Julie has been offered a new
job. B: Is she going to take it? A: She _____________ (not / know). She
_____________ (think) about it.
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