STATE AND ACTION VERBS

Also called stative and dynamic verbs

STATE VERBS

• A state is when something stays the same.

• State verbs are not used in the continuous form

ACTION VERBS

An action is when something happens

STATE VERBS

1. VERBS OF THE SENSES

Appear

Hear

Look like

See

Taste

STATE VERBS

2. VERBS OF THE FEELINGSlike

Hate

Love

Prefer

Want

Wish

STATE VERBS

3. VERBS OF THINKINGAgree

Believe

Forget

Know

Think

Understand

STATE VERBS

4. VERBS OF POSSESSION

Belong to

Contain

Have

Own

STATE VEREBS

5. VERBS OF BEING

Be

Exist

STATE VERBS

6. OTHER VERBSCost

Depend on

Mean

Need

STATE VERBS IN THE CONTINUOUS FORM?

It’s OK to use a state verb in the continuous form if it expresses a temporary feeling

“-How are you getting on in your new school? -I’m loving it”

VERBS THAT CAN EXPRESS STATE AND ACTION

It is possible for some verbs to express state and action if they have two different meanings

VERBS THAT CAN EXPRESS STATE AND ACTION

HAVE

Action:

“He’s having a shower” (=taking)

State: “He has a house in London”

VERBS THAT CAN EXPRESS STATE AND ACTION

THINK

“He thinks Obama will win the elections”

(opinion = state)

“what are you thinking now?” (action)

VERBS THAT CAN EXPRESS STATE AND ACTION

SEE

Action: “I’m seeing my dentist next Tuesday” (=have an appointment with)

State: “ I see what you mean” (=understand)