STATIVE AND DYNAMIC VERBS

Student: Rafaela AnaniiPS: Major Topics in English GrammarProfessor: Dr. Véronique LacosteAlbert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, SS 2010

CONTENTS

1. Distinctions2. Dynamic verbs3. Stative verbs4. Classifications 5. When are statives not

statives?6. Special cases7. Verbs and other categories8. References

DYNAMIC - STATIVE PROGRESSIVE - NONPROGRESSIVE

Distinctions between verbs can be made in terms of whether they admit the aspectual contrast of ‘progressive’ and ‘nonprogressive’

When verbs will not admit the progressive, as in (1), (2), (3), (4) they are called stative. When they admit it, as in (5), (6), (7), (8) they are called dynamic. (1) He is tall. (5)*He is being tall. (2) He resembles his mother. (6)*He is resembling his mother. (3) I want spaghetti . (7)*I am wanting spaghetti for dinner. (4) It belongs to me. (8)*It is belonging to me.

Sometimes, the opposition involves the terms ‘state’ vs. ‘action’. But the term ‘action’ has a more restricted sense , denoting a dynamic situation that requires the involvement of an agent.

There is also the distinction ’state’ and ’non-state’

As regards linguistic literature, ‘event’ and ‘process’ => dynamic situations: ‘process’ = the internal structure of a dynamic situation ‘event’ = a dynamic situation viewed as a single complete whole

Difference in scope: • For statives, the scope of the event is the event seen

as a totality;• For actives, the scope of the event is its components.

Difference in the degree of temporal sensitivity: actives are characterised by boundedness in time statives are unbounded in time. This prevents states

from being located within a time span:

*Peter was walking along the shore twice this morning. *Peter was walking along the shore for two hours this morning. *Peter was walking along the shore in two hours this morning.

DYNAMIC VERBS (ACTION VERBS)

have duration, that is, they occur over a limited time, which may or may not have a defined endpoint, and may or may not yet have occurred. These distinctions lead to various forms related to tense and aspect. For example, a dynamic verb may be said to have: durative aspect if there is not a defined endpoint, or punctual aspect if there is a defined endpoint.

may be used in both progressive and simple forms: I learnt how to scuba dive when I was in Costa Rica. I was learning how to scuba dive when I heard that you were

coming.

Dynamic verbs can refer to a sequence of separate events (Present Perfect): I have driven sports cars for years.

Dynamic verb senses can regularly occur in: imperative sentences:

Learn how to swim.*Know how to swim

pseudo-cleft sentences:What she did was (to) learn Spanish.*What she did was (to) know Spanish.

“Anything that is ‘dynamic’ is concerned with energy or forces that produce motion, as opposed to the idea of ‘static’ “

(Martha Kölln)

States have been referred to as something ongoing, if they are seen from within.

Statives show: a single unbroken state of affairs. a state of being a mental state an unchanging relationship

Statives are different from dynamic verbs in both structure and usage. Stative verbs are inert--static.

A stative verb is often intransitive, while a corresponding dynamic one would be transitive.

dynamic/transitive stative/intransitivelay (something down) lie/be lyingset (something somewhere) sit/be sittingstand (something in an upright position)

stand

STATIVE VERBS

CLASSIFICATION # 1

1. Stative verbs

2. Stance verbs

3. Dynamic verbs durative punctual

1. STATIVE states of ‘being’ and ‘having’: be, contain,

depend, have, resemble

intellectual states: believe, know, realize, think, understand

states of emotion or attitude: (dis)agree, (dis)like, want, wish

states of perception: feel, hear, see, smell, taste

states of bodily sensation: ache, feel sick, hurt, itch, tickle

2. STANCE: lie, live, sit, stand

3. DYNAMIC

a. durative: taking place over a period of time activities performed by inanimate forces: (wind) blow,

(engine) run, rain, (watch) work

activities performed by animate agents: dance, eat, play, sing, work

processes (denoting change of state taking place over a period): change, deteriorate, grow, ripen, widen.

accomplishments (action or activity that has a goal or endpoint): finish (the book), knit (a sweater), read (the paper), write (an essay)

b. punctual: with little or no duration momentary events and acts: bang, jump, knock, nod,

tapIn the progressive, they indicate the repetition of the event:e.g. He was knocking on the door.

transitional events and acts: arrive, die, drown, land, leave, stop

In the progressive, they refer to a period leading up to the change of state:e.g. The train is (now) arriving at Platform 4.

Note: Stance verbs may be used with either the progressive or the non-progressive, often with little to choose between the variants. But sometimes they seem to be used with: - the non-progressive to express a permanent state and - the progressive to express a temporary state: e.g. James lives in Copenhagen. [permanent residence]

James is living in Copenhagen. [temporary residence]

1. Dynamic activity verbs process verbs verbs of bodily sensation transitional events verbs momentary verbs

2. Stative verbs of inert perception

and cognition relational verbs

CLASSIFICATION # 2

Activity Verbs - Some may be virtually identical in meaning to simple tense forms

I am begging you. I beg you. I was learning French. I learned French. They will be playing upstairs. They will play upstairs.

abandonaskbegcalldrink

eathelplearnlistenlook at

playrainreadsayslice

throwtravelwhisperworkwrite

Process Verbs- Some may be virtually identical in meaning to simple tense forms

- The corn is growing rapidly. The corn grows rapidly. - Traffic is slowing down. Traffic slows down.

absorbchangedeteriorate

decaydissolvegrow

maturemeltripen

rotshrinkslow down

speed upsproutwiden

Verbs of Bodily Sensation - I feel bad- I am feeling bad (virtually identical in meaning)

acheblister

feelhurt

itchthrob

Transitional Events Verbs: progressive forms indicate the beginning of an event, as opposed to the present simple.

She was falling out of bed [when I caught her] as opposed to

She falls out of bed every night.arrivedie

fallland

leavelose

o Momentary Verbs: progressive forms indicate little duration and suggest repetition and a one time action.o She is hitting her brother. o He is jumping around the house.

hitjumpkick

knockleapnod

pokepunchtap

Verbs of Inert Perception and Cognition (+ emotion and state of being)

I detest rice with curry. *I am detesting rice with curry. I prefer cinnamon toast. *I am preferring

cinnamon toast.

abhoradoreagreeappreciateassumeastonishbe*believecareconsiderdesiredespise

detestdislikedoubtenjoyenvyexistexpectfearfeelforgetforgiveguess

hatehearhopeimagineimpressintendknowlikeloathelovemeanmiss

needperceivepleasepreferpresupposerealizerecallrecognizeregardremembersatisfysee

seemsmellsoundsupposesurprisesuspecttastethinkunderstandwantwishworry

Relational Verbs (relationships, possession, measurements)

I am sick. *I am being sick.I own ten acres of land. *I am owning ten acres.My brother owes me ten dollars. *My brother is owing me ten dollars.

apply tobelong toconsist ofcontaincostdepend ondeserveequal

fithave (own)includeinvolvelackmattermeanneed

oweownpossessrequireresembleweigh

When Are Stative Verbs Not Stative? Some verbs which are generally stative may be used in

the progressive form if they: 1.  stress the immediacy of the action or the process of enjoying/hating/understanding "I am not hearing this!”  “I am wishing I had gone to the party.”  “I am feeling pleased with my job.” “Do you like the film? ~ I am LOVING this movie!”  2. indicate a development towards the static state I am feeling unhappy about it. 

(since states can also start and cease. The start or end of a state is dynamic, since for a state to be started or stopped something must come about to bring about the change into or out of this state)

3. giving a notion of temporariness or limited duration to the state Jack is pleasing his boss until bonus time.  I’m loving every minute of this holiday.( active enjoyment) How are you liking the play? ~Well, it’s all right so far. We were expecting visitors. You’re looking pleased with yourself. This holiday is costing me a lot. I’m hoping to get a job.

4. adding greater emotive effect: She’s always buying far more vegetables than they can

possibly eat.5. showing a different meaning – idiosyncratic uses

Special Cases Both Uses, Different Meanings

STATE - involuntary state of being or condition

ACTION - conscious or deliberate action

BE My new boyfriend is a doctor and he is extremely nice.

There's no point acting this way. You're being very silly about this.

HAVE He has sparkling blue eyes and wavy blond hair.

We’re having lunch at 2.

THINK Do you think I should tell her what happened?

I'm thinking of going to Mauritius for my next holiday.

SMELL His aftershave smells of orange blossom.

Why are you smelling the cream, Richard? ~ I think it’s spoilt.

TASTE This cake tastes wonderful.

I’m tasting the soup to see if it has enough salt.

SEE I saw her last night at the opera.

I’m seeing Steve in half an hour.

LOOK You look lovely today, Jane.

She’s looking at the picture.

ADMIRE I admire your courage. They were admiring the view when I arrived.

APPEAR Everything appeared perfectly calm.

My aunt is appearing in a film next month.

STATE ACTIONFEEL He said he felt that we

weren't suited to one another after all.

How are you feeling today? ~ I'm not feeling / I don't feel very well.

MEAN I’m sure he doesn't mean what he says.

I've been meaning to ask you this for some time.

EXPECT I expect you will be leaving soon.

George and Laura are expecting a baby.

CARE It’s best that you don’t care about the opinion of others.

I’m caring for my sick sister this week.

MEASURE He measures 40 inches around his waist.

Sue is measuring for new curtains.

REACH Trees can reach a height of 60 feet or more.

Mother was reaching for a spoon.

ENJOY Hans enjoys skiing. I’m enjoying every minute of this thrilling experience.

IMPRESS The Grand Canyon impresses most people.

John is impressing Lou with his magic tricks.

SURPRISE The cold weather surprised our Brazilian guest.

He will be surprising her with a diamond tonight.

ACT Jack acts strange sometimes.

She will be acting in a play next month.

Verbs and other categories Most verbs in most contexts relate to action, activity, and

to temporary or changeable conditions: The car struck a lamppost as I was parking it. What aria did she sing last night?

In contrast to verbs (which are normally dynamic), most nouns and adjectives are stative in that they denote phenomena or qualities regarded for linguistic purposes as stable and indeed for all practical purposes permanent: Jack is an engineer. Jack is very tall. We can think of the difference between stative and

dynamic in terms of willed and non-willed qualities. Two plus two equals four. Two plus two is equalling four.

‘equals’ = inert, stative, and cannot take the progressive; there is no choice, no volition in the matter

Compare the following Subject Complements: Jesse is unpleasant tonight. Jesse is being unpleasant tonight. Jesse is short.  *Jesse is being short. ‘unpleasant’ is a condition that can change (dynamic

adjective) ‘short’ is an inert or static condition (stative adjective) Jesse isn’t choosing to be short, he just is.  He can change being unpleasant however. 

In the same way, nouns and pronouns can be said to exhibit willed and unwilled characteristics:

She is being a good worker (because she chooses to be so)

She is (not is being) an Olympic athlete (because she has already become)

REFERENCES Quirk, Randolph, Sidney Greenbaum. A Student’s Grammar

of the English Language. Longman: Essex England. 1995. (55-56)

Quirk, Randolph, et. al. A Grammar of Contemporary English. Longman: London. 1976. (39)

Kölln, Martha. Understanding English Grammar. 4th Edition. MacMillan: New York. 1994. (89-90)

http://www.annies-annex.com/dynamic_verbs.htm http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/progressive.htm

THANK YOU!