Stative Verbs
How to use stative (state) and dynamic verbs
See a complete list of stative verbs with lots of examples in PDF here 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 |
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A verb which isn’t stative is called a dynamic verb, and is usually an action.
Some verbs can be both stative and dynamic:
Bebe is usually a stative verb, but when it is used in the continuous it means ‘behaving’ or ‘acting’
Some verbs can be both stative and dynamic:
Bebe 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 (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 (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 (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 (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')