25/2/2016 Stative Verbs by Viv Quarry Stative Verbs by Viv Quarry (www.vivquarry.com) There are a group of verbs in English, which usually refer to a STATE (a situation which isn't in a process of change). These verbs are either unusual in the continuous form, or when used in the continuous the meaning of the verb is different 1. Verbs of the MIND and THINKING agree, assume*, believe, consider*, doubt, expect**,know, realise, remember, suppose*, think**, understand 2. Verbs of EMOTION care, detest, dislike, enjoy*, envy, hate, hope*, like, love, prefer, want, wish, 3. Verbs of POSSESSION and STATE appear*, belong, consist, contain, cost*, depend, have**, mean, need, own, seem, weigh* 4. Verbs of the SENSES feel**, hear**, see**, smell**, taste** * These verbs can sometimes be used in the continuous, but they refer to the ACTION in progress at that moment. Eg. We are assuming he will come to the meeting. (Means that at this moment we think he will come to the meeting, but it is probably not correct) **THINK When 'think' is used for your opinion it is a stative verb Eg. I don't think it's going to rain When 'think' refers to the mental process it is a normal verb Eg. You are very serious! What are you thinking about? Think can also be used to talk about future plans Eg. We're thinking of going to Brazil for our holidays, this year **EXPECT When 'expect' is used to mean 'suppose', it is a stative verb Eg. I expect you'd like something to drink 'Expect can also be used to mean 'to be pregnant' Eg. Have you heard that Susan's expecting a baby? **HAVE When 'have' is used to mean 'to possess sth.' it is a stative verb http://vivquarry.com/wkshts/stative.html 1/2 25/2/2016 Stative Verbs by Viv Quarry Eg. He has (got) three children Have + noun can also be used for an activity in progress Eg. We're having a lovely time in Greece, the weather's lovely **SEE & HEAR 'See' and 'hear' are stative verbs when used to refer to what your eyes or ears register Eg. I can't see what is happening because there's someone standing in front of me If you WANT to see something, then WATCH is used for sth. in motion, and LOOK AT is used for sth. static. If you WANT to hear sth. then LISTEN TO is used Eg. Look at that man over there! What's he doing? He's watching a football match on TV Eg. Where's John? He's in his bedroom listening to his heavy metal CD's 'See' can also mean the same as 'meet' and is a normal verb Eg. I can't come to the meeting because I'm seeing a client at 3 o'clock **TASTE & SMELL These verbs can refer to the senses and are stative verbs which combine with CAN Eg. Have you left the oven on? I can smell something burning! Can you taste the herbs I've put in this soup? When referring to the activity, they are normal verbs and can be used in the continuous Eg. She's tasting the soup to see if it needs any more pepper Why are you smelling the meat? Do you think it's gone off? **FEEL When 'feel' is used for the sense, it is stative and it is used with CAN Eg. It was so cold that I couldn't feel my toes 'Feel' can refer to your opinion, in which case it is a stative verb Eg. How do you feel about the new project? I don't feel very happy about it 'Feel' can refer to a person's health and is used as a normal verb Eg. How are you feeling today? I'm not feeling very well Back to stative verbs exercise Back to Grammar worksheets Home http://vivquarry.com/wkshts/stative.html 2/2