Download STATE AND ACTION VERBS

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 FEELINGS
Like
Hate
Love
Prefer
Want
Wish
STATE VERBS
3. VERBS OF THINKING
Agree
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 VERBS
Cost
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)