Stative & Dynamic verbs
UNAMUNO BHI 25/26
Verbs in English can be classified into two catergories: - Dynamic verbs
- Stative verbs
01
Dynamic verbs
Dynamic verbs
A.K.A. action verbs. They describe actions, which means something is moving or changing. Actions usually have a beginning and an end. They happen at a specific or limited time. Actions can usually be seen happening.
02
Stative verbs
Stative verbs
Stative verbs refer to the state of things rather than to an action. They usually refer to a state or condition which is not changing or likely to change. We don't actively do what the state describes. They often cannot be seen.
Mental activities
Senses
Measurements
Possession
Emotion
Why is this important?
Stative verbs CANNOT be used in the progressive or continuous form.
Some verbs can be both dynamic and stative.
BE
He is being very kind to us.
VS
Lisa is a doctor.
(To act or behave)
(Describe a state)
HAVE
I'm having a burger for supper.
VS
I have a new phone.
(Eating)
We're having a party tomorrow night.
(Possess)
(Organising, celebrating)
THINK
I think extra-curricular activities are important.
I'm thinking of taking art lessons.
VS
(Consider, process mentally)
(Have an opinion)
LOOK
She is looking in the shop window.
That book looks interesting.
VS
(Observe)
(Seem)
SEE
I am seeing Bob this afternoon.
Do you see the rainbow?
VS
(Meeting, voluntary action)
(Sense of sight, not voluntary)
TASTE
He is tasting the meat.
The meat tastes spicy.
VS
(Voluntary action, meet or visit someone)
(Sense of taste, not voluntary)
SMELL
She's smelling the flowers.
I smell something burning.
VS
(Voluntary action)
(Sense of smell, involuntary action)
FEEL
Is Jane still feeling ill after her operation?
He feels that the maths course is too difficult for him.
VS
(Physical feeling)
(Opinion)
WEIGH
The nurse is weighing the baby at the clinic.
The box weighs 20 kilos.
VS
(Action)
(Measurement)
Present Simple vs. Present Continuous
Present Simple
[S] + (V1)/-s/-es + ... [S] + don't / doesn't + (V1) + ... Do / Does + [S] + (V1) ...
Present Simple
Present Continuous
[S] + am/is/are + (V1)ing + ... [S] + am not/isn't/aren't + (V1)ing + ... Am/Is/Are + [S] + (V1)ing ...
Present Continuous
SENSES
FeelHear See Smell Sound Taste etc.
MEASUREMENTS
Cost Equal Measure Weigh etc.
MENTAL ACTIVITIES
Appear Believe Consider Depend Doubt Expect Feel Forget Forgive Guess Imagine Know Look
Mean Mind Notice Prefer Realise Recognise Remember Seem Suppose Think Understand etc.
POSSESSION
Belong (to) Have Owe Own Possess etc.
EMOTION
Adore Desire Dislike Fear Hate Like Love Need Want Wish etc.
Stative & Dynamic verbs
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Transcript
Stative & Dynamic verbs
UNAMUNO BHI 25/26
Verbs in English can be classified into two catergories:- Dynamic verbs
- Stative verbs
01
Dynamic verbs
Dynamic verbs
A.K.A. action verbs. They describe actions, which means something is moving or changing. Actions usually have a beginning and an end. They happen at a specific or limited time. Actions can usually be seen happening.
02
Stative verbs
Stative verbs
Stative verbs refer to the state of things rather than to an action. They usually refer to a state or condition which is not changing or likely to change. We don't actively do what the state describes. They often cannot be seen.
Mental activities
Senses
Measurements
Possession
Emotion
Why is this important?
Stative verbs CANNOT be used in the progressive or continuous form.
Some verbs can be both dynamic and stative.
BE
He is being very kind to us.
VS
Lisa is a doctor.
(To act or behave)
(Describe a state)
HAVE
I'm having a burger for supper.
VS
I have a new phone.
(Eating)
We're having a party tomorrow night.
(Possess)
(Organising, celebrating)
THINK
I think extra-curricular activities are important.
I'm thinking of taking art lessons.
VS
(Consider, process mentally)
(Have an opinion)
LOOK
She is looking in the shop window.
That book looks interesting.
VS
(Observe)
(Seem)
SEE
I am seeing Bob this afternoon.
Do you see the rainbow?
VS
(Meeting, voluntary action)
(Sense of sight, not voluntary)
TASTE
He is tasting the meat.
The meat tastes spicy.
VS
(Voluntary action, meet or visit someone)
(Sense of taste, not voluntary)
SMELL
She's smelling the flowers.
I smell something burning.
VS
(Voluntary action)
(Sense of smell, involuntary action)
FEEL
Is Jane still feeling ill after her operation?
He feels that the maths course is too difficult for him.
VS
(Physical feeling)
(Opinion)
WEIGH
The nurse is weighing the baby at the clinic.
The box weighs 20 kilos.
VS
(Action)
(Measurement)
Present Simple vs. Present Continuous
Present Simple
[S] + (V1)/-s/-es + ... [S] + don't / doesn't + (V1) + ... Do / Does + [S] + (V1) ...
Present Simple
Present Continuous
[S] + am/is/are + (V1)ing + ... [S] + am not/isn't/aren't + (V1)ing + ... Am/Is/Are + [S] + (V1)ing ...
Present Continuous
SENSES
FeelHear See Smell Sound Taste etc.
MEASUREMENTS
Cost Equal Measure Weigh etc.
MENTAL ACTIVITIES
Appear Believe Consider Depend Doubt Expect Feel Forget Forgive Guess Imagine Know Look
Mean Mind Notice Prefer Realise Recognise Remember Seem Suppose Think Understand etc.
POSSESSION
Belong (to) Have Owe Own Possess etc.
EMOTION
Adore Desire Dislike Fear Hate Like Love Need Want Wish etc.