Most stative or state verbs refer to a state rather than action.
Stative verbs are verbs
which we use in the Present Simple, even if they are happening now. Example:
agree / disagree Now, I know the answer!
appear However, in situations where they refer to an action which is taking place at that
believe moment, we use the Present Continuous tense.
Examples: I think that coffee is great (= have an opinion)
belong to I’m thinking about my next holiday. (= have in my head)
can’t stand Certain stative verbs change their meaning when they are used in the Present
cost Continuous.
Examples: I’m seeing Tom tomorrow. (= meet)
dislike / like I see what you mean. (= understand)
doubt Sometimes stative verbs are used in the present continuous to emphasize change or
enjoy development. This use is informal.
Example: You are being very naughty, Tom! Behave yourself!
fancy
feel (also have an opinion)
fit
guess
hate
There are three main categories of stative verbs (feelings, thoughts and
have
senses) and two small categories (possession and measurement).
hear Complete the charts below with the right stative verbs from the box on the
hope left according to their categories.
know
lack
look (also = seem)
love
matter _____________ _____________ _____________
mean
measure (= be long) _____________ _____________ _____________
(not) mind
_____________ _____________ _____________
prefer
possess _____________ _____________ _____________
owe
own _____________ _____________ _____________
realise _____________ _____________ _____________
remember
see (meet / understand) _____________ _____________ _____________
seem _____________ _____________ _____________
smell
sound _____________ _____________ _____________
suppose
_____________
taste
think (=consider) _____________
touch ____________
understand _____________ ____________ ____________
want _____________
weigh ____________ ____________
wish _____________ ____________ ____________
wonder _____________ ____________
____________ ____________
_____________
_____________
adore, astonish, bet (opinion),
_____________ contain, concern, consist of, decide, deny, deserve, desire,
detest, imagine, impress, include, involve, please, promise,
recognise, remain, require, resemble, satisfy, surprise,
_____________ suspect...
Complete the sentences with the verbs in brackets. Use the Present Simple
or the Present Continuous. Decide if the verb refers to a state or an action.
agree / disagree
appear
believe
belong to
We ______________________ of going on holiday next month. Where
can’t stand
____________________ (you) we should go? (think)
cost Dad _____________________ the soup. I’m sure it _____________ very
dislike / like good. (taste)
doubt He __________________ at the book now. It _________________ interesting.
enjoy (look)
fancy ________________________ (he) the tomatoes now? How much
feel (also have an opinion) _________________________ (they)? (weigh)
fit Our friends ________________________ a new swimming pool. They
_______________________ a pool party this Sunday. (have)
guess
hate
have
hear
hope Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. Use
know the Present Simple or Present Continuous.
lack
look (also = seem)
love
matter Why ____________________________ (those boys / smile) at us?
mean ________________________ (we / know) them?
measure (= be long) I ___________________________ (enjoy) this summer holiday! I
(not) mind _______________________ (not want) it to end.
On annual White Nights, many museums and lots of shops
prefer
____________________________ (stay) open all night.
possess My parents _________________________ (let) me use the car tomorrow.
owe How much ___________________________ (your dog / weigh)?
own Elizabeth __________________________ (know) where the new cinema
realise ___________________ (be).
remember A: __________________________ (this laptop / belong) to Jack?
see (meet / understand) B: No, I _______________ (think) it __________________ (belong)
seem to Debbie.
smell A: Bill usually ________________________ (enjoy) his work.
B: Yes, but he ___________________________ (not enjoy) it now
sound
because he’s got too much to do.
suppose
A: Why _____________________________ (you / taste) the milk?
taste B: Because it _______________________ (smell) rather strange.
think (=consider) ___________________________ (you / want) to taste it?
touch A: Susan _________________________ (talk) to her boyfriend on
understand the phone at the moment.
want B: I can tell. She _______________________ (look) very excited.
weigh David ________________________ (think) about getting the job.
wish Please be quiet. You __________________ (be) too much noisy!
I _____________________________ (feel) that you are wrong.
wonder
I ___________________________ (see) Anne this afternoon at 5.
We _____________________ (have) an interesting conversation!