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12.2. Stative and dynamic verbs

 

How to use stative and dynamic verbs

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. Here is a list of some common ones:

STATIVE (OR STATE) VERB LIST
like know belong owe astonish
love realise fit weigh concern
hate suppose contain lack wish
want mean consist deny measure
need understand seem possess disagree
prefer believe depend deserve please
agree remember matter include impress
mind recognise see involve satisfy
own appear look (=seem) dislike surprise

A verb which isn't stative is called a dynamic verb, and is usually an action.

Some verbs can be both stative and dynamic:

Be
  • be 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, youare being stupid = only now, not usually
Think
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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/smell/sound/look
  • 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')

Source: http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/stative-verbs.html

Now watch the following stative verbs tutorial:

Perfect English Grammar. Stative verbs (Licencia estándar de YouTube)

For a complete list of stative verbs with lots of examples, click here

Do it yourself

Choose the correct option for each statement.

Question 1

1. "Believe" is a dynamic verb.

Question 2

2. "Read" is a dynamic verb.

Question 3

3. "Smell" (for example: "This fish smells funny") is a stative verb.

Question 4

4. "Paint" is a dynamic verb.

Question 5

5. "Change" is a stative verb.

Question 6

6. "Jump" is a stative verb.

Question 7

7. "Remember" is a stative verb.

Question 8

8. "Seem" is a dynamic verb.

Question 9

9. "Want" is a stative verb.

Question 10

10. "Understand" is a stative verb.

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