STATE VERBS

Stative verbs are verbs which describe a state rather than an action and do not usually have a
continuous aspect.

These verbs are:

1. Verbs of senses: see, hear, smell, taste, feel, look, sound, seem, appear
2. Verbs of perception: know, believe, think, understand, realise, remember, forget
3. Verbs which express feelings & emotions: like, love, hate, enjoy, prefer, detest, desire, want
4. Other verbs: be, contain, include, belong, fit, need, matter, cost, own, want, weigh, wish, have,
keep, etc.

Some of these verbs can be used in continuous tenses to express a specific preference or with a
different meaning.

e.g. I really enjoy staying at home on Friday nights.

I’m really enjoying this novel.

Present simple Present Continuous

think - believe think – consider

e.g. I think she is a nice girl. e.g. I’m thinking of selling my car.

have - posses have – experience, take, eat

e.g. I have a large collection of stamps. e.g. I’m having lunch./ I’m having a shower.

See - understand (vb. of perception) I’m having a wonderful time.

e.g. I see her, she is the girl in red. see – to meet, appointment, visions,
accompany
I see now, what you were trying to tell me.
e.g. I’m seeing Tina tonight at the restaurant.
taste – it has the flavour of
Are you seeing things?/ I’m seeing Gina to the
e.g. The chocolate tastes bitter.
airport tonight.
smell – it has the aroma of
taste – to test
e.g. you smell nice.
e.g. She is tasting the soup to see if it needs
appear – seems to be more salt.

e.g. He appears to be a gentleman. smell – to sniff

fit – it’s the right size e.g. I’m smelling my roses.

e.g. My dress fits perfectly. appear – to perform

e.g. She is appearing in a new Broadway play.

fit – to attach
e.g. Frank is fitting an extra lock at the front
door.