Correct or wrong sentences?
Discuss.
1. He understands the problem. Some verbs are not
2. He is understanding the problem. usually use with
Present Continuous-
3. I hate olives.
they describe states,
4. I’m hating olives. not actions. We call
5. Your idea sounds nice. them STATE VERBS.
6. Your idea is sounding nice.
7. He has a sister.
8. He is having a slice of pizza. ! Some verbs can be
9. He is naughty. used to describe a
10. He is being naughty. state or an action-
but the meaning is
11. I think you are great!
different!
12. I am thinking about buying a flat.
Some verbs are DYNAMIC – they Some verbs are STATES –
show an action. they show a state, thoughts
and opinions, feelings and
Can you give some examples? emotions, senses, possession.
Can you think of examples?
Let’s work on the difference dynamic and state verbs!
STATE VERBS
• a state: be
• thoughts and opinions: think, understand, believe, remember, mean,
know
• feelings and emotions: like, love, hate, want prefer, need
• senses: look, seem, sound, hear, see, smell, feel, appear
• possession: have, own, belong
STATE VERBS aren't usually used in the present continuous.
I don't know the answer.
I'm not knowing the answer.
She really likes you.
She's really liking you.
He seems happy at the moment.
He's seeming happy at the moment.
STATE VERBS
A number of verbs can refer to states or actions, depending on the context.
✓I think it's a good idea.
-> this sentence expresses an opinion, a belief. It is a mental
state, so we use present simple
✓Wait a moment! I'm thinking.
-> the speaker is actively processing thoughts about something.
It is an action in progress, so we use present continuous
In each pair, which is a state and which an action verb?
Can you explain the difference in meaning?
1. A. She is very polite. a. state- her permanent quality
2. B. She is being very polite. b. action- she is temporarily behaving that way
2. A. They have a dog. a. state- posses/ own
B. They're having an English lesson. b. action- having a lesson is an activity
3. A. My mother looks very young a. state- her quality
B. The mechanic is looking at my car. b. action- he is doing an action
4. A. Do you see what I mean? a. state- understand
B. Are you seeing a dentist tomorrow? b. action- meeting
5. A. The cake tastes delicious. a. state- our perception of the cake
B. She is tasting the cake to see if it's ready. b. action- tasting the cake is an activity
