A brief presentation of Stative verbs

1. Stative Verbs
are NOT used in Continuous Tenses
Feelings: Thoughts,
opinions:
Senses: Possession: Measure, cost,
Others:
LIKE
DISLIKE
LOVE
HATE
PREFER
WANT
NEED
MIND
CARE
KNOW
THINK
UNDERSTAND
BELIEVE
GUESS
MEAN
SUPPOSE
DOUBT
REALIZE
REMEMBER
FORGET
AGREE
FEEL
HEAR
SEE
SMELL
SOUND
TASTE
TOUCH
LOOK
BELONG
OWN
HAVE
COST
MEASURE
WEIGH
OWE
SEEM
BE
APPEAR
CONSIST
But some of them can sometimes be “Dynamic/ action” verbs
and go in a Continuous Tense:

2. Common verbs that can show
“State” or “Action”:
THINK = have an opinion  not in Continuous: I think that smoking is bad.
= consider, have in mind  Can be continuous: I am thinking about you.
HAVE = own, possess  not in Continuous: She has a new baby brother.
+ expressions  Can be continuous: She’s having a shower.
SMELL,
WEIGH,
LOOK,
TASTE, ...
WHEN INTRANSITIVE  not in Continuous: The coffee smells great .
You look tired.
This pizza tastes good!
WHEN TRANSITIVE  Can be continuous: I’m smelling coffee.
He’s looking at a picture.
The chef is tasting the lunch.
SEE with your eyes/ understand:  not in Continuous: I see what you mean.
= meet someone:  Can be continuous: I’m seeing Peter tonight.

3. More Theory and Practice
of Stative verbs
here