This document discusses non-action verbs, also called stative verbs. It provides examples of different types of non-action verbs such as verbs expressing emotions, senses, appearances, needs, preferences, mental states, possession, and measurements. It cautions that non-action verbs should generally not be used in the present progressive form. Practice exercises are provided to have the reader identify and use non-action verbs in different contexts.

1. Non-Action Verbs
First Impressions
8

2. Dad, this is my new
boyfriend, Josh.
Uh, nice to meet
you, Josh.I don’t like
him.
Hmmm….
He has
long hair.
He looks
messy.
Dad, What Do You Think?

3. Non-Action Verbs 1
Some verbs do not describe actions. These
verbs are called non-action or stative verbs.
I a bird singing.
I to a bird singing.
non-action
verb
action verb
hear
am listening

4. I see dogs running.
Non-Action Verbs 2
I am looking at the dogs.
non-action
verb
Action verb

5. I love
computers!
I hate
computers!
Emotions
Some non-action verbs express emotions.
love
hate
like
dislike

6. This smells
awful!
Senses or Appearance
hear
taste
smell
sound
feel
see
This tastes
spicy!
Some non-action verbs describe senses or
appearance.

7. I hear the ocean
and seagulls.
Practice 1
Use the non-action verbs in the box
to describe a vacation to the place
in the picture.
hear see smell feel sound
love hate like dislike

8. Needs or Preferences
want
need
prefer
I prefer
Amy’s old
boyfriend.
Some non-action verbs express needs or
preferences.

9. I think it’s
beautiful.
Mental States
Some non-
action verbs
describe
thoughts.
agree
disagree
understand
remember
believe
think
know
I disagree.

10. We own
this
house.
Possession
Some non-
action verbs
show
possession.
Have
Own
Belong
This all
belongs to
us.

11. Yes, you owe us
a lot of money.
Measurements
The dinner costs
all the money in
my wallet!
Some non-action verbs describe
measurements, such as: cost, weigh, owe.

12. I am not
liking him.
I don’t like
him.
Be Careful!
We usually do not use non-action verbs in the
present progressive (-ing) form.

13. Practice 2
A mother is meeting her son’s new
girlfriend. Use the non-action verbs in
the box to describe their first
impressions.
have own need prefer
know think agree disagree
I think her
hair color is
awful.
I prefer his
old girlfriend

14. Non-Action Verbs 3
Some non-action verbs can have different action and
non-action meanings.
He looks messy. He is looking at a tie.

15. Practice 3
Explain the different
meanings of the verbs in the
pairs of sentences.
1. a. The cake tastes delicious.
b. He’s tasting the cake right now.
2. a. I have some food.
b. I’m having breakfast.
3. a. He thinks the painting is ugly.
b. He’s thinking about buying a different painting.
Example: The perfume smells nice.
She’s smelling the perfume.

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References