The document discusses different types of verbs in English: action verbs and state verbs. Action verbs denote actions like "to read" or "to walk", while state verbs describe a state of being and cannot be used in continuous tenses. Some examples of state verbs given are verbs expressing likes/dislikes, verbs of the senses, and verbs of perception. However, some state verbs can be used in continuous tenses when they describe actions rather than states.

1. State and Action Verbs
in the English Language

2. Action verbs are verbs which denote some
actions: to read, to walk, to wash etc.
e. g. I read books every day and I'm reading a
book at the moment.

3. State Verbs are verbs which
describe a state rather than an
action and therefore do not
normally have continuous tenses.
These include:

4. 1) verbs which express likes and
dislikes:
➲ Like
➲ Love
➲ Hate
➲ Enjoy
➲ Prefer
➲ Adore
I love ice-cream.

5. 2) Verbs of the senses:
➲ We often use can or
could with these
➲See verbs when we
➲Hear refer to what we
➲Smell see, hear, etc. at
➲Taste the moment of
➲Feel speaking:
➲Look
➲Sound Jim must be at home,
We hear voices I can see his car
outside. parked outside.

6. 3) Verbs of perception:
➲ Know
➲ Believe I expect they will be
➲ Understand late.
➲ Realize
➲ Remember I think they will come
➲ Forget soon.
➲ Notice
➲ Recognize
➲ Think
➲ Seem
➲ See (=understand)

7. 4) Some other verbs such as:
➲ Be
➲ Contain
➲ Include My uncle owns a
➲ Belong hotel.
➲ Fit
➲ Need The bag costs two
➲ Matter dollars.
➲ Cost
➲ Mean
➲ Own
➲ Want
➲ Owe
➲ wish
etc.

8. Some of the above verbs are used
in continuous tenses when they
describe actions and not states!

9. ➲ I think he's lying.
➲ I'm thinking about the plan.

10. The food tastes delicious.
He's tasting the food.

11. I can see some people (= perceive with my eyes).
I see what you mean (= understand).
I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow (= meeting).

12. It looks as if they've finished the job (= appears).
Mike is looking out of the window (=is directing his
eyes).

13. This perfume smells nice (= has a nice smell).
He is smelling his milk (= is sniffing).

14. The baby's hair feels like silk (=has the
texture of).
She is feeling the baby's forehead (= is
touching).

15. Bob has a Porsche (= owns).
He's having a shower at the moment (= is taking a
shower).

16. The chicken weighs two kilos.
The butcher is weighing the meat (= is measuring
how heavy it is).

17. This dress fits you perfectly (=is your size).
We are fitting new lock (= are putting in).

18. He appears to be nervous (= seems).
He is appearing in a new play (= is taking part).

19. He is a rude person (= character – permanent
state).
He is being rude (= behaviour – temporary
situation).