This document discusses state verbs and action verbs. State verbs describe a state of being and are not used in the present continuous tense when describing a state. Some examples of state verbs given are verbs related to senses, sentiments and desires, verbs expressing possession, and verbs indicating knowledge, opinions and beliefs. Action verbs describe an action or event and can be used in the present continuous tense.

1. STATE and ACTION
Verbs.

2. STATE VERBS
A state is when something stays the same.

3. ACTION VERBS
An action is when something happens.

4. STATE VERBS
They are Not used in the present continuous
when they describe states.
For example:
*I have a book. ( not I’m having a book)
*This soup tastes of garlic. ( not this soup is tasting of
garlic…)

5. STATE VERBS ARE:
1. Verbs related to senses
• hear
• see
• smell
• taste
• sound
• seem
• appear

6. 2. Verbs related to sentiments and desires
•
•
•
•
•
•
Like
love
hate
need
want
wish

7. 3. Verbs which express possession.
• have got
• own
• belong to
• possess

8. 4. Verbs which indicate price and
measurement.
• cost
• measure
• weigh

9. 5. Verbs which express knowledge, opinions
and beliefs.
• believe
• doubt
• forget
• guess
• hope
• imagine
• know
• agree/disagree
• prefer
• mean
• realize
• recognize
• remember
• suppose
• think
• understand

10. Note:
Some of them may be used in the continuous
when they express an action (not a state)
HAVE
He has a flat in London
He’s having a shower

11. Examples.
THINK.
He thinks Yamamba girls are skin deep
(have an opinion)
What is he thinking about?
(mental activity)

12. SEE
I see what you mean.
I’m seeing the doctor tomorrow.

13. WEIGH
He weighs 70 kilos.
He’s weighing the bag.

14. Some more examples of State Verbs
like
know
belong
love
realise
fit
hate
suppose
contain
want
mean
consist
need
understand
seem
prefer
believe
depend
agree
remember
matter
mind
recognise
see
own
appear
look (=seem)
sound
taste
smell
hear
astonish
deny
disagree
please
impress
satisfy
promise
surprise
doubt
think (=have an opinion)
feel (=have an opinion)
wish
imagine
concern
dislike
be
have
deserve
involve
include
lack
measure (=have length etc)
possess
owe