The document summarizes the differences between stative verbs and action verbs. It provides examples of common stative verbs like see, hear, feel, taste, think, believe, and be. While these verbs usually don't have continuous forms, some stative verbs can have continuous forms but with a difference in meaning compared to the simple form. It then provides a chart contrasting the simple and continuous forms of example stative verbs and their differences in implied meaning. Following this is a short quiz checking understanding of when certain verbs take simple or continuous forms.

1. Unit 1 4º ESO
They describe a permanent state, so, they don’t usually have a continuous form. These are:
- Verbs of senses: see, hear, smell, feel, taste…
- Verbs of opinion: agree, believe, consider, think, know…
- Verbs of emotions: feel, forgive, hate, like, love…
- Other verbs: be, appear, seem, belong, have (possess), look (appear), need…
 Some stative verbs have continuous forms but there is a difference in meaning. Have a look:
STATE ACTION
I think she’s rich. (= I believe) I’m thinking about your plan. (=I’m considering)
The milk tastes awful. (=it has a bad flavour) He’s tasting the sauce; it might need some salt.
(=he’s trying its flavour)
He has a pet dog. (= he owns) He’s having dinner now. (=he’s eating)
This cloth feels like velvet. (has the texture) She’s feeling her way in the dark. (=she’s finding
her way)
I see you’re in trouble. (= I understand) I’m seeing my lawyer tonight. (=I’m visiting)
The kitchen smells of burnt meat. (=has the Why are you smelling your food? (=trying the
smell) smell)
He comes from Spain. (=he was born in) He’s coming from Spain. (=he’s travelling from)
I love holidays. (=in general) I’m loving this holiday. (=I’m enjoying; specific)
Your hair looks great. (= it appears) She’s looking at some photographs. (=she’s
examining)
Ann is very tall. Ann is being very kind to me these days. (=she’s
behaving)
A) Check whether or not you understood the previous chart. Check your answers having a look at
the next page.
1. I ……………………..that the situation is out of control. (see)
2. The sausages …………………….. delicious. (taste)
3. …………………….. this party? (you / enjoy)
4. You haven’t said a word all morning. What …………………….. about? (you / think)
5. He …………………….. a Siamese cat. (have)
6. These flowers …………………….. nice. (smell)
7. I …………………….. where she keeps the keys. (not know)
8. Why …………………….. your pockets? Have you lost anything? (you / feel)
9. Why …………………….. the milk? Do you think it has gone off? (you / smell)
10. Ann is Italian. She …………………….. from Italy. (come)
11. That dress …………………….. nice on you. (look)
12. Paul …………………….. to a new record in his room. (listen)
13. If you …………………….. at that comic, I’d like to see it. (not look)
14. Joan …………………….. 50 kilos. (weigh)
15. Mary …………………….. very naughty these days. (be)

2. Unit 1 4º ESO
ANSWERS:
1. See
2. Taste
3. Are you enjoying
4. Are you thinking
5. Has
6. Smell
7. Don’t know
8. Are you feeling
9. Are you smelling
10. Comes
11. Looks
12. Is listening
13. Aren’t looking
14. Weighs
15. Is being