Stative verbs (also called state verbs) express states or conditions rather than actions.
- I want some chocolate.
- I have a cellphone.
- We own this car.
- He needs more time.
| Types of Stative Verbs | |||
| Senses | Emotions | Possession | Other |
| feel | love | have | owe |
| see | like | own | weigh |
| hear | hate | belong | lack |
| taste | want | include | cost |
| enjoy | fear | possess | depend |
We do not use a state verb in continuous form because it has a sense of continuity.
- ꭗ I am needing a new car. ✓ I need a new car.
- ꭗ You can’t pleasing him. ✓ You can’t please him.
- ꭗ She is seeming nervous. ✓ She seems nervous.
- ꭗ It sounding great! ✓ It sounds great!
Some verbs can be either action verbs or stative verbs.
Think
(believe) I think they will succeed. [stative verb]
(act of thinking) I am thinking about buying a new car. [action verb]
Have
(own) I have a cellphone. [stative verb]
(eat, take) I am having lunch. [action verb]
Taste
(have a flavor) The food tastes good. [stative verb]
(checking its taste, testing) I am tasting the food. [action verb]
