State verbs

Stative verbs

Stative verbs express a permanent state rather than an action and do not have continuous form.
These are:
- verbs of senses (involuntary action): feel, hear, see, smell, taste. Feel and hurt can be used in either continuous or simple form: John is feeling/feels worse today.
- verbs of feeling and emotions: adore, appreciate, detest, dislike, enjoy, forgive, hate, love, like. - He hates the show they are watching on TV now.
- verbs of opinion: agree, believe, expect (=think), see (=understand), suppose, understand. - I believe he is innocent.
- other verbs: appear (=seem), belong, concern, contain, depend, fit, have (=possess), know, mean, owe, own, need, prefer, require.

I am thinking about his offer. (I am considering)
He is tasting the food to see if it is good. (he is tasting the flavour)

Action

He thinks he is really clever. (believes)
What does it taste like? (What is its flavour?)

State

She is having lunch now. (eating)
I am seeing her tonight. (meeting)
I am loving/enjoying this film.
(like specifically)

Action

She has two houses. (possess)
Do you see what I mean? (understand)
I love/enjoy good films. (in general)

State

The opera singer is appearing on stage tonight. (he will make an appearance)
He is being naughty. (he is misbehaving)

Action

He apppears to be working. (seems to be)
He is naughty. (his character is bad)

State