STATIVE VERBS – What are they? How can I use them?
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Stative verbs are used for our feelings, emotions and states.
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Stative verbs are the opposite of active verbs.
(active verbs: eat, play, dance, read, run etc.) -
Stative verbs are not used in continuous tenses.
The ‘ing’ form can still be used as a gerund!
Some verbs can be stative AND active.
These verbs will be in green.
List of stative verbs:
agree (also disagree)
I really agree with you on everything you’ve just said.
My husband and I pretty much agree on everything.
I am really agreeing with you…Remember! Don’t use stative verbs in a continuous tense!
be
I am Belgian.
This is the most beautiful photo of your baby I’ve ever seen!
This is being the most beautiful…
be active – only this moment
Why are you being so rude?
believe
I believe in ghosts. Do you?
I believe John is telling the truth.
belong
This grand mansion once belonged to the Duke of York. It is now a museum.
Excuse me, does this wallet belong to any of you? I found it in the corridor.
consist
This sailing course consists of two weeks intensive training plus a written nautical assessment.
The IELTS exam consists of a listening, reading, writing and speaking part.
contain
Excuse me, does the ‘chicken tikka masala’ curry contain peanuts? I’m allergic.
This room here contains all of the police evidence found at crime scenes.
depend
Of course we can play football later son. But it really depends on the weather.
I might go on holiday this year. It really depends on how much money I have.
deserve
This actress really deserves to win an Oscar.
Take a break Nuria. You really deserve to have a few days off.
dislike
What do you dislike about this design? I think it looks pretty good.
I know you love it, but I really dislike rap music.
doubt
I doubt Cara is really sick. I’m sure she’s just having a day off.
I wish I didn’t doubt myself so much.
fit
My clothes are finally starting to fit again after having my daughter in May.
Can you believe it? My sofa won’t fit in my new flat. I have to buy a new one!
hate
I absolutely hate it when people lick their fingers when eating.
Why do you hate going shopping so much?
have
I have an older sister name Lydia.
Excuse me Paul, do you have a minute?
have active – an experience
Everybody is having a wonderful time on this ski trip.
involve
Becoming a doctor involves years of hard work and study.
Of course you can come to my dance class. But you know it involves dancing with other people right?
know
Wow, Georgina knows all of the world capitals!
Do you know Frederick from the IT department?
lack
This office really lacks some colour. I think we should seriously invest in some artwork.
You have a beautiful voice Risa, but you lack that star quality we are looking for.
like
You won’t believe this, but I like drinking coffee with maple syrup in it.
What? Of course I like Judith. Who told you I didn’t?
look + adjective
You look lovely today. Is that a new dress?
Oscar looks so tired every day since his son was born.
look active – search
I’m looking for a new job at the moment.
look active – use your eyes
Look over there! I see a dolphin!
love
I love your new haircut!
Do you love me? Then show me!
matter
I know people say that money doesn’t matter, but it does to me.
How Dean looks matters to him a lot.
mean
student: What does ‘by heart’ mean?
teacher: It means that you know something because you’ve memorised it.
A wink can mean many things. It can mean: hello, I like you, shhh… it’s a secret etc.
mind
Excuse me, do you mind if I leave my bag here for a moment? I’ll be back in a second.
I really don’t mind the rain. In fact, I quite like it.
need
Oh my goodness Charlie, you really need a new pair of shoes.
I need a book to help me with my IELTS writing. Do you have any recommendations?
own
My uncle owns three Porches. Sometimes he lets me drive them!
I’m really not ready to own a house yet. I’ll keep saving for the time being.
possess
The gardenia flower possesses such an aromatic scent, that bees and butterflies are easily attracted to them.
Mary possesses this air of authority about her.
prefer
I prefer brunettes to blondes.
I think most people prefer owning a car to taking public transport.
(Here, ‘owning’ is a gerund. That’s why it has the ‘ing’!)
promise
I promise to love you forever.
Jerry promised to take the kids off my hands this weekend.
realise
therapist: Thank you for coming to speak to me today Linda. I realise that this is very difficult for you.
By the time I realised my wallet was missing, it was too late.
recognise
Do you recognise this man Clara?
I recognise that necklace. Is that the one I bought for you in 2010?
remember
I find it really difficult to remember all the rules regarding prepositions.
Do you remember that man we met at the bus stop last week? Well, believe it or not, he’s Valeria’s brother!
see
I can’t see very well without my glasses. (vision)
Oh I see. Thank you for your explanation. (understand)
see active – dating someone
Karl is seeing this lady his works with.
seem
Are you okay Evelynn? You seem a bit down.
Is it just me, or does it seem a bit quieter out than normal for a Monday?
smell
Wow Yolanda, this lasagne smells absolutely delicious.
The bathroom in my flat always smells so bad. I think maybe the drains are blocked.
sound
Your idea sounds fantastic Brian, but there just isn’t the budget for something like that.
How about a nice cheese plate and wine for dinner? Does that sound good?
suppose
I suppose the budget reduction plan makes sense, but it just seems a bit drastic.
A: Should we leave in a minute to beat the traffic?
B: I suppose so. We can finish up this work tomorrow.
taste
This coffee tastes a bit like caramel. I really like it.
I tasted the chicken wings, but they are way too spicy for me.
think
I don’t think children spend too much time on their phones, I think parents do! (opinion)
Who do you think will win the next election? (opinion)
think active– my thoughts now
A: What are you thinking about?
B: Oh, I’m just thinking about my doctor’s appointment tomorrow.
understand
I don’t speak Mandarin very well, but I understand a lot.
I understand Sam. You’ve fallen in love with someone else.
want
I want a nice pizza and a glass of wine so badly right now.
What do you really want in life?
wish
I wish I were taller. Then I could play basketball professionally.
If you wish upon a star, then all of your dreams will come true
