Stative verbs

Stative verbs, like smell, love, have, hear, look, see are very important in English. Take look at this lesson to learn about stative verbs.

Stative Verbs

Stative verbs are used to describe a state instead of an action. 

It looks good. It is looking good.
I love you. I’m loving you.

Stative verbs are used in these situations:

  • thoughts and opinions: agreedoubtguessimagineknowthinkunderstand
  • feelings and emotions: dislikehatelikelovewant
  • senses and perceptions: appearbehearlookseesmelltaste
  • possession and measurement: belonghavemeasureownweigh.

Verbs that are sometimes stative

Many verbs can both describe states and actions

I see your point of view.
I’m seeing that movie later.

The first sentence expresses a perception of what someone sees. The second is talking about the action of seeing the movie.

Some other examples are:

have

I have a new bag (possession)

see

I see an issue here (opinion)

be

He’s so handsome (quality)

taste

This chocolate tastes sweet. (opinion)

Which sentence is correct?.

I ____ Michael, but he can’t ____ me

I _____ music coming from the Smith’s apartment

Which sentence is correct?

Your grade is: __

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