STATIVE VERBS

Stative Verbs are not action verbs They are not generally used in

continuous / progressive tense. They are things that simply are true.

The truth generally doesn’t change. They are verbs about:

Thoughts Possession Emotions Body senses Other (Opinion, definition, etc.)

Thoughts Many people believe in

democracy. Other people don’t believe in it.

Jack knows how to dance. Engineers understand

Pythagorean’s Theorem. We think guns are dangerous.

There’s no action. It is simply true. It probably won’t change.

Possessions

You belong in our family! I have way too many books!

She owns how many pets? Seven? That’s a lot of animals to take care of!

Emotions We appreciate all your help!

I hate bondaeggi! Blech! The kids love amusement parks!

Do we really care about the environment?

Body Senses BE CAREFUL! These are often action OR stative verbs: Action: The child is smelling the flower

(the action of breathing in and out and experiencing scent) This changes.

Stative: The incense smells wonderful!

This doesn’t really change.

Other Seems – Mr. Ma seems like a good man.

(I don’t know for sure. His manner makes me think he is a good man.)

Means – To express a definition. means seize the day or live with passion. has many meanings. In Spanish it

means *I*, in Korean it is a respectful ending, and in English it means *HEY!*

Stative Verbs for the Five Senses

See – looks Hear – sounds Smell – smells Touch – feels Taste – tastes

Senses: V + adj John’s hat looks warm! That guitar sounds soothing

and gentle. Your perfume smells great! A cat’s tongue feels

scratchy. That candy tastes sour.

Senses: V + like + noun

John’s hat looks like a cowboy hat! That guitar sounds like a waterfall. Your perfume smells like flowers

and vanilla! A cat’s tongue feels like

sandpaper. That candy tastes like lemons.

Pamila J. Florea, MA Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Practical English Department Yongin, South Korea

Always searching for intersections where joy and learning meet.