stative verbs

Most verbs express an action: drink; laugh; allow...

Verbs like these are called "dynamic" verbs. However, there are some verbs which don't express an action. They express a state which is not changing. These are known as "stative verbs". Some examples of stative verbs are: be; seem; have; want; smell

For the most part, we don't use stative verbs in their continuous form ("is seeming", "are wanting", etc.) However, there are exceptions to this rule, and some verbs can be used in either stative or dynamic. These are OK:

I'm having some trouble with it.

You're being annoying.

What are you thinking about?

Each of the lessons below contain a stative verb.

1. “I need to work off these love handles.”

2. “Darn, I don't have anything to peel it with!”

3. “It sounds vaguely familiar.”

4. “It seems like it was only yesterday that we first met here.”

5. “That world seems so foreign to me.”

6. “We're no longer able to afford the mortgage payments.”

7. “I didn't even know who any of the candidates were in most of the races.”

8. “Do you know whether that would be covered by my insurance?”

9. “I hear some kind of siren in the background.”

10. “Look on the bright side. You've still got your health and your family.”

11. “That looks serious.”

12. “These do look good for a mobile phone.”

13. “I don't know how you do it.”

14. “What was it that you wanted me to look at?”

15. “Do you know if it's mandatory?”

16. “Oh, hey Debbie. Sorry, I meant to call someone else.”

17. “I have to admit, I do prefer bottled water.”