English Action and State verbs
1.
In English language there are verbs that are not normally used in theContinuous Tense, because they describe rather state than an action.They are called
state verb
(
stative verbs
,
non-progressive verbs
).The verbs that can be used in the Continuous Tense arecalled
action verbs
(
dynamic verbs
).Some verbs can be both
state
and
action verbs
depending on theirmeaning.2. Here are some verbs that are not normally used inthe Continuous Tense.
like dislike love hate
prefer remember forget believe
mean seem understand want
need know belong own
3.
4.
Here are some a few verbs that can be both
state
and
actionverbs
depending on their meaning.
o
I think you made a mistake.think = believeI am thinking about my mum now.think = mental process
o
I have two cars.have = possess, ownI am having my lunch now.have = eat
o
I am seeing my friend tomorrow evening.see = meeting withI see what you mean.See = understand
English Action and State Verbs - Practice
Decide if these English verbs are
action verbs
,
state verbs,
or can be both
action and state verbs
.enjoy read
þÿ þÿ
weigh feelmind prefersmell hearplay burnmatter measurecontain agreelook worry
Check It!
English Action and State Verbs - More Practice
Choose the correct form of the verb depending on whether in this meaning it is an action ora state verb. If both the Present Continuous and the Present Simple tenses are possible, usethe Present Continuous tense.
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1.
a) Why are you smelling the soup?b) Why do you smell the soup?
2.
a) She was feeling his arm on her shoulder.b) She felt his arm on her shoulder.
3.
a) Are you having an English dictionary?b) Do you have an English dictionary?
4.
a) What are you thinking about?b) What do you think about?
þÿ þÿþÿ þÿþÿ þÿþÿ þÿþÿ þÿþÿ þÿþÿ þÿ
5.
a) I am feeling much better today.b) I feel much better today.
6.
a) What are you looking at?b) What do you look at?
7.
a) I am not hearing you.b) I can't hear you.
8.
a) What are you thinking of me?b) What do you think of me?
9.
a) I am feeling we should go home now.b) I feel we should go home now.
10.
a) This bread is tasting funny.b) This bread tastes funny.11.
12.
Solution to Quiz
13.
14.
Question 1=aQuestion 2=bQuestion 3=bQuestion 4=aQuestion 5=aQuestion 6=aQuestion 7=bQuestion 8=bQuestion 9=bQuestion 10=b