In English, stative verbs are frequently used to express feelings, thoughts, and mental states. These verbs help speakers describe their internal perceptions toward people or situations. However, many English learners often confuse stative verbs with other types of verbs.
So, what exactly are stative verbs? How are they used correctly in different contexts? Let’s explore stative verbs and check your understanding with exercises provided by IDP.
1. What Are Stative Verbs?
Stative verbs describe conditions, feelings, senses, and perceptions. They represent a state rather than an action and are not typically used in continuous tenses (like present continuous or future continuous) since they express a fixed state at a specific moment.
Examples of stative verbs:
I love this song
That coffee smells good
Do you have a pen
2. Common Types of Stative Verbs
Stative verbs are categorized based on their meanings and how they are used in different contexts. Here are some of the most common groups:
Verbs of Emotion and Feeling:
want
like
hate
need
love
fear
admire
Verbs of Perception:
seem
hear
sound
taste
see
look
smell
recognise
Verbs Describing State:
exist
fit
be
depend
consist
own
belong
appear
Verbs of Thought and Opinion:
know
doubt
agree
understand
suppose
think
mind
realise
believe
Verbs of Possession:
have
possess
belong
own
include
lack
Verbs of Hope and Desire:
wish
hope
want
desire
3. Stative Verbs vs Action Verbs
Action Verbs | Stative Verbs |
|---|---|
Express physical actions or activities. | Describe states, feelings, or possession. |
Often lead to specific outcomes. | Often describe an internal state without a visible outcome. |
Used in all tenses, including continuous. | Not used in continuous forms (no -ing form). |
Examples:
Action verb: The children played happily in the sand.
Stative verb: Today, I feel so unpleasant.
Action verb: A computer can perform many tasks at once.
Stative verb: Jimmy owns two houses in Ohio.
4. Verbs That Can Be Both Stative and Action Verbs
Some verbs can function as both stative and action verbs depending on context. This flexibility can confuse learners, so it's important to learn how context changes their function.
Verb | Action Verb Example | Stative Verb Example |
|---|---|---|
think | I am thinking of investing in a new house. | I think he is right. |
feel | I am feeling unwell today. | I feel so happy right now. |
smell | The cat is smelling strangers. | The soup smells delicious. |
have | We are having lunch now. | Children have dreams. |
see | Are you seeing someone? | I see what you mean. |
turn | She is turning left. | The sky is turning grey. |
appear | She is appearing on TV. | It appears to be true. |
5. When to Use Continuous Tense with Stative Verbs
In some cases, stative verbs can appear in continuous forms. Here’s when it is acceptable:
1. When the verb has both stative and dynamic meanings
The pizza smells good.
I am smelling the flowers.
2. To describe a state that is changing
I am understanding more about the topic every day.
He seemed to be regretting his decision.
3. To emphasize emotional intensity
I am loving this experience.
I am seeing things more clearly now.
4. To describe temporary states
I am liking this show lately.
The kids are loving their holiday.
5. To sound polite or indirect
I was wondering if you could help me.
I was hoping for your support.
6. When stative verbs are in reduced relative clauses
My luggage, weighing over 20kg, is not allowed on board.
6. Stative Verbs Exercises with Answers
Exercise 1: Use the correct tense (present simple or present continuous)
I ______ a great time on the beach now. (have)
He ______ a large plot of land. (own)
Many people ______ that he is a good man. (believe)
She ______ the dentist. (see)
I ______ what you mean. (see)
Answers:
am having
owns
believe
is seeing
see
Exercise 2: Complete the sentences using stative verbs
Word bank: think, look, hope, feel, belong, seem, own, have, smell, like, love, believe, see, taste
She ______ that the weather will be nice.
The new restaurant ______ by a famous chef.
They ______ the idea of traveling the world.
It ______ like he is not interested.
I ______ a lot of homework tonight.
The roses ______ amazing.
She does not ______ the complexity.
They ______ to visit the Eiffel Tower.
He ______ his job.
I do not ______ what you say.
The cookies ______ delicious.
She ______ a bright future.
The old painting ______ like it is from the Renaissance.
We ______ to run a successful business.
I ______ a sense of peace in the countryside.
Answers:
hopes
is owned
like
seems
have
smell
understand
want
loves
believe
taste
hopes
looks
hope
feel
Master Stative Verbs with IDP
Understanding stative verbs and how to use them properly is essential for scoring high on the IELTS exam. IDP offers a wide range of IELTS preparation resources, including expert-led IELTS workshops, tailored IELTS courses, and weekly free IELTS mock tests closely aligned with the actual exam, assessed by Cambridge standards.
Start your IELTS journey with IDP today!