State verbs

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 3

State vs active verbs

Stative/state verbs describe a state rather than an action. They aren't usually used in the present continuous form.

state verbs

Verbs are divided into 3 types

Action > dynamic: 

• jump 
• eat
• cry 

all tenses:

> simple

> continuous

> perfect

both 

• think 
• have
• feel

State > condition

• know
• understand
• believe 

NOT continuous

> I know

> I knew

> I have know 

> I had known

X I am knowing

Special cases: sense verbs

Can be used as both a state verb and an action verb because they each have two different meanings.

No action/a condition/ a state

This smells bad

This tastes salty

I feel sick. 

Action / happening now

I am smelling my armpits

I am tasting the coffee. 

I am feeling the top of the desk.

Special cases:  the verb think

Can be used as both a state verb and an action verb because they each have two different meanings.

No action/a condition/ a state

I think pink is cute colour.

> belief, or an opinion. 

Action / happening now

I am thinking of the answer

> using my brain to try and find the answer

Special cases:  the verb have

Can be used as both a state verb and an action verb because they each have two different meanings.

No action/a condition/ a state

I have a pen

> possession. 

idioms that are actions

I am having a baby 

> to give birth

I am having a party

> to host a party

We are having trouble

> to have difficulty with sth

Check your understanding

1. I ___ (know) the answer. 
2. The child ___ (watch) the TV show now. 
3. This cake ____ (taste) delicious.
4. My father ____ (not/own) a car.
5. I ___ (wear) a blue sweater today.
6. Jane ____ (seem) a little angry today. 
7. People ___ (do) yoga in the park across the street right now. 
8. Chantal ___ (think) that English is easy.  

Check your understanding - Answers

1. I know the answer. 
2. The child is watching the TV show now. 
3. This cake tastes delicious.
4. My father doesn't own a car.
5. I am wearing a blue sweater today.
6. Jane seems a little angry today. 
7. People are doing yoga in the park across the street right now. 
8. Chantal thinks that English is easy.  

That can't be right! I ______ you.

1. don't believe
2. 'm not believing

My holiday's next week. I _____ myself on the beach right now!

1. imagine
3. 'm imagining

I've changed the design slightly. What _____?

1. do you think
2. are you thinking

She's not answering. _____ her phone with her?

1. Does she have
2. Is she having

Fifty-three? Are you sure that's the answer, or _____?

1. do you guess
2. are you guessing

The film's on at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Which _____?

1. do you prefer
2. are you preferring

Where's Grandad? Oh, he _____ the flowers in the garden.
smells

1. smells
2. is smelling

I don't know, but I _____ he'll win the election.

1. 'm doubting
2. doubt