STATIVE VERBS

Pamila J. Florea

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.