Stative verbs in English

Stative verbs describe states rather than actions or processes. They are commonly used to talk about thoughts, feelings, senses, possession and measurements, and they are not usually used in continuous forms. However, some verbs can be stative or dynamic depending on their meaning.

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The difference between stative verbs and dynamic verbs

A stative verb is a verb used to describe a state, while a dynamic verb is a verb used to describe an action or process.

A state is a condition or situation that we present as existing, rather than as something happening, changing or developing. Stative meanings commonly describe things such as what someone knows, believes, feels, wants or owns, as well as relationships, appearances and measurements.

This difference is particularly important when using continuous forms. Dynamic verbs can normally be used in continuous forms, but stative verbs are not normally used in continuous forms when they describe a state:

• ❌ She’s owning two apartments.
• ✅ She owns two apartments.

• ❌ I’m knowing the answer.
• ✅ I know the answer.

Common types of stative verbs

Stative verbs often describe thoughts and opinions, feelings and preferences, senses and appearance, possession and relationships, or measurements and characteristics. The following are some of the most common stative verbs in English:

Although lists of common stative verbs can be useful for learners, strictly speaking, it is not the verb itself that determines whether something is a state or an action. It is the meaning of the verb in the context of the sentence. The same verb can describe a state in one situation and an action or process in another. When it describes a state, we do not normally use a continuous form.

Verbs that have both stative and dynamic meanings

Some verbs can describe either a state or an action, depending on their meaning. When a verb has a stative meaning, it is not normally used in a continuous form. When the same verb has a dynamic meaning, continuous forms are possible.
Compare the following examples:

Think: stative or dynamic?

Think is stative when it means have an opinion or belief. It is dynamic when it means consider something or actively use your thoughts.

• I am thinking about buying a new house. (dynamic)
• I think (that) my house is too small. (stative)

• My dad was thinking about visiting France. (dynamic)
• My dad thinks that France is a great place to visit. (stative)

Verbs of the senses: stative or dynamic?

Some sense verbs can have both stative and dynamic meanings. When they describe a perception or how something appears, sounds, smells or tastes, they are usually stative. When they describe a deliberate action involving the senses, they can be dynamic.

• I was tasting the food when I burnt my tongue. (dynamic)
• The soup tastes delicious. (stative)

• Your cat is looking at that bird. (dynamic)
• Your cat looks friendly. (stative)

Have: stative or dynamic?

Have is stative when it describes possession, ownership or a relationship. However, have is dynamic in many expressions that describe activities, such as have breakfast, have a shower, have a party or have a conversation.

• My cats are having their breakfast. (dynamic activity)
• I have two cats. (stative possession)

• My neighbour was having a party last night. (dynamic)
• My neighbour has a strange taste in music. (stative)

Be: stative or dynamic?

Be is normally stative when it describes a quality, characteristic or state. However, we can use be in a continuous form to describe temporary behaviour, particularly when we mean that someone is acting or behaving in a particular way.

• He is being really rude today. (temporary behaviour)
• He is rude to everyone. (general characteristic)
• Why are you being so quiet? (temporary behaviour)
• You are normally very talkative. (general characteristic)

Measurement verbs: stative or dynamic?

Verbs such as measure and weigh are stative when they describe the measurement of something. They are dynamic when they describe the action of taking a measurement.

• Tony is measuring the space we need for the new wardrobe. (dynamic)
• The wardrobe measures 2 metres from top to bottom. (stative)

• My dog bit the vet when he was weighing him. (dynamic)
• The vet said my dog weighs too much. (stative)

Stative verbs in continuous forms

Stative verbs are not usually used in continuous forms, but this is a general rule rather than an absolute rule. Speakers sometimes use a normally stative verb in a continuous form to present a situation as temporary, changing or particularly relevant at the moment.

For example, verbs such as love and like can sometimes be used continuously to emphasise a temporary experience or reaction:

• I’m loving Taylor Swift’s new album.
• I’m really liking my new job.

Continuous forms can also emphasise that a situation is developing, temporary or affecting the present situation:

• Your mistakes are costing this company a lot of money.
• I’m understanding more about the problem every day.
• It’s looking like we won’t meet the deadline.

These uses do not mean that stative verbs can always be used continuously. In most neutral situations, the simple form is still the normal choice:

• ✅ I understand what you mean.
• ❌ I’m understanding what you mean.

• ✅ She loves chocolate.
• ❌ She’s loving chocolate.

Common mistakes with stative verbs

The most common mistakes with stative verbs involve using a continuous form when the verb describes a state, or forgetting that some verbs can have both stative and dynamic meanings.

Remember that the verb itself is not always enough to decide which form to use. With verbs such as think, have, look, taste, be, measure and weigh, the meaning of the verb in the sentence determines whether it is stative or dynamic.

Free stative verbs worksheets