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Stative verbs are verbs that do not appear in continuous tenses (Present Continuous, Past Continuous, Past Perfect Continuous, Future Continuous and Future Perfect Continuous). In other words, these verbs never take the –ing ending (unless they are used as gerunds). When we want to use stative verbs with present or past reference, we put them in simple tenses (ex: Present Simple or Past Simple). Ex: I need some money; can you lend it to me? (Not: I’m needing some money) Some verbs can be both stative and active (=can be used in continuous tenses) but their meanings are usually different. Ex: I see your bag, but I can’t reach it. (STATIVE – ‘See’ means here ‘to use one’s eyes'). Ex: I’ve been seeing Peter for a year. (ACTIVE – ‘See’ means here ‘to have a relationship with’). Other examples: Active Meaning Stative Meaning You’re being silly! Not in general, just You are silly. That is my opinion of BE

FEEL

I’m having a party tonight. I’m not feeling well.

LOOK

She is looking at me.

now. I am organizing a party. Synonymous with the stative meaning She is watching me.

TASTE

The chef is tasting the soup. I’m thinking about you.

The chef is checking if the soup is spiced well. You are on my mind at the moment.

HAVE

THINK

Complete list of Stative Verbs: AGREE APPEAR BE * BELIEVE CONCERN CONSIST DAUBT DENY FEEL * FIT HATE HAVE * IMAGINE IMPRESS KNOW LACK LIKE MATTER MEAN NEED OWE OWN PLEASE POSSESS REALISE RECOGNIZE SATISFY SEE * TASTE * THINK * UNDERSTAND WANT WEIGH *

I have two cats. I don’t feel well. She looks great! The soup tastes great! I think he is a good president.

ASTONISH BELONG CONTAIN DEPEND

DESERVE

HEAR INCLUDE

INVOLVE

LOOK* MEASURE *

LOVE MIND

PREFER REMEMBER SEEM

PROMISE SMELL *

you in general. I am the owner of the two cats. Synonymous with the active meaning Her appearance is great. We describe the flavor of the soup. That is my general opinion.

DISAGREE

DISLIKE

SUPPOSE

SURPRISE

*The verb can be either stative or active, depending on its meaning.

Stative Verbs – Exercises Ex. 1 Fill the gaps with correct forms of the verbs given below. Remember to put them in appropriate tenses! AGREE DESERVE UNDERSTAND MIND BELONG OWN REALISE MATTER APPEAR IMPRESS KNOW SUPPOSE CONCERN PREFER 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

OWE

It doesn’t ……………………….if you train all the time when you don’t have the talent. Paul’s showing off doesn’t …………………………….anybody. It’s just silly. I ……………………..pizza to salads. Do you ……………………if I open the window? How much do I ……………………you for the dinner last weekend? I ……………………..with the president’s opinions on improving the health care system. Anna ……………………………..to get that job last year, but now she seems to be lazy. Brad Pitt …………………….in many movies, most of them were actually very good. I don’t know for sure who stole the money, but I ………………………it was Jenna. How could you sell my golden earrings?! They …………………………..to me! Do you …………………………..what he says? His accent is too strong for me. Your lack of money doesn’t ………………………me. It is your problem. Peter doesn’t …………………………this house, he’s just renting it. I broke up with Stephen when I …………………………..that he was cheating on me. Do you ………………………anybody who could help me with my driving?

Ex. 2 Decide whether the verbs should be put in their active or stative forms. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

Stop acting like a baby! You ………………………………….silly! BE The cook ………………………………the soup at the moment. TASTE Where are you? I …………………………………you! NOT SEE These perfumes ………………………………..lovely! SMELL Jenny! Stop ………………………the flowers in the garden and do your homework! SMELL This wardrobe ……………………….almost 3 meters. MEASURE I ………………………………a party next week, will you come? HAVE This chicken ……………………………..delicious! What spices are there? TASTE I’m not with Jack anymore. I ……………………………Tom now. SEE What ………………you……………………..about? You look sad. THINK She ………………………great since she lost weight. LOOK The doctor ………………………..a patient at the moment. He will be with you soon. WEIGH Your bag ……………………….a ton! WEIGH

Do you agree with the statement that nowadays young people are becoming more and more aggressive?

What concerns you the most about the world we live in?

What do you think about the country you live in?

Do you mind when people smoke next to you?

What does your character lack?

What impresses you in other people?

Do you doubt in some of the popular opinions about the history, politics, etc?

Have you ever disagreed with somebody even though you knew you weren’t right?

Do you remember the last time when you were truly astonished by something?

What does ‘happiness’ mean to you?

Do you own something precious?

Have you ever owed somebody a lot of money?

What matters the most in life?

Do you often promise people things you can’t do?

Do you depend on other people’s opinion in life?