State verbs and Dynamic verbs in English
Use of state verbs
Not every verb can be used in a continuous form; we do not use verbs which express states this way. Verbs which describe actions (dynamic verbs) can be used in the continuous.
The following verbs are not normally used in continuous forms:
| Mental and Emotional States | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| believe | doubt | feel (opinion) | imagine |
| know | (dis)like | love | hate |
| prefer | realise | understand | know |
| realise | recognise | remember | see (understand) |
| think | understand | want | wish |
| Use of the Senses | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| appear | hear | look (seem) | see |
| seem | smell | sound | taste |
| Communication and Reactions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| (dis)agree | astonish | deny | impress |
| mean | please | promise | surprise |
| Others | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| be | belong | concern | consist |
| contain | depend | deserve | fit |
| include | involve | lack | matter |
| measure(have length) | need | owe | own |
| possess | weigh | ||
Sometimes state verbs can be used in continuous forms when they have certain meanings. In other meanings it is not possible to use them in continuous forms. Look at the following examples:
| Verb | Simple forms | Continuous forms |
|---|---|---|
| feel (to have an opinion) | I feel that this is the right thing to do. | — |
| feel (to feel sth.) | How do you feel about me? | I am not feeling very well today. |
| have (to possess) | I have a new car. | — |
| have (to eat) | I always have lunch in that restaurant. | I am having dinner with Susan tonight. |
| see (to understand) | Oh, I see. | — |
| see (to meet someone) | I often see Susan at the shops. | I am seeing Susan tonight. |
| think (to believe) | I think you are right. | — |
| think (to think about) | I must think about that. | I am thinking about what you said. |