Stative verbs

 

Some verbs are only (or mostly) used in simple tenses, and are not used in continuous tenses. An example of a simple tense is the present simple, or the past simple. An example of a continuous tense is the present continuous or past continuous. These verbs are called stative, or state verbs. A verb which isn’t stative is called a dynamic verb, and is usually an action. Often stative verbs are about liking or disliking something, or about a mental state, not about an action.

Agree:

• Correct: Sarah doesn’t agree with us.
• Not correct: She isn’t agreeing with us.

 

Appear:

• Correct: It appears to be snowing.
• Not correct: It is appearing to be snowing.

 

Believe:

• Correct: I don’t believe her.
• Not correct: I am not believing her.

 

Belong:

• Correct: This book belonged to my grandmother.
• Not correct: This book was belonging to my grandmother.

 

Concern:

• Correct: This concerns you.
• Not correct: This is concerning you.

 

Consist:

• Correct: Bread consists of flour, water and yeast.
• Not correct: Bread is consisting of flour, water and yeast.

 

Contain:

• Correct: This box contains a big cake.
• Not correct: This box is containing a big cake.

 

Depend:

• Correct: It depends on you.
• Not correct: It’s depending on you.

 

Deserve:

• Correct: He deserves to pass that exam.
• Not correct: He is deserving to pass that exam.

 

Disagree:

• Correct: I disagree with Tom.
• Not correct: I am disagreeing with Tom.

 

Dislike:

• Correct: I have disliked potatoes for years.
• Not correct: I have been disliking potatoes for years.

 

Doubt:

• Correct: I doubt what you are saying.
• Not correct: I am doubting what you are saying.

 

Feel (= have an opinion):

• Correct: I don’t feel that this is a good idea.
• Not correct: I am not feeling that this is a good idea.

 

Fit:

• Correct: This skirt fits me well.
• Not correct: This skirt is fitting me well.

 

Hate:

• Correct: Julie’s always hated cats.
• Not correct: Julie’s always been hating cats.

 

Imagine:

• Correct: I imagine you must be tired.
• Not correct: I am imagining you must be tired.

 

Impress:

• Correct: He impressed me with his story.
• Not correct: He was impressing me with his story.

 

Include:

• Correct: This cookbook includes a recipe for bread.
• Not correct: This cookbook is including a recipe for bread.

 

Involve:

• Correct: The job involves a lot of travelling.
• Not correct: The job is involving a lot of travelling.

 

Know:

• Correct: I’ve known George for ten years.
• Not correct: I’ve been knowing George for ten years.

 

Like:

• Correct: I like reading detective stories.
• Not correct: I am liking reading detective stories.

 

Love:

• Correct: I love chocolate.
• Not correct: I’m loving chocolate.

 

Matter:

• Correct: It doesn’t matter.
• Not correct: It isn’t mattering.

 

Mean:

• Correct: ‘Enormous’ means ‘very big’.
• Not correct: ‘Enormous’ is meaning ‘very big’.

 

Measure (= be long):

• Correct: This window measures 150cm.
• Not correct: This window is measuring 150cm.

 

Mind:

• Correct: She doesn’t mind the noise.
• Not correct: She isn’t minding the noise.

 

Need:

• Correct: At three o’clock yesterday I needed a taxi.
• Not correct: At three o’clock yesterday I was needing a taxi.

 

Owe:

• Correct: I owe you £20.
• Not correct: I am owing you £20.

 

Own:

• Correct: She owns two cars.
• Not correct: She is owning two cars.

 

Prefer:

• Correct: I prefer chocolate ice cream.
• Not correct: I am preferring chocolate ice cream.

 

Promise:

• Correct: I promise to help you tomorrow.
• Not correct: I am promising to help you tomorrow.

 

Realise:

• Correct: I didn’t realise the problem.
• Not correct: I wasn’t realising the problem.

 

Recognise:

• Correct: I didn’t recognise my old friend.
• Not correct: I wasn’t recognising my old friend.

 

Remember:

• Correct: He didn’t remember my name.
• Not correct: He wasn’t remembering my name.

 

Seem:

• Correct: The weather seems to be improving.
• Not correct: The weather is seeming to be improving.

 

Sound:

• Correct: Your idea sounds great.
• Not correct: Your idea is sounding great.

 

Suppose:

• Correct: I suppose John will be late.
• Not correct: I’m supposing John will be late.

 

Surprise:

• Correct: The noise surprised me.
• Not correct: The noise was surprising me.

 

Understand:

• Correct: I don’t understand this question.
• Not correct: I’m not understanding this question.

 

Want:

• Correct: I want to go to the cinema tonight.
• Not correct: I am wanting to go to the cinema tonight.

 

Weigh (= have weigh):

• Correct: This cake weighs 450g.
• Not correct: This cake is weighing 450g.

 

Wish:

• Correct: I wish I had studied more.
• Not correct: I am wishing I had studied more.