Stative Verbs in English

The importance of knowing the verbs in English is CRUCIAL. Perhaps you remember that in the post of the verb tenses in English we commented on several occasions that there was not everything. We wanted to make a slightly less data heavy posts, to focus only on the foundations of verb tenses. In today’s post we are going to talk about one of the branches that come out of the verb tenses and that you should know: the static verbs in English or ‘Stative verbs’.

What are ‘Stative Verbs’?

They are verbs that CANNOT be used continuously , that is, in those verbs that must be conjugated continuously, they will NOT be formulated like this. Statives Verbs are verbs that describe states, conditions, and situations.

For example: remember – remembering; want – wanting…

Verbs that CAN be formulated continuously are called Dynamic Verbs, for example: work – working.

What categories do ‘Stative Verbs’ have?

They can be grouped into several, such as:

1. State verbs: They express opinion.

• agree, think, believe, disagree, feel, doubt, depend, understand, know, mean, remember, seem, look (= seem), mind, suppose, guess, appear, matter, concern, realize

2. Verbs about likes

• like, dislike, prefer, love, hate.

3. Verbs about possession

• have, possess, belong, own, owe, lack, include, involve

4. Verbs that express characteristics of something

• weigh, measure, consist, contain

5. Verbs that express need

• need, want, wish, deserve …

6. Verbs related to perception

• sound, hear, taste, see, smell, imagine, recognize, satisfy

Are there any exceptions to ‘Stative Verbs’?

Yes, they are the so-called Mixed Verbs . They are verbs that can be formulated as Stative Verbs but also as Dynamic Verbs. They are also verbs that include under themselves, different meanings, and are:

• be, have, think, see, taste (smell), and mind.

Let’s see one by one why they can be static or dynamic.

• The verb to be’

She is friendly —> Ella es amable.

Here we find the static form of the verb, because it is a characteristic of that person

She is being friendly —> Ella está siendo amable

Here the verb becomes dynamic, because in reality, it is not usually friendly; but at that moment it is. It is not an innate characteristic of that person.

• The verb ‘to have’

I have a job —> Tengo un trabajo

We find in this example, one of the forms of static verbs, when they refer to possession

Are you having a good time? —> ¿Lo estás pasando bien?

• The verb ‘to think’

I think it is wrong to smoke —> Pienso que está mal fumar

Here the verb think is in opinion mode, so it should be treated as a static verb

I’m thinking about buying a new car —> Estoy pensando en comprarme un coche nuevo

In this sentence it reflects a thought, an idea, simply.

• The verb ‘to see’ :

This verb is very particular, because it can have different meanings. If it is in static mode, it can mean seeing or understanding ; but, if it is switched to dynamic mode, it has two other different meanings which are meeting someone or having a relationship. 

I see what you mean—> Entiendo lo que quieres decir
I see you now, you are in front of the bookshop —> Ahora te veo, estás delante de la librería

Two clear examples of the verb To See in static mode, with their two corresponding meanings

I´m seeing Mary this afternoon —> Voy a ver a Mary esta tarde
I´ve been seeing my girlfriend since last August —> He estado viendo a mi novia desde agosto del año pasado

The verb becomes dynamic when it refers to the verbs to meet someone or have a relationship.

• ‘to taste’

The food tastes good —> La comida sabe bien

Static form, is giving an opinion
The cook is tasting the food —> El cocinero está probando la comida

Dynamic way, the cook is performing an action.

• The verb to mind

I don’t mind if we watch a movie tonight —> No me molesta si vemos una película esta noche

The verb mind, reflects a state of mind, becomes static.

I’m minding my own business —> Me estoy ocupando de mi negocio

The verb becomes dynamic as it represents an action that the speaker is performing.

Finally, we want to leave you this table with the different static verbs that exist.

This was one of the topics we wanted to talk about when formulating verb tenses, in this case, the continuous ones. But still there are more “branches” to deal with this great topic, which we will explain little by little on the blog.

We hope it has been of help to you and has clarified doubts if you have them. And if you have any questions related to the next calls for any official English exam, here are the closest ones. 🙂