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Stative (state) and dynamic verbs

How to use stative (state) and dynamic verbs

Some English verbs, which we call state stative verbs, aren't used in continuous tenses. These verbs often describe states. Here is a list of some common ones:

Stative (or State) Verb List

Like , know, belong , love, realise, fit, hate, suppose, contain , want, mean , consist, need, understand, seem, prefer, believe, depend, agree, remember, matter, mind, recognize, see, own, appear, look (=seem), sound, taste, smell, hear, astonish, deny, disagree, please, impress, satisfy, promise, surprise, doubt, think (=have an opinion), feel (=have an opinion),wish, imagine, concern, dislike, be, have, deserve, involve, include, lack, measure =have length ,possess, owe, weigh (=have weight).

A verb which isn't stative is called a dynamic verb and is usually an action.

Some verbs can be both stative and dynamic:

Be

be is usually a stative verb, but when it is used in the continuous it means 'behaving' or 'acting'

you are smart = it's part of your personality

you are being smart = only now, not usually

Think

think (stative) = have an opinion

I think that tea is great

think (dynamic) = consider

what are you thinking about? I'm thinking about my life.

Have

have (stative) = own

I have a car

have (dynamic) = part of an expression

I'm having a party / a picnic / a bath / a good time / a break

See

see (stative) = see with your eyes / understand

I see what you mean.

I see him now, he's just coming along the road.

see (dynamic) = meet / have a relationship with

I've been seeing my girlfriend for three years.

I'm seeing Anna tomorrow.

Taste

taste (stative) = has a certain taste

This soup tastes great.

The coffee tastes really bitter.

taste (dynamic) = the action of tasting

The chef is tasting the soup now.