State verbs

State vs active verbs
Stative/state verbs describe a state rather than an action. They aren't usually used in the present continuous form.
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EngelsMiddelbare schoolhavo, vwoLeerjaar 3

This lesson contains 17 slides, with interactive quizzes and text slides.

time-iconLesson duration is: 30 min

Items in this lesson

State vs active verbs
Stative/state verbs describe a state rather than an action. They aren't usually used in the present continuous form.

Slide 1 - Slide

state verbs

Slide 2 - Slide

Verbs are divided into 3 types
Action > dynamic: 
  • jump 
  • eat
  • cry 

all tenses:
> simple
> continuous
> perfect
both 
  • think 
  • have
  • feel


State > condition
  • know
  • understand
  • believe 

NOT continuous
> I know
I knew
> I have know 
> I had known

X I am knowing

Slide 3 - Slide

Slide 4 - Slide

Special cases: sense verbs
Can be used as both a state verb and an action verb because they each have two different meanings.
No action/a condition/ a state

This smells bad
This tastes salty
I feel sick. 
Action / happening now

I am smelling my armpits
I am tasting the coffee. 
I am feeling the top of the desk.

Slide 5 - Slide

Special cases:  the verb think
Can be used as both a state verb and an action verb because they each have two different meanings.
No action/a condition/ a state

I think pink is cute colour.
> belief, or an opinion. 
Action / happening now

I am thinking of the answer
> using my brain to try and find the answer

Slide 6 - Slide

Special cases:  the verb have
Can be used as both a state verb and an action verb because they each have two different meanings.
No action/a condition/ a state

I have a pen
> possession. 
idioms that are actions

I am having a baby 
> to give birth
I am having a party
> to host a party
We are having trouble
> to have difficulty with sth

Slide 7 - Slide

Check your understanding
  1. I ___ (know) the answer. 
  2. The child ___ (watch) the TV show now. 
  3. This cake ____ (taste) delicious.
  4. My father ____ (not/own) a car.
  5. I ___ (wear) a blue sweater today.
  6. Jane ____ (seem) a little angry today. 
  7. People ___ (do) yoga in the park across the street right now. 
  8. Chantal ___ (think) that English is easy.  

Slide 8 - Slide

Check your understanding - Answers
  1. I know the answer. 
  2. The child is watching the TV show now. 
  3. This cake tastes delicious.
  4. My father doesn't own a car.
  5. I am wearing a blue sweater today.
  6. Jane seems a little angry today. 
  7. People are doing yoga in the park across the street right now. 
  8. Chantal thinks that English is easy.  

Slide 9 - Slide

That can't be right! I ______ you.
A
don't believe
B
'm not believing

Slide 10 - Quiz

My holiday's next week. I _____ myself on the beach right now!
A
imagine
B
C
'm imagining

Slide 11 - Quiz

I've changed the design slightly. What _____?
A
do you think
B
are you thinking

Slide 12 - Quiz

She's not answering. _____ her phone with her?
A
Does she have
B
Is she having

Slide 13 - Quiz

Fifty-three? Are you sure that's the answer, or _____?
A
do you guess
B
are you guessing

Slide 14 - Quiz

The film's on at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Which _____?
A
do you prefer
B
are you preferring

Slide 15 - Quiz

Where's Grandad? Oh, he _____ the flowers in the garden.
smells
A
smells
B
is smelling

Slide 16 - Quiz

I don't know, but I _____ he'll win the election.
A
'm doubting
B
doubt

Slide 17 - Quiz