State and Dynamic verbs

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 3

At the end of this lesson, ...

You can use dynamic and state verbs correctly

Get up and let's play a quick game of Simon says!

do regular dynamic actions and then say examples of state verbs (Simon says like / believe / know) = they won't be able to actually do it

This lesson:

Explanation dynamic and state verbs

Exercises dynamic and state verbs

State and dynamic verbs

State verbs

Stative verbs do NOT refer to a physical action; they express a state or condition (permanent things; things that don't have a beginning or end). Some examples of stative verbs are: like, love, believe, know, understand, have (when it means to own), prefer, hate.

I don't understand you - state of mind (no beginning or end)

This book belongs to me - possession (permanent things)

*Only present simple

State and dynamic verbs

Dynamic verbs

In English grammar, a dynamic verb is a verb used primarily to indicate an action, process, or sensation as opposed to a state. 

I run 10 kilometres every day - you are doing something - action

I am doing my homework right now - action

*Can be in present simple and present continuous

State verbs with a dynamic meaning

Sometimes state verbs can be used with a dynamic meaning, and therefore we can use the continuous sense. 

This cheese tastes nice (feature describing the cheese) - state verb

I'm tasting cheese at the moment (action) - dynamic verb

Common state verbs + state/dynamic verbs

Common state verbs	Verbs that can be stative and dynamic
-Believe -Belong -Forget -Hate -Like -Love -Need -Prefer -Remember -Understand -Want	-Appear -Consider -Feel -Look -Think

My husband
_____(always/taste) the food while I'm cooking! It's very annoying

1. always tasting
2. always tastes
3. is always tastes
4. is always tasting

She ________
(have) a bath every evening.

1. is having
2. haves
3. has
4. had

Luke _______(see) the doctor now.

1. is seeing
2. sees
3. saw
4. seeing

This coffee _________(not/taste) right.

1. doesn't taste
2. isn't tasting
3. don't taste
4. is not tastes

We (see) John and Susie next month.

1. see
2. are seeing
3. is seeing
4. saw

Is this verb dynamic or state?

1. He thinks/he's thinking it'll rain tomorrow. ----->
2. Mandy has/ Mandy's having breakfast. ----->
3. He appears/He's appearing to be wearing a hat. ----->
4. I feel/I'm feeling a bit silly in this suit. ----->
5. We consider/We're considering moving abroad. -----> 
6. That burger tastes/is tasting disgusting. ----->

Is this verb dynamic or state?

1. He thinks/he's thinking it'll rain tomorrow. -----> state
2. Mandy has/ Mandy's having breakfast. -----> dynamic
3. He appears/He's appearing to be wearing a hat. -----> state
4. I feel/I'm feeling a bit silly in this suit. -----> state
5. We consider/We're considering moving abroad. -----> dynamic
6. That burger tastes/is tasting disgusting. -----> state

How can you tell?

What have you learned today?

What are state verbs?

Give examples of state verbs.

What are dynamic verbs?

Give examples of dynamic verbs?

What verbs are state and dynamic?

Practise

Studentbook: page 6

Ex. 2,3,4,5,6,7

Page 132:

Ex. 1,2,3,4,5