Practice
Stative verbs: meaning and examples
I know the answer describes a state in the speaker's mind. I am knowing the answer does not normally work because knowing is not an action that is happening for a short time.
Recognize stative verbs, choose simple rather than continuous forms for stable states, and use continuous forms only when a different dynamic meaning is intended.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
stative verb /ˈsteɪtɪv vɝːb/
The short answer
Use a simple tense for a state such as knowing, believing, owning, or needing. Use a continuous tense when the verb describes an action or a temporary activity instead.
Mina owns a small apartment near the station.
Why it works: Own describes possession, so the simple present is the normal choice.
5 more examples
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I understand why the schedule changed.
Understand describes the speaker's mental state, so the simple present is natural.
Not this:I
am studyingthe new schedule before the meeting. What changes: Study describes an activity in progress, so the continuous form fits. -
This bag belongs to my brother.
Belong describes possession or relationship, not an action.
Not this:My brother
is carryingthe bag upstairs. What changes: Carry is a physical action that is happening now. -
We prefer the quieter room.
Prefer expresses a choice or feeling, so the simple present is usual.
Not this:We
are comparingthe two rooms before we decide. What changes: Compare describes a process, so the continuous form is possible. -
I think the keys are on the desk.
Here, think means believe or have an opinion. It is stative.
Not this:I
am thinkingabout a safer route home. What changes: Here, think means considering an idea, which is an activity in progress. -
The soup tastes too salty.
Taste describes the soup's quality in this sentence.
Not this:The cook
is tastingthe soup before serving it. What changes: The cook performs an intentional action, so the continuous form is natural.
Read the full guide
Ask whether the verb names a state that exists or an activity that is taking place. A state normally takes a simple tense. An activity can often take a continuous tense. This question also helps with verbs such as think, have, see, and taste, which can change meaning.
Identify a state
A stative verb names a condition, feeling, thought, possession, or relationship. The meaning is usually stable rather than an action you can watch happening. Use a simple tense when the sentence has that meaning.
They need more time to finish the report.
Need describes their present situation. It does not describe an activity they are performing.
Does need name an action in this sentence or a state?
It names a state, so They need is the normal form.
Use simple tenses for stable meanings
Verbs of thought and feeling often have stative meanings. Know, believe, understand, remember, love, and prefer normally take simple forms when they describe a person's current view or feeling.
Ravi believes the estimate is too low.
Ravi has an opinion about the estimate. The sentence does not describe an ongoing action.
Choose the standard form: I ___ the rule now.
Use understand: I understand the rule now.
Notice possession and relationships
Own, belong, contain, consist, include, and resemble commonly describe possession, contents, or relationships. These meanings are stative, even when the situation may change later.
The folder contains the signed forms.
Contain tells us what is inside the folder. It does not describe a temporary action.
Which form is usual for a permanent owner: The museum ___ the painting?
Use owns: The museum owns the painting.
Change the meaning, change the tense
Some verbs have both stative and dynamic meanings. Think can mean believe, but think about can mean consider. Have can mean possess, but have lunch can name an activity. The surrounding words show which tense you need.
I have a blue jacket, but I am having lunch with a client.
Have means possess in the first clause and take part in an activity in the second clause.
Which sentence describes an opinion: I think the answer is correct, or I am thinking about the answer?
I think the answer is correct describes an opinion.
Use continuous forms for active senses
See, smell, taste, and feel can describe a quality that someone notices. In that use, they are often stative. They can also describe a deliberate action, which can use a continuous form.
I see a problem with the delivery date.
See means understand or notice here. It does not mean that the speaker is meeting someone.
Which form describes an arranged meeting: I see Ana, or I am seeing Ana tomorrow?
I am seeing Ana tomorrow describes the planned meeting.
Before you go
Remember this
Use simple tenses for states such as knowing, owning, needing, and believing. Check the meaning of verbs such as think, have, see, and taste because they may describe either a state or an action. Use the continuous form for the active meaning, not simply because a situation is true now.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Stative verbs: meaning and examples"
What is a stative verb?
A stative verb describes a state, such as a thought, feeling, possession, relationship, or condition. Common examples include know, believe, need, own, prefer, and belong. These meanings usually use a simple tense because they do not describe an activity in progress.
I understand why the schedule changed.
Why do stative verbs usually not use the present continuous?
The present continuous normally presents an activity as ongoing or temporary. A stative meaning describes an existing condition instead. For that reason, English usually says I understand the problem or She owns the car, rather than using a continuous form for those meanings.
I am studying the new schedule before the meeting.
Can think be a stative verb?
Yes. Think is stative when it means believe or have an opinion, as in I think the route is safe. It is dynamic when it means consider an idea, especially with about, as in I am thinking about a different route.
This bag belongs to my brother.
Can have use the present continuous?
Yes, when have describes an activity instead of possession. I have a car describes possession, so it is stative. I am having lunch with a colleague describes an activity, so the continuous form can be used.
My brother is carrying the bag upstairs.
Do all verbs of the senses behave like stative verbs?
No. See, smell, taste, and feel can describe a quality or perception, which is often stative. They can also describe deliberate actions. The meaning decides the tense: The coffee smells strong describes a quality, while a person can actively check a smell.
We prefer the quieter room.