Stative verbs are verbs that show a state and not an action.

You can group verbs that show a state in the following ways:-

Verbs that show thought - believe, doubt, know, understand etc.
Verbs that show possession - have, own, want, contain etc.
Verbs that show senses - hear, see, smell etc.
Verbs that show emotion - love, hate, want, need etc.

There are regular and irregular stative verbs. But when they are used to show a particular state they do not take the -ing form.

For Example:

  • I like ice cream. (Never "I am liking...")
  • I know a lot of English words. (Never "I am knowing...")

However, some verbs can be used to show an action or a state.

For Example:

  • I think English is easy. = It is my opinion.
  • I'm thinking of joining a new course. = I am considering it.

 

 

Verbs