Just like our days, English verbs are not all the same either. They are usually divided into 3 groups. One of the groups is called non-continuous verbs or stative verbs. Anyone knows any of these verbs?
A stative verb is one that describes a state of being, in contrast to a dynamic verb which describes an action. These verbs are usually the things you cannot see in someone.
Stative verbs include:
- Abstract verbs, for example to be, to want, to cost, to seem, to need, to care, to contain, to owe, to exist, etc.
- Possession verbs, like to possess, to own, to belong, etc.
- Emotion verbs, such as to like, to love, to hate, to dislike, to fear, to envy, to mind, etc.
Stative verbs are rarely used in continuous/progressive tenses.
- Example:
- “John knows the answer,” not “John is knowing the answer.”
- “He wants a drink now,” not “He is wanting a drink now.”
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Compiled and written by @EnglishTips4U for @EnglishTips4U on Wednesday, 3 February, 2016
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^MD
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