DINAMIC vs. STATIVE VERBS M. Martín.

Firstly, what do "stative" and "dynamic" mean? Introduction Firstly, what do "stative" and "dynamic" mean? All verbs in English are classified as either stative or action verbs (also referred to as 'dynamic verbs'). Action verbs describe actions we take (things we do) or things that happen. Stative verbs refer to the way things 'are' - their appearance, state of being, smell, etc. The most important difference between stative and action verbs is that action verbs can be used in continuous tenses and stative verbs can not be used in continuous tenses. Stative = having a state, or existing. Dynamic = moving or changing.

Dynamic Verbs "Dynamic" is an adjective which means something is moving or changing. Dynamic verbs are verbs that describe an action, not a state . They express a real action. For example, "They are crossing the street." John is crying.

Example sentences: They swam to the other side. She hit me on the head! Open the window, please. The dynamic verbs can be used in the progressive tenses. Correct: He is drinking water. Correct: He drinks water. "Joe is chasing the bus."

Here is a list of some Dynamic verbs Here is a list of some Dynamic verbs. You can see that they are all used to describe an action, change, or process. Most of them are used to describe an activity which has a start and an end. Examples of dynamic verbs: Eat, walk, learn, grow, sleep, talk, write, run, read, become, go, act, build, complete, design, develop, draw, help, improve, interview, introduce, justify, listen, narrate, originate, perform, persuade, predict, record, save, show, study, transform, use, value, write... These words can all be used in the progressive form.

Example sentences with dynamic verbs: "I can't talk right now, I'm eating dinner." Present progressive used to describe an action happening now. "Sorry, I'm out of breath because I've been running." Present perfect progressive used to describe an action that started in the past, continued for some time and has results now. "I didn't steal the necklace! I was sleeping when someone broke into the shop!" Past progressive used to talk about an action that was happening at a particular time in the past.

Stative Verbs "Stative" is an adjective which describes something as having a state, or existing (this is a very uncommon adjective). In English grammar a "stative verb" means that the verb describes a state rather than an action. "Kevin wants some ice-cream." So now you know the meaning of the terms, let's look at some examples!

Here is a list of some of the Stative verbs Here is a list of some of the Stative verbs. Some of these describe relationships between things or people (for example, own) and some describe emotions or states of mind. Examples of stative verbs: doubt, seem, know, own, understand, want, know, have (when it means possession), think (when it means opinion), like, love, hate, need, prefer, agree, sound, hear disagree, wish, look (when it means seem), smell, include, be.... Emily is sad.

Examples sentences: She is a great wife. He seems rather strange. He wanted to see you. That sounds awesome! We have enough things to do. Stative verbs are usually not used in the progressive tenses. Examples: Incorrect: He is wanting to see you. Correct: He wants to see you. Incorrect: I am knowing what to do. Correct: I know what to do. Incorrect: They are seeming nice. Correct: They seem nice.

Here are some examples, showing that these words cannot be used in the progressive form. Correct: "I like chocolate, but I prefer cake." Incorrect: "I'm liking chocolate but I'm preferring cake." Correct: "I don't understand you when you speak quickly." Incorrect: "I'm not understanding you when you speak quickly."

However, if the same verb is used to describe an actual action (not a state) than it can be used in the progressive tenses. Example: When the verb "have" means "own" – it is a state. So we do not use it in the progressive tenses. Incorrect: I am having a laptop. Correct: I have a laptop. When the verb "have" means "eat" – it is an actual action. So we can use it in the progressive tenses. Correct: I am having lunch with Kate. Correct: I have lunch with Kate.

You cannot say: I am knowing the truth. I am liking pizza. It is sounding like a great idea. You may say this even though it is grammatically incorrect. But you must say: I know the truth. I like pizza. It sounds like a great idea.

Generally, stative verbs fall into four groups: Verbs Showing Thought or Opinions know believe understand recognize Verbs Showing Possession have own belong possess Verbs Showing Senses hear smell see feel Verbs Showing Emotion love hate want need

There are also some verbs that can be either dynamic or stative, depending on their meaning and context in the sentence. Reminder: Actions that are in progress now => present progressive Example: We are walking right now. States that occur now => simple present Example: We want to walk now.

Dynamic and Stative Some verbs can be both action verbs and dynamic verbs depending on their meaning: 1. Be be = it is usually used as a stative verb - stative He's an excellent guitarist. be = when it means behave or act, it can be used as a an action verb in the continuous form. - dynamic You are being silly.

2. Think think = to express an opinion, to believe - stative I think it's a fantastic idea. think = consider, to reason about or reflect on, ponder, to have or formulate in the mind - dynamic I am thinking about my friend 3. Have have = to possess, to own - stative He has a beautiful car have = when it doesn't mean own or possess - dynamic He's having lunch.

4. See see = to perceive with the eye, to understand - stative I see what you mean. see = to meet, to be in the company of, to escort, to attend - dynamic He's been seeing the same woman for eight years. Some stative verbs can be used actively in special situations: Be You are annoying. You are being annoying. Think I think studying history is important. I am thinking about my girlfriend.

Senses Have Feel I have a dog. I am not feeling well. I am having a party. I am having a good time. Feel I am not feeling well. I feel that the test is difficult. Senses Ears Listen is active and hear is stative. I am listening to the radio. I am hearing the radio. (Incorrect)

Eyes Watch and look are active and see is stative I am watching television. I am looking at the news paper. I am seeing the bird. (Incorrect) Watch is used for things that move or show actions. (Television, sports, etc.) Look is for things that do not move. (Art, Books, etc.)

Nose Smell can be active or stative depending on the situation. I am smelling This describes the action of smelling. I smell something burning. This is more common and is used to describe what you smell. Mouth Taste can also be active or stative. I am tasting the soup. This describes the action you are doing. However, it is better to say “I am trying the soup.” I taste salt in this soup. This describes what you taste.

Exercises

Dynamic Verbs and Stative Verbs Exercise 1 Put the verbs in brackets in their correct form. Some verbs are stative verbs and some are dynamic verbs. Use the simple present or present progressive tense. Press "Check" to check your answers. 1. Actually, that (sound) wonderful. 2. We (cook) right now. 3. I (promise) to be back soon. 4. Frank and his wife (disagree) on this matter. 1. sounds 2. are cooking 3. promise 4. disagree Check Answers

Check Answers 5. owns 5. He (own) several large companies. 6. Do…hear 6. you (hear) Richard's voice now? 7. you (study) at the moment? 8. I (mean) to hurt you. 9. you (mind) taking out the garbage? 10. I seriously (doubt) it. 5. owns 6. Do…hear 7. Are…studying 8. don't mean 9. Do….mind 10. doubt Check Answers

Dynamic Verbs and Stative Verbs Exercise 2 Put the verbs in brackets in their correct form. Some verbs are stative verbs and some are dynamic verbs. Use the simple present or present progressive tense. Press "Check" to check your answers. 1. you (recognize) this painting now? 2. He (appear) a bit snobbish. 3. She (not wash) the dishes now. 4. it really (matter) now? 1. Do….recognize 2. appears 3. is not washing 4. Does….matter Check Answers

Check Answers 5. Right now it (seem) cold outside. 6. I (suppose) we could do that, too. 7. Janet (not realize) how much he loves her. 8. this dog (belong) to you? 9. It (rain) right now. 10. I (not know) the right answer right now. 5. seems 6. suppose 7. does not realize 8. Does…..belong 9. is raining 10. don't know Check Answers

Dynamic Verbs and Stative Verbs Exercise 3 Put the verbs in brackets in their correct form. Some verbs are stative verbs and some are dynamic verbs. Use the simple present or present progressive tense. Press "Check" to check your answers. 1. Jessica (believe) every word. 2. He (understand) Italian. 3. I (wish) we could go home now. 4. Right now you (not listen) to music. 1. believes 2. understands . 3. wish 4. are not listening Check Answers

Check Answers 5. Maggie (hate) bugs. 6. We (not agree) on this one. 7. I (dislike) eating fish. 8. Monkeys (like) bananas. 9. These monkeys (eat) bananas now. 10. This diet (consist) of mainly fruit and vegetables. 5. hates 6. do not agree 7. dislike 8. like 9. are eating 10. consists Check Answers

Dynamic Verbs and Stative Verbs Exercise 4 Put the verbs in brackets in their correct form. Some verbs are stative verbs and some are dynamic verbs. Use the simple present or present progressive tense. Press "Check" to check your answers. 1. Our book (include) stories and exercises. 2. They (remember) what happened. 3. We (need) a longer rope. 4. You (not deserve) it. 1. includes 2. remember 3. need 4. do not deserve Check Answers

Check Answers 5. Is…playing 5. he (play) golf at the moment? 6. does not concern 7. love 8. feels 9. do not contain 10. are jogging 5. he (play) golf at the moment? 6. This (not concern) us at the moment. 7. I (love) you. 8. She (feel) she's not good enough. 9. Our cakes (not contain) any gluten. 10. They (jog) now. Check Answers

Dynamic Verbs and Stative Verbs Exercise 5 Put the verbs in brackets in their correct form. Some verbs are stative verbs and some are dynamic verbs. Use the simple present or present progressive tense. Press "Check" to check your answers. 1. We (be) at the office right now. 2. I (see) that you are busy at the moment. 3. We (have) a coffee. 4. I (think) that's not true. 1. are 2. see 3. are having 4. think Check Answers

Check Answers 5. Joe (be) silly again. 5. is being 6. I (see) Ben. We have a lot of fun together. 7. Your cooking (taste) great. 8. We (have) three kids. 9. We (taste) the cakes now. 10. I (think) about it at the moment. 5. is being 6. am seeing 7. tastes 8. have 9. are tasting 10. am thinking Check Answers

Dynamic Verbs and Stative Verbs Exercise 6 Choose the correct form of the verb. 1. I __________ three brothers. a) have b) am having 2. She __________ how to speak four languages. a) knows b) is knowing 3. I __________ television right now. a) watch b) am watching 4. They __________ hockey. a) love b) are loving B A Check Answers

5. He ___________a party tomorrow night. a) has b) is having 6. Brenda _________ scary movies are stupid. a) thinks b) is thinking 7. Bill _________ about what he wants to do this weekend. a) thinks b) is thinking 8. She __________ right now, so she can`t cook dinner. a) talks b) is talking 9. I __________ studying for exams. a) hate b) am hating 10. We __________ to go to the movies than the mall. a) prefer b) are preferring B A Check Answers