Unlike action verbs, stative verbs refer to conditions or states of being. Generally speaking, we use stative verbs to describe things like qualities, states of existence, opinions, beliefs, and emotions. When used in a sentence, stative verbs do not refer to actions. It is important to know that some verbs can be used as either action or stative verbs depending on their meaning in the sentence.
Some English verbs, which we call state, non-continuous or stative verbs, aren’t used in continuous tenses (like the present continuous, or the future continuous). These verbs often describe states that last for some time. Here is a list of some common ones:
Stative (or State) Verb List
| like | know | belong |
| love | realise | fit |
| hate | suppose | contain |
| want | mean | consist |
| need | understand | seem |
| prefer | believe | depend |
| agree | remember | matter |
| mind | recognise | see |
| own | appear | look (=seem) |
| sound | taste | smell |
| hear | astonish | deny |
| disagree | please | impress |
| satisfy | promise | surprise |
| doubt | think (=have an opinion) | feel (=have an opinion) |
| wish | imagine | concern |
| dislike | be | have |
| deserve | involve | include |
| lack | measure (=have length etc) | possess |
| owe | weigh (=have weight) |
Stative verbs describe states rather than an action. And no, not states such as those found in North America. Here, states mean ways of being. Stative verbs refer to thoughts and opinions, senses and perceptions, feelings and emotions, and possessions and measurements. They are also known as state verbs.
Come Back Any Time And Review This Action Verb List
