agree / disagree Most stative or state verbs refer to a state rather than action.
Stative verbs are verbs
appear which we use in the Present Simple, even if they are happening now. Example: Now, I
know the answer!
believe
However, in situations where they refer to an action which is taking place at that
belong to moment, we use the Present Continuous tense.
can’t stand Examples: I think that coffee is great (= have an opinion)
I’m thinking about my next holiday. (= have in my head)
cost
Certain stative verbs change their meaning when they are used in the Present
dislike / like Continuous.
doubt Examples: I’m seeing Tom tomorrow. (= meet)
I see what you mean. (= understand)
enjoy
Sometimes stative verbs are used in the present continuous to emphasize change or
fancy
development. This use is informal.
feel (also have an opinion) Example: You are being very naughty, Tom! Behave yourself!
fit
guess
hate
have
hear There are three main categories of stative verbs (feelings, thoughts and senses)
hope and two small categories (possession and measurement).
know Complete the charts below with the right stative verbs from the box on the left
according to their categories.
lack
look (also = seem)
love
matter
mean
measure (= be long) Agree/disagree_ can’t stand___ appear_______
(not) mind
prefer believe_______ dislike/like___ feel______
possess doubt______ enjoy_______ hear_________
owe
own hate_________ fancy_ look____
realise
guess____ feel____ see__________
remember
see (meet / understand) hope_________ love_ smell___
seem
know____ Not mind sound________
smell
sound look_________ prefer_ taste_____
suppose
taste matter____ see__________ touch________
think (=consider) mean________ ___ _____
touch
understand realise_____
want Belong to
remember____ cost_________
weigh have________
wish want________ fit___ lack____
wonder
seem________ measure_____ possess______
suppose______ owe______
weigh_______ own________
think________
____
understand___ adore, astonish, bet (opinion),
contain, concern, consist of, decide, deny, deserve, desire, detest,
wish_ imagine, impress, include, involve, please, promise, recognise,
remain, require, resemble, satisfy, surprise, suspect...
wonder______
_______
agree / disagree
Complete the sentences with the verbs in brackets. Use the Present Simple or
appear the Present Continuous. Decide if the verb refers to a state or an action.
believe
belong to
can’t stand
cost 1. We ___are thinking_______ of going on holiday next month. Where ___do u
dislike / like think______________ (you) we should go? (think)
doubt 2. Dad ____is tasting__________ the soup. I’m sure it _tastes___ very good.
(taste)
enjoy
3. He ___is looking____ at the book now. It _looks_________ interesting. (look)
fancy
4. __Is he weighing_________ (he) the tomatoes now? How much __do they
feel (also have an opinion) weigh_______________________ (they)? (weigh)
fit
5. Our friends _______have_________________ a new swimming pool. They
guess
______are having______ a pool party this Sunday. (have)
hate
have
hear
hope
know
lack Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. Use the
look (also = seem) Present Simple or Present Continuous.
love
matter
1. Why ___are those boys smiling_____ (those boys / smile) at us? ____Do u
mean
know______________ (we / know) them?
measure (= be long)
2. I ____am enjoying______________ (enjoy) this summer holiday! I ____don’t
(not) mind want___________ (not want) it to end.
prefer 3. On annual White Nights, many museums and lots of shops
possess _______stay_____________________ (stay) open all night.
owe 4. My parents _________lets________________ (let) me use the car tomorrow.
own 5. How much ______does ur dog weigh______ (your dog / weigh)?
realise 6. Elizabeth ______knows____________________ (know) where the new
remember cinema _____is______________ (be).
7. A: _Does this laptop belong__ (this laptop / belong) to Jack?
see (meet / understand)
B: No, I ___think_______ (think) it ___belongs_______ (belong)
seem
to Debbie.
smell 8. A: Bill usually ____enjoys_________________ (enjoy) his work.
sound B: Yes, but he ___doesn’t enjoy__________ (not enjoy) it now
suppose because he’s got too much to do.
taste 9. A: Why __are you tasting______________ (you / taste) the milk?
think (=consider) B: Because it ______smells____________ (smell) rather strange.
touch __Do u want__________________ (you / want) to taste it?
understand 10. A: Susan ___is talking_____________ (talk) to her boyfriend on
the phone at the moment.
want
B: I can tell. She ___looks_______________ (look) very excited.
weigh 11. David __is thinking____________ (think) about getting the job.
wish 12. Please be quiet. You __are being_______ (be) too much noisy!
wonder 13. I ______feel_______________________ (feel) that you are wrong.
14. I _____am seeing_________ (see) Anne this afternoon at 5.
15. We _are having_________ (have) an interesting conversation!
