← Grammar Hub
Teacher cue
B1 · English Grammar

Stative and
Dynamic Verbs

I think she's amazing. She's thinking about her work.

states actions
The idea

States, not actions

Some verbs describe what something is — a state. Others describe what someone does — an action. The difference changes which tense you can use.

Examples

She seems tired. → a state you can see

She is running to school. → an action she does

The rule

Stative → a state, a feeling, a thought

Dynamic → an action, a process

Stative verbs are not usually progressive.

The choice

Which tense can I use?

Stative
Use the simple form, even for right now
I don't understand this.
She wants to leave now.
Dynamic
Use simple or progressive, depending on the meaning
He runs every day.
We're playing a video game.
Vocabulary

Families of stative verbs

Thoughts & opinions
know, believe, understand, remember, agree, mean
Feelings & wants
like, love, hate, want, need, prefer
The senses
see, hear, smell, taste, feel, sound
Having & owning
have, own, belong, contain, include
Being & appearing
be, seem, appear, look, resemble
Measurements
cost, weigh, measure, fit, matter
Two meanings

When a verb crosses over

think
state
I think she's amazing.
= this is my opinion
action
She's thinking about her work.
= it's in her head right now
have
state
They have a beach house.
= they own it
action
We're having lunch.
= we're eating it now
taste
state
This pasta tastes delicious.
= that's its flavor
action
She's tasting the soup.
= she's trying it on purpose
see
state
I see the problem.
= I understand it
action
I'm seeing the dentist at four.
= I'm meeting her
be
state
He is very polite.
= that's his personality
action
He's being polite today.
= he's behaving that way now
smell
state
The bread smells good.
= that's its smell
action
He's smelling the milk.
= he's using his nose on purpose
⚠ Watch out

Common mistakes

I am wanting a coffee.

I want a coffee.

She is knowing the answer.

She knows the answer.

This bag is belonging to Marco.

This bag belongs to Marco.

I am not agreeing with you.

I don't agree with you.

Now it's your turn

Let's
practice.

Say the answer out loud — then tap to check.

Practice 1
tap the blank to reveal

Choose the form

Be quiet —(listen)to the news.
She(not understand)the question.
That jacket(cost)two hundred reais.
This soup(taste)too salty.
Wait — the chef(taste)the soup right now.
Practice 2
tap a sentence to reveal the error

Spot the mistake

That blue suitcase in the hallA is belongingB to my sister, soC please don'tD move it.

Bis belonging → belongs

✓ belong is stative — no continuous

I am thinkingA about changing jobs, althoughB the salary isC good and my colleagues is friendlyD.

Dand my colleagues is friendly → and my colleagues are friendly

✓ my colleagues is plural → are

I am not agreeingA with you aboutB the plan, butC I respectD your opinion.

AI am not agreeing → I don't agree

✓ agree is stative — no continuous

Practice 3
tap to reveal a model answer

Complete the sentence

Right now I'm thinking about
I don't understand why
My best friend is being
This classroom always smells
Speak & write

Your turn — make your own

Answer in a full sentence. Watch your choice: state or action?

What do you think about homework? And what are you thinking about right now?
Name three things you have. Then say what you are having for dinner tonight.
Describe a dish from your family. How does it taste and smell?
Someone in your family is usually calm. When are they being difficult?
Recap

Remember this

Stative verbs
describe a state
Dynamic verbs
describe an action
Stative verbs are
not usually progressive
Some verbs do both
and the meaning changes

Ask yourself: is this something I do, or something that simply is?

1/1