State Verbs
These verbs are nearly always used in a simple than a continuous tense.
These verbs are nearly always used in a simple than a continuous tense.
Set of flashcards Details
| Flashcards | 12 |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Category | English |
| Level | Secondary School |
| Created / Updated | 25.08.2016 / 25.08.2016 |
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State verbs are mostly about...
thoughts, feelings, belonging and the senses
Thoughts
believe, know, mean, realise, recognise, remember, suppose, understand, feel (=believe), think (=believe)
Feelings
adore, dislike, despise, hate, like, love, want, wish, prefer
Belonging
belong, have (=possess), own, possess
It belongs to my father
The manager has the biggest company car
Senses
smell, taste, hear, see
This sauce tastes great
I hear what you are saying to me, but I do not agree
Other state verbs
need, contain, deseve, fit, seem, look (=seem), look like, matter, weigh
This medicine contains aspirin
Mark weighs 70 kilos
When is think not a state verb?
When it refers to what someone is doing, not what they believe
I'm thinking about my holiday
When can Have be continuou?
When it does not mean possess
Steve is having a difficult time at college this term
We are having lunch right now
Taste and smell can be continuous when..
When they refer to what someone is doing
I'm tasting the sauce
I'm smelling the roses
When can see be continuous?
When it means 'meet with'
Lara's at the medical centre. She is seeing a doctor about her sore throat
When can wheigh be continuous?
When it refers to what someone is doing
The shop assistant is weighing the cheese
The verb to be is nearly always used in a simple tense. What is the exception?
It is continuous when it emphasises that a situation is temporary. It often describes a person's behaviour.
You're being so impatient. (When someone normally isn't an impatient person)
My brother is being very nice to me this week. I wonder what he wants
Francis is filling in a form online, so we're all being quiet as we don't want him to make any mistakes.
