action & state verbs exercises

7/23/2019 Action & State Verbs Exercises

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English Action and State verbs

In the English language there are verbs that are not normally used in thecontinuous tense, because they describe a state rather than an action. They are

called state verbs (stative verbs, non-progressive verbs). The verbs that canbe used in the continuous tense are called action verbs (dynamic verbs).

Note: Some verbs can be both state and action verbs depending on theirmeaning.

For eample, grammatically it is not correct to say !I"m loving it#, even though$c%onald"s made the epression &amous. 'ove" is a state verb and so e shouldonly say !I love it#.

State verbs generally fall into 4 groups:

Emotion: love, hate, ant, need

Possession: have, on, ant, belong

Sense: see, hear, smell, seem

Thought: *no, believe, remember

+ere are some common state verbs:

like dislike love hate

prefer remember forget believe mean seem understand want

need know belong own

+ere are some a &e verbs that can be both state and action verbs depending ontheir meaning.

o I think you made a mistake.

think = believe

I am thinking about my mum now.

think = mental process

o I have two cars.

have = possess, own

I am having my lunch now.have = eat

o I am seeing my friend tomorrow evening.

see = meeting with

I see what you mean.

see = understand



English Action and State Verbs - Practice

%ecide i& these English verbs are action verbs, state verbs, or can beboth action and state verbs:

enoy read loo* orry

eigh &eel contain agree

seem pre&er rite measure

smell hear play burn

-hoose the correct &orm o& the verb depending on hether in this meaning it is anaction or a state verb:

. a) She is &eeling his arm on her shoulder.

b) She &eels his arm on her shoulder.

/. a) 0re you having an English dictionary1

b) %o you have an English dictionary1

2. a) 3hat are you thin*ing about1

b) 3hat do you thin* about1

4. a) 3hy are you smelling the soup1

b) 3hy do you smell the soup1

5. a) 3hat are you loo*ing at1

b) 3hat do you loo* at1



6. a) I am not hearing you.

b) I can7t hear you.

8. a) This bread is tasting &unny.

b) This bread tastes &unny.

Say hether the &olloing sentences correct or incorrect:

. I am disli*ing garlic.

/. I am pre&erring summer to inter.2. She is reading a good boo*.4. +e is *noing him &or a long time.5. I am having my hair cut.6. She is seeming tired.

8. They are belonging to a music club.9. 0re you believing me1

9. I am seeing a movie on Friday night.

action & state verbs exercises

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