cl 5 - stative vs dynamic verbs(1)

7/28/2019 CL 5 - Stative vs Dynamic Verbs(1)

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COMMUNICATION LEVEL

CL 5 TEACHER: DANIEL ROMERO

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL

Differences between Dynamic and Stative Verbs

You must know that all verbs in English are classified as eitherstative (=state) ordynamic (=action) verbs.

Dynamic verbs describe actions we take, things we do, or things that happen.

Stative verbs refer to the way things are their appearance, state of being, smell,

etc.

The most important difference between stative and dynamic verbs is that dynamic

verbs can be used in continuous tenses and stative verbs cannot be used in continuous

tenses (but there are some exceptions in the usage depending on the specific meaning ofthe verb).

Consider these examples:

She's studying math with Tom now.AND She studies math with Tom every Friday.

They've been working since seven o'clock this morning.AND They worked for two

hours yesterday afternoon.

We'll be having a meeting when you arrive.AND We are going to meet next Friday.

Stative Verbs

Consider these examples and focus your attention in the verbal form of the words in

bold.

The flowerssmelllovely.NOTThose flowersare smelling lovely.

Sheheardhim speak in Seattle yesterday afternoon.NOTShe was hearing him speak in

Seattle yesterday afternoon.

They'll love the concert tomorrow evening.NOTThey'll be loving the concert tomorrow

evening.


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Common Stative Verbs

There are many more dynamic verbs than stative verbs. Here is a list of some the most

common stative verbs:

be

hate

like

look

love

need

belong

believe

cost

get

impressknow

reach

recognize

taste

think

understand

want

You may notice that some of these verbs can be used as action verbs with different

meanings. For example, the verbto think can either express an opinion, or the process

of considering. In the first case, whenthink expresses an opinion it is stative. In these

two examples think means opinion:

Ithink she should work harder on her math.

Michaelthought Lady Gaga was a fantastic singer.

Think, however, can also express the process of considering something, making a plan.

In this case think is a dynamic verb. In this case these stative verbs can be used in

continuous tenses (present continuous, present perfect continuous, future continuous,

etc.):

They're thinking about buying a new house (=Theyre planning on buying a new

house.)

She thought of joining a health club. (=She considered joining a health club.)

Generally, stative verbs fall into four groups:


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Verbs Showing Thought or Opinions

know

believe

understand

recognize

Verbs Showing Possession

have

own

belong

possess

Verbs Showing Senses

hear

smell

see

feel

Verbs Showing Emotion

love

hate

want

need

If you are unsure of whether a verb is a dynamic verb or a stative verb, ask yourself the

following question:

Does this verb relate some sort of process or a state?

If it relates a process, then the verb is a dynamic verb. If it relates a state, the verb is a

stative verb.

Dynamic verbs

These verbs are used primarily to indicate an action, process, or sensation as opposed to

a state. These verbs are used in continuous tenses (present continuous, present perfect

continuous, future continuous, etc.)

There are three major types of dynamic verbs: 1) accomplishment verbs (expressing

action that has a logical endpoint), 2) achievement verbs (expressing action that occurs


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instantaneously), and 3) activity verbs (expressing action that can go on for an indefinite

period of time).

Some examples of dynamic verbs:

eatwalk

learn

grow

sleep

talk

write

run

read

become

go

drink

type

write

listen

speak

say

watch

work

cook

Examples

The other night I ate a wonderful lobster at this new restaurant by the sea.

Are you cooking your special spaghetti for all of us?

Ive been writing to the consumers defense association for over five weeks.

Material prepared and adapted by

Daniel Romero, 2012

http://eslworld.com

cl 5 - stative vs dynamic verbs(1)

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