Action verbs describe actions, processes, or physical activities that a person or thing can do. They show movement or change and can be used in continuous tenses.
Action verbs show what someone or something does, did, or will do.
Examples of common action verbs:
- run, jump, eat, write, build, drive, play, work, study, speak
Example sentences:
- She is running in the park.
- They are building a new house.
- I was studying when you called.
What Are Stative Verbs?
Stative verbs describe states, feelings, thoughts, senses, possession, or other conditions that are not actions. They express a state rather than an action and are typically not used in continuous tenses.
Stative verbs describe states or conditions rather than actions.
Categories of stative verbs:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Emotions/Feelings | love, hate, like, prefer, want |
| Thoughts/Opinions | believe, think, understand, know, recognize |
| Senses | see, hear, smell, taste, feel |
| Possession | have, own, possess, belong |
| Measurement | cost, weigh, measure, contain |
| Other states | be, seem, appear, consist, depend |
Example sentences:
- I know the answer. (Not: I am knowing the answer.)
- She believes in hard work. (Not: She is believing in hard work.)
- This cake tastes delicious. (Not: This cake is tasting delicious.)
Key Differences
| Action Verbs | Stative Verbs |
|---|---|
| Show movement or change | Show states or conditions |
| Can be used in continuous tenses | Usually not used in continuous tenses |
| Describe what someone does | Describe how something is |
| Can answer “What is happening?” | Can answer “What is the situation?” |
Tricky Verbs (Verbs with Both Stative and Action Meanings)
Some verbs can function as both stative and action verbs, with different meanings:
| Verb | Stative Meaning | Action Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| think | I think she is right. (have opinion) | I am thinking about the problem. (process of considering) |
| have | I have two cars. (possess) | I am having lunch. (eating) |
| see | I see what you mean. (understand) | I am seeing the doctor tomorrow. (meeting) |
| taste | The soup tastes good. (has flavor) | The chef is tasting the soup. (trying the flavor) |
| feel | I feel that you’re wrong. (believe) | She is feeling the fabric. (touching) |
Special Cases and Exceptions
While stative verbs are generally not used in continuous tenses, there are some situations where this rule can be bent:
- Temporary situations: I’m loving this new coffee shop. (expressing temporary enthusiasm)
- Changing states: I’m thinking more and more that you’re right. (opinion changing over time)
- Emphasis or politeness: I was hoping you could help me. (more polite than “I hoped”)
Summary
- Action verbs describe activities, movements, or changes
- Can be used in continuous tenses
- Examples: run, eat, write, study
- Stative verbs describe states, feelings, or conditions
- Usually not used in continuous tenses
- Examples: know, believe, belong, seem
- Some verbs can be both stative and action depending on their meaning
- Examples: think, have, see, feel