Stative Verbs: List, Rules and Examples

Most verbs describe actions: things that happen, start and stop, like run, eat, write and talk. We can use them in continuous forms (be + -ing) to show the action is in progress: I'm writing an email.

Stative verbs describe states: situations that stay the same, like what we know, want, like or own. A state is not an activity, so there is nothing in progress. That is why we normally do not use stative verbs in continuous tenses.

So even when we are talking about right now, we use the present simple: I know the answer now. She wants to leave now. This matters most when you choose between the present simple and the present continuous.

Verbs about likes, dislikes and wishes are stative: like, love, hate, prefer, want, need, wish. They describe how we feel, not something we are doing.

We say I love this song, I need some help and Do you want to come?, not I'm needing some help or Are you wanting to come?

In very informal English and advertising, you will sometimes hear I'm loving this weather or I'm liking your new style. This shows a strong feeling about something new or temporary. It is fine to understand it, but as a learner, the simple form is always the safe choice.

Verbs about the mind and opinions are stative: know, believe, understand, remember, forget, mean, realize, suppose, recognize, doubt.

We use simple forms with them in all tenses: I knew him at school, not I was knowing him. I've known her for years, not I've been knowing her.

The word think is special. When it means have an opinion, it is stative: I think you're right. When it means use your mind, it is an action verb and can be continuous: I'm thinking about what to cook tonight. What are you thinking about?

Verbs about the senses, like see, hear, smell, taste and feel, are usually stative when they describe what we notice without trying: I hear music. This cake tastes delicious. The kitchen smells of coffee.

With see and hear, we often use can: I can see the sea from my window. Can you hear that noise?

When we do the action on purpose, these verbs can become action verbs: I'm tasting the sauce to check the salt. Also notice that look, watch and listen are action verbs: I'm looking at the map. We're listening to the radio.

Look, seem, appear and sound are stative when they describe an impression: You look happy. That sounds like a good plan.

Have is stative when it means own or possess: I have a car. She has brown eyes. In British English, have got is also common here: I've got a car. But have is an action verb in many fixed phrases: have breakfast, have a shower, have a party, have a good time. Then the continuous is fine: We're having dinner. Are you having fun?

Be is usually stative: He is friendly. But we use being for behaviour that is temporary or different from normal: You're being very quiet today. He's being silly.

Other verbs that change meaning include see (understand vs meet: I'm seeing a friend later), weigh (have a weight vs measure the weight) and appear (seem vs perform). Learn these pairs with an example each.

In conversation, stative verbs come up constantly: I don't know, I think so, It depends, I don't mind, Do you mean...?, I see. Notice that these everyday phrases are all in the simple form.

A good habit: when you want to use an -ing form, ask yourself if the verb is something you can do actively for a while and then stop. Running, cooking and reading are activities. Knowing, wanting and owning are not. For the full comparison of the two present tenses, read present simple vs present continuous. Later, you will meet the same rule with the present perfect continuous: I've known her for years, not I've been knowing her.