1. State and Action Verbs
in the English Language

2. Action verbs are verbs which denote some
actions: to read, to walk, to wash etc.
e. g. I read books every day and I'm reading a
book at the moment.

3. State Verbs are verbs which
describe a state rather than an
action and therefore do not
normally have continuous tenses.
These include:

4. 1) verbs which express likes and
dislikes:
➲ Like
➲ Love
➲ Hate
➲ Enjoy
➲ Prefer
➲ Adore
I love ice-cream.

5. 2) Verbs of the senses:
➲ We often use can or
could with these
➲See verbs when we
➲Hear refer to what we
➲Smell see, hear, etc. at
➲Taste the moment of
➲Feel speaking:
➲Look
➲Sound Jim must be at home,
We hear voices I can see his car
outside. parked outside.

6. 3) Verbs of perception:
➲ Know
➲ Believe I expect they will be
➲ Understand late.
➲ Realize
➲ Remember I think they will come
➲ Forget soon.
➲ Notice
➲ Recognize
➲ Think
➲ Seem
➲ See (=understand)

7. 4) Some other verbs such as:
➲ Be
➲ Contain
➲ Include My uncle owns a
➲ Belong hotel.
➲ Fit
➲ Need The bag costs two
➲ Matter dollars.
➲ Cost
➲ Mean
➲ Own
➲ Want
➲ Owe
➲ wish
etc.

8. Some of the above verbs are used
in continuous tenses when they
describe actions and not states!

9. ➲ I think he's lying.
➲ I'm thinking about the plan.

10. The food tastes delicious.
He's tasting the food.

11. I can see some people (= perceive with my eyes).
I see what you mean (= understand).
I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow (= meeting).

12. It looks as if they've finished the job (= appears).
Mike is looking out of the window (=is directing his
eyes).

13. This perfume smells nice (= has a nice smell).
He is smelling his milk (= is sniffing).

14. The baby's hair feels like silk (=has the
texture of).
She is feeling the baby's forehead (= is
touching).

15. Bob has a Porsche (= owns).
He's having a shower at the moment (= is taking a
shower).

16. The chicken weighs two kilos.
The butcher is weighing the meat (= is measuring
how heavy it is).

17. This dress fits you perfectly (=is your size).
We are fitting new lock (= are putting in).

18. He appears to be nervous (= seems).
He is appearing in a new play (= is taking part).

19. He is a rude person (= character – permanent
state).
He is being rude (= behaviour – temporary
situation).