Stative verbs
Verbs for states, not actions: I know, she wants, it belongs to me, and think and have with two meanings.
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Most verbs describe actions: work, eat, walk. Some verbs describe states: what we know, think, like or own. These stative verbs are not usually used in continuous forms (am ...-ing, was ...-ing), even when we talk about right now.
Action or state
An action happens: it starts, goes on and stops. A state just is. It isn't something we are "in the middle of", so we don't usually put it in the continuous.
- I'm reading a good book at the moment.
(An action: it is in progress.)
- I know that book.
(A state: nothing is happening.)
- She's cooking dinner.
- She wants a new kitchen.
Common stative verbs
Group | Verbs |
|---|---|
thinking and knowing | know, understand, believe, remember, mean, think (= have an opinion) |
liking and wanting | like, love, hate, prefer, want, need |
having | have (= own), own, belong |
other states | cost, seem |
- I know your brother. We work together.
- What does this word mean?
- This coat costs £90.
- Incorrect: I am knowing the answer.
- Correct: I know the answer.Know is a stative verb, so use the present simple.
Right now: still the simple form
With a stative verb, use the present simple for a state at this moment too. Words like now and at the moment don't change this.
- I need a coffee now.
- What do you want for lunch today?
- Sorry, I don't understand. Can you say it again?
- Incorrect: I'm needing your help at the moment.
- Correct: I need your help at the moment.
- Incorrect: Sorry, I'm not understanding this word.
- Correct: Sorry, I don't understand this word.Understand is a stative verb: use don't + verb, not am not + -ing.
You may hear I'm loving this in advertising or very informal speech. It is a special effect, not the normal form: in your own English, the simple form is always safe.
Belong and own
Belong to and own say who has something. They are not used in the continuous.
- This bag belongs to Maria.
- Who owns the house next door?
- Incorrect: This phone is belonging to my brother.
- Correct: This phone belongs to my brother.Belong is a stative verb.
Think: an opinion or an activity
Think has two meanings. When it means "have an opinion", it is a stative verb, so use the simple form. When it means "use your mind, consider", it is an action, and the continuous is fine.
Meaning | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
have an opinion | simple | I think it's a good idea. |
use your mind, plan | simple or continuous | I'm thinking about my holiday. |
- What do you think of my new haircut?
(What is your opinion?)
- What are you thinking about?
(What is in your mind right now?)
- We're thinking of moving to Leeds.
(We are considering it.)
- Incorrect: What are you thinking of the new manager?
- Correct: What do you think of the new manager?The question asks for an opinion, so use the simple form.
Have: own, or do something
When have means "own" or talks about family, it is a stative verb. In many phrases have is an action: have breakfast, have a shower, have a good time, have a meeting. Then the continuous is fine.
- They have two children.
- She has a car, but she doesn't drive to work.
- We're having dinner. Can I call you back?
- Are you having a good time?
- Incorrect: She's having two brothers.
- Correct: She has two brothers. / She's got two brothers.Here have is about family, so don't use -ing.
In the past: the same rule
The past continuous follows the same rule. For a state in the past, use the past simple.
- I knew the answer, but I didn't say anything.
- When I was a child, I wanted to be a pilot.
- Incorrect: This flat was belonging to my grandmother.
- Correct: This flat belonged to my grandmother.
- Incorrect: We were knowing each other at school.
- Correct: We knew each other at school.Know is a stative verb in the past too.