Verbs

Stative verbs vs. process verbs

Process verbs describe actions or processes.

I drive to work.
She looked at the photos.
We listen to the radio.

Stative verbs describe states, qualities, opinions and our senses (what we see, hear, taste, etc.). Stative verbs are not normally used in continuous forms.

I am in my car.
NOT: I am being in my car.

I like ice cream.
NOT: I am liking ice cream.

I see a house on the hill.
NOT: I am seeing a house on the hill.

The following are examples of stative verbs:

states: be, belong, understand, know, weigh, measure, contain, need, want, own, have (possession)

opinions: think, believe, like, hate, love, prefer

senses: see, hear, smell, taste, feel

Verbs associated with the five senses - look, feel, taste, sound and smell - can be followed directly by an adjective phrase.

You look worried. Is everything OK?
I took an aspirin and I feel better already.

The same verbs are followed by like before a noun phrase.

These veggieburgers really taste like hamburgers.
My brother looks like me.
Who's that on the radio? It sounds like Bob Dylan.
This feels like the worst cold I've ever had.