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've taken 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.