VERBS NOT NORMALLY USED IN THE CONTINUOUS ASPECT

(STATE/ STATIVE VERBS)

* State verbs describe states which continue over a period (to be, to know) as opposed
to action verbs (event verbs) which describe something that happens in a limited time and
has a definite beginning and end (to go, to learn).
*State verbs cannot have a continuous aspect. They are divided into the following groups:
1.VERBS EXPRESSING A MENTAL OR PHYSICAL PERCEPTION (VERBS OF
INERT PERCEPTIONS & BODILY SENSATION): to see, to hear, to smell, to taste,
to feel, to notice, to observe (= to notice), to recognize.
*These verbs denote the obtaining of knowledge through the five senses or through the
mind and it is when they imply this that they cannot have a progressive form. They
involve involuntary activities which are not strictly under human control.. They cannot be
stopped or started at will & we cannot say when they will reach an end.
e.g. I see/ I can see a bird in the sky.

I cant see the light.

stative meaning
Could you hear anything?

! Used with can & could express an effort to perceive.

! Such verbs can change their meaning and denote a voluntary activity. In this case they
may have a continuous aspect.
e.g. I am seeing you off. (to see off= a conduce)

She is seeing her doctor tomorrow. (to see = a vizita) active meaning
Which judge is hearing the case? (to hear = a audia)
Other examples of state verbs, that may change their meaning & become active.

Stative meaning

Active meaning

*The flower smells nice.

(to smell= avea un miros- involuntary)
*Can you feel the pain?
(to feel= a simti)
*The soup tastes great.
(to taste= a vea un gust)

*I am smelling the flower.

(to smell= a mirosi- voluntary)
*She was feeling the walls.
(to feel= a pipai, a merge pe bajbaite)
*She was tasting the pudding.
(to taste= a gusta)

Observations
1. The verbs of inert perceptions to see & to hear have synonyms that may be used
in the continuous aspect without restrictions as they imply a deliberate use of senses:
e.g. I (can ) hear some music= I am listening to some music. (to listen)
(Can) you see him? Are you looking at him? (to gaze, to look at, to observe,
to stare)

I (can) see the film= I am watching the film. (to watch)

2. In modern English the verb to feel (= a se simti bine/ rau etc) is used in continuous
aspect, in which case it does not imply an inert perception.
e.g. I am feeling much better today.
3. The same happens with the verbs to see & to hear which may be used in the
progressive aspect with fantastic, supranatural meanings.
e.g. Are you seeing things? (= Ai vedenii?)
He is hearing voices. (= Aude glasuri stranii.)
4. The verbs "to notice, to note, to observe etc denote observation & therefore
imply voluntary activities. This is why they may be used in the continuous form.
e.g. Are you noticing anything unusual?
2. VERBS OF COGNITION/ MENTAL ACTIVITY: to believe, to know, to think, to
imagine, to remember, to recollect, to suppose, to forget, to suspect, to guess, to
presuppose, to realize, to understand, to agree, to appreciate (= to understand), to assume,
to expect (= to think), to feel (= to think), to feel sure/ certain, to mean , to perceive, to
recognize, to recall, to see through someone (= to penetrate his attempt to deceive), to
trust (= to believe/ have confidence in).
*These verbs are usually by a wh- word or by that.
e.g. I know that youre right.
I dont remember what her name is.
*The verb to think (= a crede) is not used in the continuous aspect.
e.g. I think this is the answer. (stative meaning)
But it may change its meaning and become active.
e.g. What are you thinking of? (to think= a se gandi, a medita, a sta pe ganduri).
3.VERBS EXPRESSING FEELINGS & EMOTIONS: to love, to like, to dislike, to
care for (= to like), to adore, to abhor,, to hate, to loathe, to detest, to prefer, to wish, to
regret, to admire (= to respect), to appreciate (= to value), to desire, to mind (= to care),
to respect, to want.
e.g. I love you. (stative meaning) but I am loving/ liking it. (to love= to enjoy).
4. RELATIONAL VERBS: to apply, to belong, to concern, to consist of, to contain, to
cost, to depend on, to deserve, to involve, to include, to lack, to matter, to need, to owe, to
own, to possess, to require, to resemble, to seem, to be (when showing existence), to have
(= to possess), to weigh.
e.g. It belongs to me.

It deserve it.
You owe me some money.
She resembles her mother.
They have a big house- but- They are having a good time.
I am having dinner now. to have in expressions
We are together - but- He is being naughty temporary behaviour. to be
It weighs 10 kg - but- She is weighing the baby.
This depends on the situation - but - I am depending on you (= to count on).

State verbs describe states which continue over a period of time (to be, to know) as
opposed to action verbs (event verbs) which describe something that happens in a limited
time and has a definite beginning and end (to go , to learn).
State verbs cannot have a continuous aspect.
These verbs can be grouped as follows:
1.Verbs expressing a mental or physical perception( verbs of inert perception and bodily
sensation): to see, to hear, to smell, to taste,to look,to feel,to sound, to notice, to observe
(=to notice).
Such verbs denote the obtaining of knowledge through the five senses or through the
mind and express involuntary activities which are not strictly under human control. They
cannot be started or stopped at will and we cannot say when they will reach an end.
e.g.I see/can see a bird in the sky. I cant see the light. Could you hear anything?
When used with can and could they express an effort to perceive.
Verbs that express senses can cahnge their meaning and become active , in which case
they may have a progressive aspect.
Here are some examples of state verbs with both stative and active meanings:
To see:
Stative meaning : I can see your mother in the crowd. (involuntary activity)
Active meanings: The manager is seeing the applicants in the morning. (=to meet by
appointment)
She is seeing her doctor tomorrow. (=to consult)
They were seeing the sights. (=to visit)
We are seeing about a work permit for you. (=make arrangements)
The plumber is seeing to the leaking pipes. (=to deal with)
Im seeing her off. (=to say goodbye)
To hear
Stative meaning: I hear you now. (involuntary activity)
Active meaning: The judge is hearing the witness. (=to listen formally to)
Ive been hearing about your improvements. (=to receive news or letters)
To smell
Stative meaning: I smell gas. (=to perceive a scent/an odour)
Active meaning: She is smelling the milk to see if it has gone sour.
(=to sniff at)

To taste
Stative meaning: The coffee tastes great. (to have a taste)
Active meaning: he was tasting the icecream. (to test the flavour of)
To feel
Stative meaning: The weather feels nice. (=link vb. )
I feel theres something wrong with it . (=to think)
Dont you feel the danger? (=to sense)
How do you feel? /I feel great. (followed by an adj. expressing the
subjects emotions
or physical or mental condition: angry/pleased; happy/sad; hot/ cold etc. )
but also
Active meaning: How are you feeling? / Im feeling good.
She was feeling her way out. (=to try to find something by toouching)
The doctor is feeling his pulse. (=to touch)
To look
Stative meaning: The house looks quite alright. (=link vb. )
Ill look on the matter. (=to consider)
Your son will always look up on you. (=to respect)
They looked down on you back then.(=to despise)
Active meaning: What are you looking at? (=watch)
She is looking for her glasses.(=search for)
Ill be looking into the matter.(=to investigate)