Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Some verbs are not usually used in the continuous form, even when we are talking about
temporary situations or states. These are called stative verbs.
So, we say:
1. Stative verbs are often verbs connected with thinking and opinions.
She doesnt know what to do (NOT She isnt knowing what to do)
Do you agree with me?
I dont recognise it, do you?
Other verbs in this group include: believe, doubt, guess, imagine, mean, remember, think
I like this song. Who sings it? (NOT Im liking this song)
What do you want to do now?
I hate my new boss!
Other stative verbs in this group include: dislike, love, prefer. want, wish.
Note: although enjoy is a verb of emotion, it may be used in the continuous tense
3. see, hear, taste, smell, feel are verbs that describe senses.
These verbs arent usually used in continuous forms. They are often used with can.
He smells of fish.
Hes smelling the fish.
The second sentence is an action not a state. The man wants to know if the fish is OK to
eat.
agree She didnt agree with us. She wasnt agreeing with us.
Bread consists of flour, water and Bread is consisting of flour, water and
consist
yeast. yeast.
doubt I doubt what you are saying. I am doubting what you are saying.
hate Julies always hated dogs. Julies always been hating dogs.
impress He impressed me with his story. He was impressing me with his story.
This cookbook includes a recipe for This cookbook is including a recipe
include
bread. for bread.
involve The job involves a lot of travelling. The job is involving a lot of travelling.
know Ive known Julie for ten years. Ive been knowing Julie for ten years.
surprise The noise surprised me. The noise was surprising me.