Explanation
Exercises

Stative vs Dynamic Verbs (Non-action vs Action)

Stative verbs describe a state/condition → use simple or perfect tenses (not continuous). Dynamic verbs describe actions/processes → all tenses are possible.
Stative = states (know, like, own) Dynamic = actions (run, eat, make) Some verbs can be both (have, be, think, look) Continuous ✔ only with actions
Stative verbsuse simple/perfect (NOT continuous)
Idea: States don’t “progress”. Avoid am/are/is + V-ing with these meanings.
Possession & size
  • belong, own, have (= possess), possess, weigh, measure
  • I have two cats. I am having two cats.
Likes, emotions
  • like, love, prefer, want, need, wish, dislike
  • Sam likes vegetables. Sam is liking vegetables.
Opinion & knowledge
  • know, agree, believe, think (= believe), imagine, understand
  • I know the answer. I am knowing the answer.
Perception & senses
  • sound, seem, appear*, see*, look*, smell*, taste*, feel*
  • You sound tired.

* These can be dynamic when they describe a voluntary action, not a perception: I’m tasting the soup.

Dynamic verbsactions, changes, processes
Idea: Use continuous forms to show an action in progress; use simple forms for habits/general truths.
Examples

eat, run, swim, speak, walk, sleep, make, cook, go, come, buy, watch, read, write, drive, play, say, bring, take, give…

Now vs habit
  • I am eating breakfast now. (in progress)
  • I eat breakfast at 7 every day. (habit)
Both stative & dynamicmeaning decides the form
have
  • have = possess → simple: I have two sisters.
  • have = experience/do → continuous: We are having dinner.
think
  • think = believe/opinion → simple: I think it’s a good idea.
  • think = consider → continuous: She is thinking about it.
be
  • be = state/identity → simple: He is a doctor.
  • be = behave → continuous: He is being very kind today.
look / taste / smell / feel / see
  • look = appear → simple: You look tired.
  • look = direct eyes → continuous: He is looking out the window.
  • taste = perception → simple: The soup tastes great.
  • taste = try → continuous: I’m tasting the sauce.
Common mistakesavoid continuous with stative meaning
  • I’m knowing the answer.
  • She’s wanting a new phone.
  • We’re believing you.
  • Marketing slogans may bend this rule (e.g., “I’m loving it”), but in standard English use the simple form.
Quick checksfast decisions while speaking
  • If it’s a state/feeling/opinion/possession → use simple/perfect (not -ing).
  • If it’s an action in progress → use continuous.
  • Does the verb have two meanings? Pick the form that matches the meaning (state vs action).

Recap: Stative verbs describe conditions, so they don’t take continuous forms. Dynamic verbs describe actions, so they can. Some verbs switch groups depending on meaning—choose the tense by meaning, not by the word alone.

Exercises:
1
2
3

Stative vs dynamic verbs (or non-action vs action verbs)

Choose the correct verb forms to complete the sentences below.
1
These keys to our landlord.
2
Be quiet — the baby a nap.
3
I this curry is too spicy.
4
She a shower at the moment.
5
I where she lives.
6
We the dentist tomorrow at ten.
7
The soup amazing.
8
He the sauce to check the seasoning.
9
Why at me like that?
10
Julia very unfriendly today, but she's usually lovely.

Stative vs dynamic verbs (or non-action vs action verbs)

Choose the correct verb forms for the gaps below.
1
She ____ a great time at the festival this evening.
A.
B.
C.
2
I ____ it’s going to snow later.
A.
B.
C.
3
____ my new haircut?
A.
B.
C.
4
He ____ a doctor at City Hospital.
A.
B.
C.
5
The soup ____ strange—did you add vinegar?
A.
B.
C.
6
Please be quiet — I ____ to concentrate.
A.
B.
C.
7
I ____ the dentist tomorrow morning.
A.
B.
C.
8
This jacket ____ me perfectly.
A.
B.
C.
9
I ____ you’re right about the timeline.
A.
B.
C.
10
She ____ very rude today — what’s wrong?
A.
B.
C.

Stative vs dynamic verbs (or non-action vs action verbs)

Fill in the gaps with the verb in brackets in the present simple or continuous form. Use the simple form with stative verbs and the continuous form with dynamic verbs.
1
John (think) about his future.
2
Ali (have) three sisters.
3
It (smell) like something is burning.
4
The boys (play) with their new toys.
5
Sara (look) like she's been crying.
6
I (want) another coffee.
7
We (have) a really good time.
8
Alice and Peter (need) to go to the shop.
9
The shop (be) usually very busy.
10
He (taste) the soup to check the seasoning right now.