Stative Verbs Not Usually with the Continuous (-ING)

The following verbs are called stative verbs ( , verbos de estado, , , ). We don't usually use them with the continuous (-ing). They talk about a state of mind or a condition.
1 2 3 4 believe feel know like/dislike/love/hate 5 6 7 8 9 mean need prefer promise remember 10 11 12 13 seem sound understand want

Examples

Use the Simple Present (not Present Continuous: am/is/are + verb + ing) I know the answer. Wrong: I'm knowing the answer. I believe in god. Wrong: I'm believing in God. This word means "exit" in Spanish. Wrong: This word is meaning "exit" in Spanish. He doesn't need a new pair of shoes. Wrong: He isn't needing a new pair of shoes. He doesn't know her name. Wrong: He isn't knowing her name. I don't understand why he can't do it. I'm not understanding why he can't do it. Use the Present Perfect (not Present Perfect Continuous: have/has been + verb + ing) I have known her for a long time. Wrong: I have been knowing her for a long time. He hasn't needed any help lately. Wrong: He hasn't been needing any help lately.

Sometimes Stative, Sometimes with Continuous (-ING) Different Meanings

The following verbs can be used with both stative or the continuous, but their meaning changes.
be have 14 Be * hear look see smell taste think

You're being impolite. = Only now. You're not usually impolite. He's being a baby! = Right now he is behaving like a child. He doesn't usually act/behave that way. 15 Be (stative, no -ing) He is a baby. = He is a very young child. She is a lawyer. He is stubborn.= He's always stubborn, not just right now. It's part of his personality. He is a brat. , , mocoso/nio maleducado, , = He is usually/always a brat.

, comportarse, , He's being childish. = He's behaving like a child right now. He doesn't usually behave that way. /, infantil/pueril, ,

(with the continuous) tells how someone is acting/behaving* right now, not how they usually act.

5041513 Roland Trego 04/15/2013 rev. 11/24/2013 4:48:58 PM

16 Have (with

continuous): Use with certain expressions. I'm having a party. We're having a good time. He's having fun. She's having a baby in June. I'm having difficulty (or: problems) understanding this. 17 Have (stative, no -ing) = to own, to possess, to feel/be ill I have a car. They have plenty of* money. * , , abundante, , She has a headache. She has a sore throat. 18 Hear with continuous I've been hearing a strange sound coming from the back of my car. Maybe I should take it to the mechanic. 19 Hear (stative, no -ing) I hear well. I don't need a hearing aid. , audfono, We have a good phone connection. I hear your voice clearly. 20 Look (with continuousoften with for or at): When I came in, he was looking at some pictures. She's looking for a job. 21 Look (stative, no -ing): She looks beautiful in that dress. = She has a beautiful appearance* in that dress. , aspecto/apariencia,

He looks like a thug. , , , matn, , , , 22 See (with continuous): to have a romantic relationship with someone, to meet someone, to get together They are seeing each other. = They are dating./They are having a romantic relationship. I'm seeing Robert tomorrow. = I'm meeting Robert tomorrow. 23 See (stative, no -ing): to see with your eyes, to understand Where is she? Oh, I see her now. She's over there. I see what you mean. = I understand what you mean. 24 Taste (with continuous): to taste something (direct object) She doesn't know which cheese to buy, so she is tasting* several different kinds. *trying, sampling The chef is tasting the soup to make sure it has enough salt. 25 Taste (stative, no -ing): to have a particular taste (a good taste, a bad taste, a strange taste) This soup tastes great! What did you put in it? The milk tastes sour. 26 Think (with continuous: to consider doing, to reflect , , reflexionar, , What are you thinking about? I'm thinking about my next vacation. We are thinking about moving to Los Angeles. We are considering moving to L.A. 27 Think (stative, no -ing): to have an opinion I think (it's my opinion) that she is a better teacher than he is. What do you think of the President's foreign policy? , Poltica Exterior, ,

28 Smell

(with continuous + object): He is smelling the socks to see if they are too dirty to wear again. 29 Smell (stative, no -ing): That perfume smells so good! What is it? = That perfume has a good smell. 30 Note: Like and love are normally stative, but young people have begun using them in the continuous. In this class, use stative (no -ing): She's kissing him all over, and he's loving it! = He loves it.
5041513 Roland Trego 04/15/2013 rev. 11/24/2013 4:48:58 PM