Stative verbs

Verbs describing a permanent state (stative verbs) do not normally have continuous forms. These are:

1. Verbs of senses: see, hear, smell, feel, taste etc (We often use can or could with these verbs.

e.g. Can you see that tall boy over there?

The verbs look, watch and listen express deliberate actions and can be used in continuous forms.

e.g. Be quiet please! I' m listening to the news.

But: I can't hear you. Can you speak louder, please?

The verbs feel and hurt can be used in either continuous or simple forms, though.

e.g. A: How are you feeling today? or How do you feel today?

B: My leg is hurting. or My leg hurts.

2. Verbs of opinion: agree, believe, consider etc

3. Verbs of emotions: feel, forgive, hate, like, love etc

4. Other verbs: appear (=seem), be, belong, fit (= be the right shape and size for smth), have (=possess), know, look (= appear), need, prefer, require, want, weigh, wish etc

e.g. He knows where Peter is. (not is knowing )

Some stative verbs (see, smell, taste, feel, think, have etc) have continuous forms but there is a difference in meaning.

STATE

ACTION

I think she's rich. (= I believe) The milk tastes awful. (= it has a bad flavour)   He has a pet dog. (= he owns) This cloth feels like velvet. (= has the texture)   I see you're in trouble. (= I understand) The kitchen smells of burnt meat. (= has the smell) He comesfrom Spain. (= he was born in) I love holidays. (in general) Your hair looks great. (= it appears)   The baby weighs 5 kilos. (= it is)   Ann is very tall.

I'm thinkingabout your plan. (= I'm considering) He's tastingthe sauce; it might need some salt. (= he's trying its flavour) He's havingdinner now. (= he's eating) She's feelingher way in the dark. (= she's finding her way) I'm seeingmy lawyer tonight. (= I'm visiting) Why are you smelling your food? (= trying the smell of) He's comingfrom Spain. (= he's travelling from) I'm lovingthis holiday. (= I'm enjoying; specific) She's lookingat some oнd photographs. (= she's examining) I'm weighingmyself on my new scales. (= I'm finding out my weight) Ann is being very kind to me these days. (= she's behaving)

6.4 Circle the correct form of the verb in these sentences:

1. You're very quiet. What do you think / are you thinking about?

2. What are you thinking / do you think about the new sports centre?

3. I'm sorry I'm not agreeing / I don't agree with you.

4. Are you looking / Do you look for me?

5. Do you prefer / Are you preferring walking to cycling?

6. I don't like / I'm not liking him at the moment.

7. I hear / I'm hearing you're leaving us.

8. I'm afraid I'm not remembering / I don't remember where we met.

9. Do you listen / Are you listening to the radio at the moment?

10. I'm hating / I hate cold evenings.

6.5 Complete these sentences, putting the verbs into the correct tense:

1. The car isn't here today because Sheila (use) _______ it.

2. She generally (use) _______ the bus, but the drivers are on strike.

3. We usually (stay) _______ at home on Fridays, but we came out tonight because we (celebrate) _______ our anniversary.

4. I (come) _______ from Scotland, though I (live) _______ in London just now.

5. I (stay) _______ with my parents at the moment, though I (have) _______ my own flat.

6. They usually (work) _______ at the weekends, though they (not work) _______ at the moment.

7. He (teach) _______ in a language school, though he (work) _______ in a factory at the moment because the school's on holiday.

8. The business usually (make) _______ money, though it (do) _______ rather badly just now.

9. I usually (work) _______ at night, though I (have) _______ a holiday at the moment.

10. I (study) _______ French at the moment, but I (not / speak) _______ it very well yet.

Дата добавления: 2015-07-19