Stative Verb - A Complete Guide

What is a stative verb in English? A stative verb, also known as state verb, is a type of verb that describes a state of being. State verbs describe static and unchanging situations. State verbs are not used in progressive tense. State verbs are contrasted with action verbs or dynamic verbs. 

What is a state of being?, what is an action?, what is a static and unchanging situation? What is a progressive tense? what are action or dynamic verbs? This article answers all the questions mentioned. Continue to read to learn state verb meaning, definition, types, contrast with other types of verb.

This article covers:

• State Verb - Definition and Meaning 
• What does a state verb mean? 
• State Verb Definition 
• What is a state of being?
• State Verb Examples 
• Types of Stative Verbs 
• Stative Verbs Vs Action Verbs 
• Stative verb Vs Linking Verb
• Stative Verbs List with Examples
• Stative Verbs Exercises and Worksheet 
• FAQs - State Verb

 

Stative Verb - Definition and Meaning 

What does a stative verb mean? The word "state" in the phrase "state verb" means a condition. So, any verb that describes a condition is a state verb.

What is the stative verb definition? There are various definitions of state verb given by different grammar writers. Have a look at the following definition of state verb given by the Cambridge Dictionary.

• The Cambridge Dictionary defines the state verb as "stative verbs describe a state rather than an action."

The definition tells us that a state verb or stative verb is a verb that describes a state rather than an action? The question is now:  

What is a state of being? A state of being refers to the condition either physical or mental in which the subject of a sentence is or which the subject of a sentence experiences. For example, the be verb form, "looks" in "John looks handsome." describes the physical condition of John that John's physique is pleasing and attractive. John's this physical condition is a state of being in which John is. 

A state verb does not describe an action. Now the question is: what is an action which is not described by a state verb?

An action is the physical or mental activity; that is, the body movement or the movement in the mind is referred to as an action. In grammar, action is the activity either physical as in the verb "to run" or mental as in the verb "to think". This action is expressed by the use of an action or dynamic verb.

Remember that a stative or state verb is a non-progressive verb; that is, a stative verb is not used in the continuous tense. So, we can't say:

• I am thinking you are right.

Also remember that a stative verb expresses a situation that is static; that is, the situation does not change. So, when we say:

• I recognize him.

It means that my recognizing him is static and cannot be changed.

Stative Verb Examples 

1. I don't recognize him.

2. She hates ice cream.

3. It feels good.

4. I have a pen.

Types of Stative Verbs with Examples

Based on what they express, stative verbs can be categorized into the following four categories: 

1. State Verbs Related to Thinking: The state verbs under this category express your thoughts and opinions. Think, doubt, guess, mean, recognize are some examples of state verbs of this category.

2. State Verbs Related to Feeling: The state verbs belonging to this category express your feelings and emotions. Love, hate, like, dislike are some examples of state verbs of this category. 

3. State Verbs Related to Perceiving: The stative verbs of this category relate to your senses and perceptions. Look, seem, appear, be, feel are some examples of stative verbs of this category.

4. State Verbs Related to Possessing: The stative verbs of this type express that you possess or own something. Own, have, possess, belong are some examples of stative verbs of this category. 

Stative Verbs Vs Action Verbs

A stative verb expresses a state of being or condition of the subject of a sentence, whereas an action verb expresses either a physical or mental action performed by the subject of a sentence. Note that some stative verbs can function as both stative and action verbs.

Examples of Stative Verbs:

a. It belongs to me.

b. I believe in God.

c. I agree with you.

Examples of Action Verbs:

a. I am running.

b. She is fighting with her opponent.

c. They are swimming.

Stative verb Vs Linking Verb

A stative verb is contrasted with a linking verb in the sense that a stative verb expresses the state or condition of the subject, whereas a linking verb connects the subject to its subject complement. Note that some stative verbs can be linking verbs as well. 

Examples of Stative Verbs:

a. It belongs to me.

b. I believe in God.

c. I agree with you.

Examples of Linking Verbs:

a. He is John.

b. John is handsome.

c. It is I.

Stative Verbs List

• Think
• doubt
• guess
• mean
• recognize
• Love
• hate
• like
• dislike
• Look
• seem
• appear 
• be
• feel
• Own 
• have
• possess
• belong
• Weigh
• Measure
• Smell
• Taste

Stative Verbs Exercises and Worksheet 

Question 1: Choose the right statement.

1. A stative verb talks about an action rather a state.

2. A stative verb talks about a state rather than an action.

3. A stative verb connects a subject to its complement.

Question 2: Identify the stative verbs.

1. He is John.

2. He looks handsome.

3. She seems happy.

4. You are beautiful.

5. It tastes good.

Question 3: Fill in the blanks.

1. A verb describing  a condition is called.............?

2. A verb connecting a subject to its complement is called..........?

3. A verb expressing an action is known as............?

FAQs - State Verb 

What is a state verb?

A stative verb, also known as state verb, is a type of verb that describes a state of being as in "John looks handsome".

How many types of stative verbs are there?

There are basically four categories of stative verbs in English. They are as follows:

1. Verbs Related to Thinking 

2. Verbs Related to Feeling 

3. Verbs Related to Perceiving 

4. Verbs Related to Possessing 

Is know a stative verb?

Yes, "know" is a stative verb as in "I know him."

Is think a stative verb?

Yes, "think" is a stative verb as in "I think he's right." It can also be used as an action verb as in "wait a bit! I'm thinking."

Is believe a stative verb?

Yes, "believe" is a stative verb as in "I believe in God"

Is imagine a stative verb?

Yes, "imagine" is a stative verb.

Is felt a stative verb?

Yes, "felt" is a stative verb as in "It felt bad."

Is look a stative verb?

Yes, "look" is a stative verb as in "He looks handsome."