ACTION AND NON-ACTION VERBS Also called DYNAMIC and STATIVE verbs

NON -ACTION VERBS: STATE  A state is when something stays the same.  Non-action verbs are normally not used in the continuous form

ACTION VERBS An action is when something happens

NON-ACTION VERBS 1. VERBS OF THE SENSES AppearHear Look like SeeTaste

NON-ACTION VERBS 2. VERBS OF THE FEELINGS LikeHateLovePreferWantWish

NON-ACTION VERBS 3. VERBS OF THINKING AgreeBelieveForgetKnowThinkUnderstand

NON-ACTION VERBS 4. VERBS OF POSSESSION Belong to ContainHaveOwn

NON-ACTION VERBS 5. VERBS OF BEING BeExist

NON-ACTION VERBS 6. OTHER VERBS Cost Depend on MeanNeed

NON-ACTION VERBS IN THE CONTINUOUS FORM??? NON-ACTION VERBS IN THE CONTINUOUS FORM??? It’s OK to use a state verb in the continuous form if it expresses a temporary feeling “-How are you getting on in your new school? new school? -I’M LOVING IT !” -I’M LOVING IT !”

VERBS THAT CAN EXPRESS ACTION AND NON- ACTION It is possible for some verbs to express state and action IF THEY HAVE TWO DIFFERENT MEANINGS

VERBS THAT CAN EXPRESS STATE AND ACTION HAVE Action : “He’s having a shower” (=taking) State : “He has a house in London”

VERBS THAT CAN EXPRESS STATE AND ACTION THINK “He thinks Obama will win the next elections” next elections” (opinion = state) “What are you thinking now?” (action)

VERBS THAT CAN EXPRESS STATE AND ACTION SEE Action: “I’M SEEING my dentist next Tuesday” (=have an appointment with) State : “ I SEE what you mean” (=understand)

Are the following correct?  IMAGINE YOU MEET A VISITOR. ARE THESE QUESTIONS OK?

FIRST QUESTION  ARE YOU ENJOYING YOUR VISIT HERE?  It´s OK

SECOND QUESTION  DO YOU STAY IN A HOTEL?  Wrong: It should say “ Are you staying in a hotel”?

THIRD QUESTION  ARE YOU LIKING THE FOOD HERE?  Wrong: It should say “Do you like the food here”?

FOURTH QUESTION  DO YOU KNOW MUCH ABOUT THIS COUNTRY?  It´s OK

FIFTH QUESTION  IS YOUR HOTEL BEING VERY EXPENSIVE?  Wrong: It should say “Is your hotel very expensive?”

SIXTH QUESTION  DO YOU HAVE AN INTERESTING HOLIDAY?  Wrong: It should say “ Are you having an interesting holiday?”

SEVENTH QUESTION  DO YOU OFTEN GO TO OTHER COUNTRIES?  It´s OK

EIGHTH QUESTION… AND LAST!  ARE YOU UNDERSTADING MUCH OF OUR LANGUAGE?  No: It should say “Do you understand much of our language?”