When is a verb not an ‘action’ word?
Spot the verb They researched the topic thoroughly. The plant will be modified at a cost of £9m. The managing director is challenging the proposal. The union wants a voice in this decision. Management need to consult before taking action.
‘Dynamic’ vs. ‘Stative’ Verbs Most verbs are ‘dynamic’: they describe an action: E.g. to research, to modify, to challenge I am researching my dissertation. I have been researching my dissertation since June. Some verbs are ‘stative’: they describe a state of being, or a condition: E.g. to want, to need I want something to eat; I’m hungry! I’ve wanted something to eat since 8:00! Stative verbs do not take the progressive (-ing) form. (..except in certain cases and we’ll talk about that later…)
OK or not OK? The panel is submitting their report later today. The government is considering the issue. That book is belonging to me. He is preferring to retire early. I’ve been studying for 3 hours every night. I’m knowing a lot more vocabulary now. That song is sounding familiar. I’m listening to every word you say. I’m hearing every word you say.
Stative verbs deal with…. Emotions, feelings, e.g.: adore appreciate care* desire detest dislike envy fear hate like love mind prefer respect trust* want wish* I adore sushi. We appreciate the work the secretaries do. The CEO doesn’t care if the workers go on strike. ….
Sense perception, e.g.: feel* hear* notice perceive resemble see* seem* smell* sound taste* She feels cold. I hear what you are saying. The tutors notice that you have been absent from class. ….
Possession, e.g.: belong contain have* lack own possess The meeting room belongs to the student committee. The company has 12 offices worldwide. ……
Mental processes, e.g.: agree believe doubt* estimate* expect feel* forget forgive guess hope* imagine know mean realise recall recognise regard remember suppose think* understand wonder* We agree with your idea. He believes we should attempt it. We tend not to doubt what we read in the newspaper.
State of being, e.g.: be* concern cost* depend deserve equal fit* matter mean need owe seem tend weigh He’s a foolish person. The study concerns plans to build a new plant near the city centre. The coat costs £75. ….
What about the ones* that go both ways? Some stative verbs can be used in the progressive form, but the verb then has a different meaning. involuntary vs. voluntary I smell something cooking. I am smelling the milk to see if it’s OK to drink. real vs. imaginary I hear music. You’re hearing things– there’s no music! permanent condition vs. temporary situation I have trouble with my boss. I’m having trouble with my boss.
care We care about the workers’ concerns. their concerns are important to us Some of the workers start work late because they are caring for elderly parents. they look after them: they feed them, help them dress, etc. trust We trust management to look after the company’s future. this is the normal state of affairs We are trusting management to look after the company’s future. we hope they will but there is some uncertainty; this is a one-time event
wish I wish I had £1m. I wish you’d leave me alone. desire for something; dissatisfaction with a situation I’m wishing for a new car for my birthday. + ‘for’: praying for something to come true or happen feel She feels a spider climbing up her leg. aware of the sense of touch He feels he’s right about his decision. believes He’s feeling / feels tired/angry/cold/ill. physical or mental state He’s feeling the fruit to see if it’s ripe. touching voluntarily.
hear I hear guitars playing. I hear you got fired. to receive sound involuntarily; to be told something We’re hearing talks of lay-offs from management. We’re hearing a lot about global warming these days. to be aware of what others are currently discussing He’s hearing angels singing; he should see a doctor. to imagine sounds see She sees a spider climbing up her leg. use sight You see I’m right about the decision. understand We’re seeing a decline in sales this year. be aware of what others are doing or what is happening around you You’re seeing things: there are no angels on my head! to hallucinate: imagine seeing something that isn’t there
smell That soup smells delicious / awful. to receive smell involuntarily That soup smells; are you sure it’s fresh? to have a bad smell He’s smelling the fruit to see if it’s ripe. to seek smell voluntarily taste Your cooking always tastes great / awful. use sense of taste involuntarily I’m tasting the wine to see if it’s good. try out; taste voluntarily
have She has beautiful eyes. own; possess I have an allergy to cats. I have a headache. I have a broken leg. be unwell, sick, physical condition I’m having a lot of headaches these days. I’m having problems at work. temporary situation that one is involved in think I think you’re great. I think I’ll spend tonight studying. belief, intention I’m thinking about (of) studying tonight. consider (maybe I will, maybe I won’t) I’m thinking about (of) what to have for lunch. actively use the brain!
be He is an idiot. natural state of being He is being an idiot. behave temporarily in a certain way cost The meal costs £8.00. one-time price: statement of fact It’s costing us a lot to eat in restaurants every night. It’s costing us only 12p a day to eat when we cook for ourselves! The fight against terrorism is costing the government £3b a year. overall general expenditure: emphasis on price
So… What’s the difference between: She cares for her father. She is caring for her father. I trust you with my money. I am trusting you with my money. She wishes she had a handsome boyfriend. She is wishing for a handsome boyfriend.
I feel your hand. I’m feeling your hand. I hear voices. I’m hearing voices. He smells nice. He smells. He’s smelling the soap I bought him.
We have a lot of problems at the office. We’re having a lot of problems at the office. I think I’ll marry you. I’m thinking about marrying you. She is cruel. She is being cruel.