Verbs Action Verbs Stative Verbs

Action Verbs Run => running Talk =>talking

Action Verbs = continuous Continuous tenses can only be used with action verbs. The baby is eating his birthday cake.

Examples of Action Verbs Listen I listen to music. She listens to music. He listened to music. They are listening to music. Open I open my eyes. He opens his eyes. He opened his eyes. He is opening his eyes.

Examples of Action Verbs Ask I ask a lot of questions because I am always curious. She asks too many questions. She asked some questions about the homework. Are you asking me a question? Walk I walk to school. Jose walks to the store. He walked 10 kilometers because his car broke down. Sylvia is walking to the market.

Examples of Action Verbs Talk I talk about the things I like. She talks too much. We talked a lot on our first date. They are talking about tomorrow’s party. Work I work everyday. Enso works very hard. His father worked at the factory for forty years. Ada is working today.

Examples of Action Verbs Wait Please wait here, I’ll be back. Ingrid waits for her son to come home. Nora waited for Mauricio after class. Selvin is waiting for Delia at the restaurant. Close Please close the door. She closes the curtain every night before going to sleep. I closed the door but I forgot to lock it. They are closing the gates now.

Examples of Action Verbs Run I run three times a week. She runs everyday. Elio ran away from his girlfriend because she was very upset. He is running a successful business. * Drive Do you drive a car? Kenia drives a sports car. William drove his car to the theater last night. I am driving to school now.

Examples of Action Verbs Read I read a magazine every night before I go to bed. She reads novels. Last week Arnoldo read ten articles in English! Are you reading any books in English? Write Do you like to write? She writes a blog everyday about her work. I wrote to you many times but you never answer. She is writing him a letter of apology.

Examples of Action Verbs Speak Can you speak French? She speaks three different languages. Pedro spoke to her in English. I am speaking to you right now. Swim Can you swim? Charitin swims everyday. I swam yesterday. He is swimming in the pool.

Examples of Action Verbs Talk I talk about the things I like. She talks too much. We talked a lot on our first date. They are talking about tomorrow’s party. Work I work everyday. Enso works very hard. His father worked at the factory for forty years. Ada is working today.

Examples of Action Verbs Wait Please wait here, I’ll be back. Ingrid waits for her son to come home. Nora waited for Mauricio after class. Selvin is waiting for Delia at the restaurant. Close Please close the door. She closes the curtain every night before going to sleep. I closed the door but I forgot to lock it. They are closing the gates now.

Stative Verbs Stative verbs refer to mental and emotional states. Examples: Like, love, hate, feel, want, need, think, believe, imagine, know…

Stative Verbs Verbs indicating possession are also considered as stative verbs. Examples: Has, have, own

Examples using stative verbs I like this color. (NOT I am liking this color.) What do you mean? (NOT What are you meaning?) He doesn't realize what he is doing. (NOT He isn't realizing what he is doing.) I have two children. (NOT I am having two children.) He always forgets to say thank you. (NOT He is always forgetting to say thank you.) I appreciate your honesty. (NOT I am appreciating your honesty.)

Stative Verbs Verbs of perceptions are also considered as stative verbs. Examples: taste, hear, see, smell, feel…

Examples of stative verbs I hear thunder. (NOT I am hearing thunder.)

Example of stative verbs The fish smells awful. (NOT The fish is smelling awful.)

Exceptions The verbs think, have, see, taste, smell, feel and weigh can be used in the continuous form in some cases because they are not used as perceptive verbs. For example if you are tasting or feeling something, these are things you are doing.

Examples I am smelling the wine.

Examples She is tasting the food. Can I try a sample? Do you have a sample?