1. When is a verb not an ‘action’ word?

2. 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.

3. ‘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…)

4. 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.

5. 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.  ….

6.  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.  ….

7.  Possession, e.g.: belong contain have* lack own possess  The meeting room belongs to the student committee.  The company has 12 offices worldwide. ……

8.  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.

9.  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.  ….

10. 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.

11.  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

12.  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.

13.  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

14.  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

15.  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!

16.  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

17. 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.

18.  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.

19.  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.