State verbs or Non- Continuous Verbs

Verbs that cannot be used in Continue form

State verbs or Non- Continuous Verbs

            I. There are certain groups of verbs that are usually only used in the Simple Form. This is because their meanings are related to states or conditions that arte acts and not activities. This is a feature of the use of the Simple Form. The groups for verb are:

1. Verbs of thinking and opinions

believe             think                understand      suppose           expect              agree    doubt               know               remember        forget              mean                imagine            realize              deserve            prefer   …

Examples:

-       I believe you. (Not: I am believing you.)

-       Do you understand? (Not: Are you understanding?)

-       I know his face, but I forget his name. (Not: I am knowing his face, but I am forgetting his name.)

2.     Verbs of emotions and    feelings

like                  love                 hate                 care                  hope                            wish           want                admit               need                adore                           dote                 desire         dislike              loathe              … 

            Examples:

-       I like black coffee. (Not: I am liking black coffee.)

-       Do you want to go out? (Not: Are you wanting to go out)

-       I don’t care. (Not: I am caring.)

-       He is needing help now. Not Correct

-       He needs help now. Correct

-       He is wanting a drink now. Not Correct

-       He wants a drink now. Correct

3. Verb of having and being

belong                         own                 have                 posses              contain                                    cost                        seem                appear              need                depend on       weigh  come from       resemble              consist            …

Examples:

-       This book belongs to Jane. (Not: This book is belonging to Jane)

-       How much does it cost? (Not: How much is it costing?)

-       He has a lot of money. (Not: He is having a lot of money.)

4. Verbs of being

            resemble    cost     come from     depend    seem    appear      ….

            Examples:

-       He comes from Thailand. (Not: He is coming from Thailand.)

-       He seems happy. (Not: He is seeming happy.)

5. Verbs of the senses

            Look                hear                 taste                 smell                feel

Examples:

-       The food smells good. (Not: The food is smelling good.)

-       She looks so sad. (Not: She is looking so sad.)

è Beloved table will help you to understand more.

II. Some these verbs can be used in Continuous Form with a change of meaning. In the Continuous, the verb expresses: activity or process, not a state. Compare:

1. I think you’re right.                        We’re thinking of going to the cinema.

(opinion)                                              (mental activity)

2. He has a lot of money.                   She is having a bad day.

(possession)                                         (activity)

3. I see what you mean.                      Are you seeing Nigel tomorrow?

(understand)                                        (activity)

4. The soup tastes awful.                    I’m tasting the soup to see if it needs salt.

(state)                                                  (activity)