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Verb Tenses
Stative Verbs
Stative verbs are special verbs that don’t usually occur in any progressive tense. That is, in a situation where Present Progressive, Past Progressive, or Future Progressive is usually used, these verbs will be in Simple Present, Simple Past, or Simple Future instead. In a situation where Present Perfect Progressive, Past Perfect Progressive, or Future Perfect Progressive is usually used, Present Perfect, Past Perfect, and Future Perfect will be used instead. These verbs are sometimes called Nonprogressive Verbs instead of Stative Verbs. However, some of these verbs have certain meanings that can use a progressive tense and follow the regular rules. This chart shows both.
Verb |
Nonprogressive meaning |
Example |
Progressive meaning |
Example |
Love |
love |
I love this candy. |
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Like |
like |
I like this soup. |
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Miss |
feel separation |
she misses her parents |
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Hate |
hate |
I hate this weather. |
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Dislike |
dislike |
He dislikes this weather. |
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Fear |
feel afraid |
He fears he failed his exam. |
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Envy |
feel jealousy |
I envy Jane. |
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Mind |
feel irritation |
The teacher minds if you eat in class. |
take care of |
He’s minding the store. |
Care |
feel concern |
I care about the environment. |
take care of |
He’s caring for his nephews. |
Know |
have knowledge |
I know your name. |
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Think |
believe |
I think it is hot. |
use the brain |
I’m thinking about the weather. |
Understand |
have comprehension |
I understand what you mean. |
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Believe |
believe |
I believe it is hot. |
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Doubt |
don’t believe |
I doubt that he is home. |
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Mean |
have meaning |
I mean that I will be late. |
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Realize |
understand suddenly |
I realized I forgot my book. |
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Remember |
remember |
I remembered I forgot my book |
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Forget |
forget |
I forgot my book. |
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Feel |
have emotion, sense |
I feel hot. |
touch |
He’s feeling the fabric on the sofa. |
Hear |
use ears |
I hear a noise. |
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See |
use eyes |
I see John over there. |
visit/date |
He’s seeing the doctor/He’s seeing Liz. |
Smell |
have an odor
Use nose not on purpose |
The soup smells good.
I smell smoke. |
use nose on purpose |
I’m smelling the flowers. |
Taste |
have flavor |
The soup tastes good. |
Use mouth on purpose |
I’m tasting the soup. |
Own |
possess, have |
I own a red car. |
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Possess |
have, own |
I possess a red car. |
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Have |
own |
I have a red car. |
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Belong |
be owned by |
This car belongs to me. |
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Be |
sense, exist |
I am hot now. |
act |
He’s being strange. |
Exist |
be |
Computers exist now. |
survive |
He’s existing on rice and beans. |
Consist of |
be made of |
This soup consists of potatoes and cheese. |
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Include |
have |
This class includes writing. |
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Seem |
appear, look |
You seem hot right now. |
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Appear |
seem, look |
You appear hot right now. |
perform |
Brad Pitt is appearing in a new movie. |
Look |
seem, appear |
You look hot. |
use eyes |
I’m looking at you. |
Need |
have a requirement |
I need a pen right now. |
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Prefer |
want |
I prefer a pencil. |
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Want |
desire |
I want a drink. |
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Cost |
have a price |
This car costs $500.00 |
lose |
His lie is costing him votes |
Owe |
need to pay |
I owe the bank money. |
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