Open Mind

Upper Intermediate
Unit 2 Grammar 1
VERBS WITH STATIVE
AND DYNAMIC USES
 VERBS WITH STATIVE
AND DYNAMIC USES

1. Which answer is correct?

2. Can you explain why that answer is correct?

A: How is
your day
going?
a
B: I have a bad day. My
manager is difficult!
b B: I am having a bad day. My
manager is being difficult!
 VERBS WITH STATIVE
AND DYNAMIC USES

Other examples of sentences that contain dynamic and

stative uses of verbs:

• I am seeing more and more people studying

technology, but I don’t see any jobs in this area.

• More companies are investing in our region, but it

isn’t having much of an impact, in my opinion.

• It looks as if the car factory is here to stay. = It is

looking as if the car factory is here to stay.
 VERBS WITH STATIVE
AND DYNAMIC USES

examples (S = stative, D = dynamic)

It is a common problem today. [S]
be
Those two people are being very difficult. [D]
McDonald’s hasn’t got a branch in Iceland. [S]
have
We aren’t having any effect on our customers. [D]
I don’t ______
think we should change anything. [S]
think
What ___
are you _________
thinking about? [D]

see
I suppose I ______ the point of this exercise now. [S]
see
Do you think Annie and Danare
_______
seeingeach other? [D]
 VERBS WITH STATIVE
AND DYNAMIC USES

Stative verbs (simple verb form) usually refer to fixed

states or facts or perception (e.g. be, have, think and
see).

These verbs are mostly used in the stative form.

Sometimes they are used dynamically (in the continuous
verb form), which can change their meaning.
I have a headache. I am having a nightmare.

This reflects a true This is not literally true. It is being

fact. used figuratively to express a
negative situation that is happening
around now.
 VERBS WITH STATIVE
AND DYNAMIC USES

Choose the correct grammar form in each sentence.

1. You are / are being really silly this morning.

2. I think / am thinking of getting an MBA.

3. I don’t see / ’m not seeing any point in applying for

this job. I’m underqualified.

4. Do you have / Are you having difficulty setting up

your bank account?
 VERBS WITH STATIVE
AND DYNAMIC USES

1. Prepare some questions for your partner using

dynamic verb forms.

What are you thinking of doing

next week/month/year?

Are you seeing any changes

in your town these days?

2. Talk to a partner.
 VERBS WITH STATIVE
AND DYNAMIC USES

Grammar wrap-up

1. True or False?
a. Stative verbs use the -ing form. F
b. Stative verbs cannot be used dynamically. F
c. Dynamic verb forms are continuous verb
forms. T
d. Using a stative verb dynamically never
changes its meaning. F

2. Give example sentences with be, have, think

and see in both stative and dynamic forms.