Action and State Verbs

Level : 2nd Year

Groups : 03 + 06 English
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I-Definition :
• Action verbs show that something is happening
Examples are take , cry , run , buy , hit , drive ,
read …

• A state verb or stative verb is a verb describing a

state of mind or of being .Something stays the
same
• State verbs express things like having , owning ,
feelings , beliefs ,opinions and being
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I really like your skirt.

In this sentence , I am not doing anything , I am

feeling something . Like is a state or stative verb

I think your choice was not the best.

In this sentence , I an not doing anything too , I

used « think » to express my opinion .
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II- Stative Verbs and The Contineous

• Stative verbs are not used with the contineous :
Sv : own – I am owning this house. Correct : I
own this house.

Sv: Know – I am knowing the answer . Correct : I

know the answer.

Sv : Have – I am having long hair.Correct : I have

long hair .
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It is your turn !
• Some verbs can be both action and stative verbs

When these verbs are describing actions , they

can be used in contineous forms

 Find some examples and use them in

contineous forms .