Stative and Dynamic Verbs! What is a dynamic verb? learn list of verbs that can be both stative and dynamic verbs with examples and ESL pictures.
Verbs in English can be classified into two categories: stative and dynamic verbs.
Dynamic Verbs
What is a dynamic verb? In English grammar, a “dynamic verb” means that the verb describes an action rather than a state. In contrast, a “stative verb” means that the verb describes a state rather than an action.
Dynamic verbs are sometimes known as “action verbs.”
Dynamic verb examples:
- She acts as a teacher in this movie.
- He ran up to get his schoolbag.
- He ate a whole pot of jam.
Verbs Can be Both Stative and Dynamic Verbs
Some verbs can function as BOTH stative verbs and dynamic verbs:
Look
Stative:
You look fantastic in that dress.
Dynamic:
She is looking at her reflection in the mirror.
Appear
Stative:
He appears to be unhappy.
Dynamic:
She was appearing in concert at Carnegie Hall.
Think
Stative:
I think that Mr. Peter is a good teacher.
Dynamic:
I am thinking about my family right now.
Feel
Stative:
I feel that we ought to accept his proposal.
Dynamic:
I’m feeling a bit dozy this afternoon.
Have
Stative:
They have a Mercedes Benz.
Dynamic:
We’re having a party on Saturday.
See
Stative:
Do you see that bird?
Dynamic:
The doctor is seeing a patient now.
Taste
Stative:
Mmm! This tastes good!
Dynamic:
My mother is tasting the potato soup.
Smell
Stative:
The stew smells delicious.
Dynamic:
Ann is smelling the perfume to see if she wants to buy it.
Be
Stative:
He is immature.
Dynamic:
He is being immature.
Weigh
Stative:
The suitcase weighs 20 pounds.
Dynamic:
The butcher is weighing the meat on the scale.
Measure
Stative:
The surfboard measures 2 meters by 55 centimeters.
Dynamic:
The architects were measuring the distance between the pillars.
Mind
Stative:
I don’t mind if we watch a movie tonight.
Dynamic:
I’m not being nosy. I’m minding my own business.
Stative and Dynamic Verbs | Picture
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Beforehand, I wanna give u thanks for such explanation, thank you for devoting time explaining grammar aspects to us. Besides, I have a question, why don’t verbs such as accept, acknowledge, admit belong to the stative verb category *mental states*? I suppose such verbs are stative but are not included in the list.
You’re welcome! I’m glad to help.
Regarding your question, verbs like “accept,” “acknowledge,” and “admit” can be considered stative verbs in certain contexts. However, they are not typically included in the category of mental state verbs because they do not express a state of mind or emotion in the same way that verbs like “believe,” “know,” or “feel” do.
Rather, verbs like “accept,” “acknowledge,” and “admit” express a cognitive or behavioral action or process. They describe an action that someone takes in response to something else, such as accepting an invitation, acknowledging a mistake, or admitting to a wrongdoing. These verbs can also be used in a dynamic sense, meaning they can describe ongoing or repeated actions, rather than just a static state.
That being said, the categorization of verbs can be somewhat fluid, and different grammars or linguistic theories may group verbs differently. Ultimately, the most important thing is to understand the meaning and usage of individual verbs in context.
It’great to go through the topics.
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Awesome website! I was actually researching on methods to improve speaking skills. This one is gonna be useful for preparing study material for my students! Thank you
It is very helpful to learn English thanks such explanations and lists of verbs which I can not normally difference without such works. But, now I am a beginner and learn particularly things of English Grammer. Your program is really very simply and easily and makes it possible to understand these verbs. I am thanking you very much for your very helpful works. Orhan Baki from Germany.
what about the verb’to live’?
It can be used in either perfect or continuous tense; present tense gives it a more permanent sense (I live in Canada = my permanent home is in Canada) whereas the continuous form gives it a more temporary sense (I’m living in Canada = right now I’m staying in Canada but this isn’t where I always live).
Hope that helps!
Nicole is right – It can be used in the continuous tenses. This is because it’s a dynamic verb, not a stative one – ‘living’ includes eating, sleeping, working, talking and every action we take while we’re alive.