Stative and Active Use
We usually do not use the following verbs in any of continuous tenses:
- appearance: appear, resemble, seem
- composition: consist of, contain, have
- connection: come from, concern, cost, fit, suit
- existence: be, exist
- knowledge: forget, know, realise, understand
- likes and dislikes: dislike, hate, like, love, prefer
- needs and wants: need, want, wish
- opinion: believe, doubt, imagine, suppose, think
- possession: belong to, have, own, owe, possess
- senses: feel, hear, notice, see, smell, sound, taste
Example sentences:
Present Simple (stative use):
Possession: She has a big car. Opinion: They think the new car is too expensive. Opinion: I feel what we did was wrong. Knowledge, understanding: Do you see what I mean? Senses: This juice tastes good. Appearance: She appears to be very upset. |
Present Continuous (active use)
Activity: She is having a shower. Considering: They are thinking of buying a new car. Activity: Don't disturb me. I’m thinking what I should do. Physical reaction: I’m feeling exhausted. Spending time with: Are you seeing Mary a lot nowadays? Imagining: You are seeing things. There is no one at the window. Checking the quality: She is tasting the juice to see if it’s OK. Performing: The Blues Band is appearing at the Odeon theatre on Saturday. |
Both tenses are possible:
I feel sick./ I’m feeling sick.
Ma feet ache./ My feet are aching.
My leg hurts./ My leg is hurting.
I feel sick./ I’m feeling sick.
Ma feet ache./ My feet are aching.
My leg hurts./ My leg is hurting.
Exercise 3
Present Simple and Present Continuous Stative and Active Use
Gap-fill exercise
Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb given. Write out all forms (am not, is not, are not; do not, does not). Read the feedback carefully.
Watch a video about active an stative verbs