State verbs or stative verbs are verbs that represent a ____ instead of a physical action. For example, 'I have a motorbike'. The verb 'have' tells me about a state of ____, not a physical action. In this activity, we will look at all the types of state verbs. State verbs can be divided into four main categories. They can tell us about ____ (have / own / possess / obtain / contain / include). They can tell us about ____ (hear / smell / feel / touch / taste / look / sound / appear). They can tell us about ____ (love / hate / prefer / need / appreciate). They can tell us about ____ (forget / remember / think / recognize / agree / understand / be). Because state verbs are not actions, we don't use them in progressive form (+ing). Therefore, if you say 'I am loving this food', it is grammatically ____ Some people say it because a certain fast food company made it cool and now people say it regularly! It just goes to show that fast food destroys your health and your English! But, as the saying goes, 'You are what you ____ There are many verbs that could be state verbs or action verbs depending on their meaning. This is because many verbs have ____. For example, the verb 'think' can mean 'believe'. For example, I think Mexico is the best country to live in. In this sentence, 'think' is a ____ verb. The verb 'think' can also mean 'mentally process'. For example, 'I am thinking about which is the best option.' In this sentence, 'think' is an ____ verb so I can use it in progressive form. Most sense verbs (see / touch / smell / taste) have double meanings. For example, 'The food ____ great'. In this sentence, 'taste' is a ____ verb. The food doesn't have a tongue to physically taste itself (or anything else)! However, I am human, and I have a tongue with taste buds! Therefore, when I test food before I serve it, I can say, 'I ____ the food'. Another example is 'look'. 'Look' can mean 'appear' as a sense verb. For example, 'He ____ sad.' It can also mean 'see' as a physical action, For example '____ at me?!' We use 'have' in many phrases and the meaning changes. If I say 'I ____ a dog', it is a state verb of possession. But I can also say, '____ a great time', which means 'enjoying'. For more information, check out the fun quiz 'State or Action Verb Quiz'. We also have other state verbs which don't fit into a category. Funnily enough, 'fit' is one of them! For example, "The shoes ____ me perfectly'", said Cinderella! Other state verbs without a category are weigh, cost, owe, depend, and matter. Try these sentences for fun! The chef ____ the food and he says it ____ great! I've ____ about you a lot lately and I ____ you are wonderful. She ____ fast food restaurants. We ____ your comments. I ____ a lot of activities on my website and I hope you ____ a great time doing them! Your idea ____ great. The butcher ____ the meat. He says it ____ five kilos. You ____ familiar. I'm sure I ____ you from somewhere. My boss ____ my potential so we ____ each other next Monday to discuss promotion possibilities. ('see' can mean 'meet' as an action verb or 'understand' as a state verb) The package ____ the instructions. I ____ with you. We should send the mail today. I ____ you all the best with your English.

State Verbs: Explained

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