State Verbs in English
Some verbs describe states and are not normally used in a continuous form.
State verbs:
1. describe emotions or mental states or processes
adore
appreciate (=value)
approve of
believe
care
consider (=hold an opinion)
detest
dislike
doubt
expect (=think)
fear
feel (=have an opinion)
find (=realise)
forget
gather (=understand)
hate
imagine
know
like
loathe
love
need
mind
perceive
prefer
realise
recall
recognise
recollect
regret
remember
require
see (=understand)
see through sb (=understand hidden motives)
suppose
suspect
think (=to have an opinion)
trust (=believe, have confidence in)
understand
value
want
wish
Exceptions: enjoy, long for
2. refer to the senses
feel
hear
notice
observe
see
smell
sound
taste
3. refer to communication
agree
apologise
deny
disagree
mean
promise
4. refer to exterior appearance
appear
look (=seem)
seem
5. refer to possession
belong to
have
owe
own
possess
6. other state verbs include
be
concern
consist of
contain
cost
depend on
deserve
exist
fit
hold (=contain)
impress
include
involve
keep (=continue)
lack (BUT is lacking in)
matter
resemble
signify
suit
surprise
weigh
NOTE
We can use state verbs in the continuous when they describe an action
I'm thinking about/considering taking ballet lessons.
He's always promising to introduce me to the Queen.
I'm seeing Mary tomorrow.
We're having a great time, doing this show.
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