At a glance
State verbs: usually no -ing
- Thinkingknow, believe, understand, remember, forget, mean
- Feelinglike, love, hate, want, prefer, need
- Sensessee, hear, smell, taste
- Havingown, belong, contain, have (= own)
- Beingbe, seem, look like, cost, weigh
- Start
- Is it an action happening now?YesYes: continuousShe is eating lunch.
- Is it a state: a thought, feeling, sense or owning?YesNo: simpleShe knows the answer.
- Check the meaning: some verbs are bothI have a car. I'm having lunch.
State or action?
I'm eating pasta. (action)
I love pasta. (state)
I think you're right. (opinion: state)
I'm thinking about my holiday. (action)
They have a car. (own: state)
They're having dinner. (eat: action)
The soup smells good. (state)
She's smelling the roses. (action)
I see a bird. (state)
I'm seeing the doctor tomorrow. (meet: action)
The bag weighs 5 kilos. (state)
He's weighing the apples. (action)
Common mistakes
Practice
Answer the questions. Get 7 out of 10 to finish this lesson.