Definition:
According to Wikipedia a stative verb is one that describes a state of being, in contrast to a dynamic verb, which describes an action i.e. play, cook, run, etc. The difference can be categorized by saying that stative verbs describe situations that are static or unchanging throughout their entire duration, whereas dynamic verbs describe processes that entail change over time.
Examples of stative verbs:
Stative verbs generally fall into 4 groups:
1. Emotion: love, hate, want, need
2. Possession: have, own, want, belong
3. Sense: see, hear, smell,
4. Thought: know, believe, remember
Why are they peculiar?
We do not use the continuous tense = verb ‘to be’ + ‘ing’ with these verbs. For example: I am wanting it, I am knowing it etc
Exceptions:
It is important to note that some verbs are both stative and dynamic. Here are five examples:
1.Be
Be is usually a stative verb, but when it is used in the continuous it means behaving or acting i.e. you are stupid = it’s part of your personality
you are being stupid = now, not usually
2.Think
Think (stative) = have an opinion
I think that coffee is great
Think (dynamic) = consider, have in my head
What are you thinking about? I’m thinking about my next holiday
3.Have
Have (stative) = own
I have a car
Have (dynamic) = part of an expression
I’m having a party / a picnic / a bath / a good time / a break
4.See
See (stative) = see with your eyes / understand
I see what you mean
I see her now, she’s just coming around the corner
See (dynamic) = meet / have a relationship with
I’ve been seeing my boyfriend for three years
I’m seeing Robert tomorrow
5.Taste
Taste (stative) = has a certain taste
This soup tastes great
The coffee tastes bitter
Taste (dynamic) = the action of tasting
The chef is tasting the soup
Getting stative verbs and continuous verbs mixed up is one of the most common mistakes for the English language learner. Understanding their differences will help you discern which is which!