Complete List of Stative Verbs
This is a comprehensive list of all stative verbs in English. Stative verbs describe states, conditions, or situations that are relatively permanent or unchanging. They are not usually used in continuous tenses.
Verbs marked with an asterisk (*) are commonly misused in continuous forms in informal speech or advertising, even though this is grammatically incorrect.
* Commonly misused in continuous form
Pure Stative Verbs
| Verb | Translation | Correct Example | Incorrect Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| abhor | - | I abhor violence. | ❌ I am abhorring violence. |
| accept | - | I accept your apology. | ❌ I am accepting your apology. |
| acknowledge | - | I acknowledge the problem. | ❌ I am acknowledging the problem. |
| adore | - | I adore chocolate cake. | ❌ I am adoring chocolate cake. |
| afford | - | I can't afford a new car. | ❌ I am not affording a new car. |
| agree | - | I agree with your opinion. | ❌ I am agreeing with your opinion. |
| amaze | - | Your talent amazes me. | ❌ Your talent is amazing me. |
| appreciate | - | We appreciate your help. | ❌ We are appreciating your help. |
| approve | - | I approve of this plan. | ❌ I am approving of this plan. |
| astonish | - | The news astonishes me. | ❌ The news is astonishing me. |
| astound | - | Your courage astounds me. | ❌ Your courage is astounding me. |
| befit | - | This dress befits the occasion. | ❌ This dress is befitting the occasion. |
| believe | - | I believe you. | ❌ I am believing you. |
| belong | - | This book belongs to me. | ❌ This book is belonging to me. |
| beware | - | Beware of the dog. | ❌ Be bewaring of the dog. |
| care | - | She cares about animals. | ❌ She is caring about animals. |
| comprehend | - | I don't comprehend this. | ❌ I'm not comprehending this. |
| comprise | - | The team comprises five members. | ❌ The team is comprising five members. |
| concern | - | This problem concerns everyone. | ❌ This problem is concerning everyone. |
| consent | - | I consent to the plan. | ❌ I am consenting to the plan. |
| consist | - | Water consists of hydrogen and oxygen. | ❌ Water is consisting of hydrogen and oxygen. |
| contain | - | This bottle contains milk. | ❌ This bottle is containing milk. |
| convince | - | You convince me. | ❌ You are convincing me. |
| correspond | - | This corresponds to the facts. | ❌ This is corresponding to the facts. |
| cost | - | The car costs £20,000. | ❌ The car is costing £20,000. |
| deem | - | I deem this necessary. | ❌ I am deeming this necessary. |
| deny | - | He denies the accusation. | ❌ He is denying the accusation. |
| depend | - | It depends on the weather. | ❌ It is depending on the weather. |
| deserve | - | You deserve a break. | ❌ You are deserving a break. |
| desire | - | I desire peace. | ❌ I am desiring peace. |
| despise | - | She despises dishonesty. | ❌ She is despising dishonesty. |
| detest | - | He detests lies. | ❌ He is detesting lies. |
| differ | - | We differ in our opinions. | ❌ We are differing in our opinions. |
| disagree | - | He disagrees with the plan. | ❌ He is disagreeing with the plan. |
| disapprove | - | I disapprove of smoking. | ❌ I am disapproving of smoking. |
| disbelieve | - | I disbelieve that claim. | ❌ I am disbelieving that claim. |
| dislike | - | I dislike cold weather. | ❌ I am disliking cold weather. |
| displease | - | This news displeases me. | ❌ This news is displeasing me. |
| distrust | - | They distrust politicians. | ❌ They are distrusting politicians. |
| doubt | - | I doubt that story. | ❌ I am doubting that story. |
| dread | - | I dread Mondays. | ❌ I am dreading Mondays. |
| envy | - | She envies her sister's job. | ❌ She is envying her sister's job. |
| equal | - | Two plus two equals four. | ❌ Two plus two is equalling four. |
| equate | - | Success equates to happiness. | ❌ Success is equating to happiness. |
| esteem | - | I esteem your opinion. | ❌ I am esteeming your opinion. |
| exist | - | Dinosaurs don't exist anymore. | ❌ Dinosaurs aren't existing anymore. |
| fancy | - | I fancy a coffee. | ❌ I am fancying a coffee. |
| fear | - | Many people fear spiders. | ❌ Many people are fearing spiders. |
| fit | - | These shoes fit me well. | ❌ These shoes are fitting me well. |
| forget | - | I forget names easily. | ❌ I am forgetting names easily. |
| forgive | - | I forgive you. | ❌ I am forgiving you. |
| grasp | - | I grasp the concept. | ❌ I am grasping the concept. |
| guess | - | I guess you're right. | ❌ I am guessing you're right. |
| hate | - | He hates waiting. | ❌ He is hating waiting. |
| hear | - | I hear music. | ❌ I am hearing music. |
| honor | - | We honor your request. | ❌ We are honoring your request. |
| imagine | - | Can you imagine living on Mars? | ❌ Can you be imagining living on Mars? |
| imply | - | Your words imply doubt. | ❌ Your words are implying doubt. |
| impress | - | Your work impresses me. | ❌ Your work is impressing me. |
| include | - | The price includes breakfast. | ❌ The price is including breakfast. |
| indicate | - | This indicates a problem. | ❌ This is indicating a problem. |
| infer | - | I infer from your tone. | ❌ I am inferring from your tone. |
| intend | - | I intend to help. | ❌ I am intending to help. |
| involve | - | The job involves travel. | ❌ The job is involving travel. |
| justify | - | Nothing justifies this. | ❌ Nothing is justifying this. |
| know | - | I know your brother. | ❌ I am knowing your brother. |
| lack | - | They lack experience. | ❌ They are lacking experience. |
| like | - | She likes chocolate. | ❌ She is liking chocolate. |
| loathe | - | I loathe getting up early. | ❌ I am loathing getting up early. |
| love | - | I love this song. | ❌ I am loving this song. |
| matter | - | It doesn't matter. | ❌ It isn't mattering. |
| mean | - | This word means 'big'. | ❌ This word is meaning 'big'. |
| measure | - | The room measures 5 metres. | ❌ The room is measuring 5 metres. |
| mind | - | I don't mind waiting. | ❌ I'm not minding waiting. |
| mistrust | - | I mistrust his intentions. | ❌ I am mistrusting his intentions. |
| need | - | I need help. | ❌ I am needing help. |
| neglect | - | You neglect your duties. | ❌ You are neglecting your duties. |
| object | - | I object to this idea. | ❌ I am objecting to this idea. |
| oppose | - | I oppose this decision. | ❌ I am opposing this decision. |
| owe | - | He owes me £10. | ❌ He is owing me £10. |
| own | - | They own a house. | ❌ They are owning a house. |
| perceive | - | I perceive a problem. | ❌ I am perceiving a problem. |
| permit | - | The rules permit this. | ❌ The rules are permitting this. |
| please | - | This result pleases me. | ❌ This result is pleasing me. |
| possess | - | She possesses great talent. | ❌ She is possessing great talent. |
| prefer | - | I prefer tea to coffee. | ❌ I am preferring tea to coffee. |
| presume | - | I presume you're busy. | ❌ I am presuming you're busy. |
| presuppose | - | This presupposes knowledge. | ❌ This is presupposing knowledge. |
| promise | - | I promise to help you. | ❌ I am promising to help you. |
| puzzle | - | This puzzles me. | ❌ This is puzzling me. |
| realise | - | I realise my mistake. | ❌ I am realising my mistake. |
| recall | - | I recall meeting you. | ❌ I am recalling meeting you. |
| reckon | - | I reckon it's true. | ❌ I am reckoning it's true. |
| recognise | - | I recognise that face. | ❌ I am recognising that face. |
| recollect | - | I recollect the event. | ❌ I am recollecting the event. |
| regret | - | I regret my mistake. | ❌ I am regretting my mistake. |
| remember | - | She remembers everything. | ❌ She is remembering everything. |
| repent | - | He repents his actions. | ❌ He is repenting his actions. |
| require | - | This job requires skill. | ❌ This job is requiring skill. |
| resemble | - | You resemble your mother. | ❌ You are resembling your mother. |
| resist | - | I can't resist chocolate. | ❌ I can't be resisting chocolate. |
| respect | - | I respect your decision. | ❌ I am respecting your decision. |
| rue | - | She rues the day. | ❌ She is ruing the day. |
| satisfy | - | This answer satisfies me. | ❌ This answer is satisfying me. |
| savour | - | I savour this moment. | ❌ I am savouring this moment. |
| seem | - | He seems happy. | ❌ He is seeming happy. |
| signify | - | This signifies change. | ❌ This is signifying change. |
| sound | - | That sounds good. | ❌ That is sounding good. |
| suffice | - | One example suffices. | ❌ One example is sufficing. |
| suit | - | This colour suits you. | ❌ This colour is suiting you. |
| suppose | - | I suppose you're right. | ❌ I am supposing you're right. |
| surprise | - | The news surprises me. | ❌ The news is surprising me. |
| suspect | - | I suspect he's lying. | ❌ I am suspecting he's lying. |
| tolerate | - | I can't tolerate noise. | ❌ I can't be tolerating noise. |
| trust | - | I trust you completely. | ❌ I am trusting you completely. |
| understand | - | I understand the problem. | ❌ I am understanding the problem. |
| value | - | I value your friendship. | ❌ I am valuing your friendship. |
| want | - | We want pizza. | ❌ We are wanting pizza. |
| warrant | - | This warrants attention. | ❌ This is warranting attention. |
| weigh | - | The bag weighs 5 kilos. | ❌ The bag is weighing 5 kilos. |
| wish | - | I wish I could fly. | ❌ I am wishing I could fly. |
Verbs That Can Be Both Stative and Dynamic
These verbs can be both stative and dynamic, depending on their meaning in the sentence.
| Verb | Stative Use (State) | Dynamic Use (Action) |
|---|---|---|
| appear | (seems) She appears confident. ❌ NOT: She is appearing confident. | (performing) She is appearing in a play tonight. ✓ |
| be | (permanent state) He is tall. ❌ NOT: He is being tall. | (temporary behaviour) He's being very kind today. ✓ |
| feel | (emotion/opinion) I feel sad. ❌ NOT: I am feeling sad. | (touching/experiencing) I'm feeling the fabric. ✓ |
| have | (possession) She has a car. ❌ NOT: She is having a car. | (experiencing/eating) We're having lunch. ✓ / She's having a great time. ✓ |
| look | (appearance) You look tired. ❌ NOT: You are looking tired. | (searching) I'm looking for my keys. ✓ |
| miss | (feeling absence) I miss you. ❌ NOT: I am missing you. | (failing to catch/understand) You're missing the point. ✓ |
| see | (understand/perceive) I see what you mean. ❌ NOT: I am seeing what you mean. | (meeting/dating) I'm seeing the doctor tomorrow. ✓ / They're seeing each other. ✓ |
| smell | (has scent) The flowers smell lovely. ❌ NOT: The flowers are smelling lovely. | (sniffing) I'm smelling the soup. ✓ |
| taste | (has flavour) This cake tastes delicious. ❌ NOT: This cake is tasting delicious. | (testing) The chef is tasting the sauce. ✓ |
| think | (opinion) I think you're right. ❌ NOT: I am thinking you're right. | (considering) I'm thinking about my holiday. ✓ |
| weigh | (has weight) The box weighs 10 kilos. ❌ NOT: The box is weighing 10 kilos. | (measuring) The doctor is weighing the baby. ✓ |
Common Misuses
Even though these uses are grammatically incorrect, you'll often hear them in informal speech, marketing, and modern usage. However, they should be avoided in formal writing and academic contexts.
Remember: While you may hear stative verbs used in continuous tenses in casual speech or advertising, it's important to use them correctly in formal writing, exams, and professional communication.