Verb (Simple – Continuous – Activity – State) - GE 9 - 7

Verb (Simple – Continuous – Activity – State)

1. Simple Verb Forms

To describe something that is :

Describe	Example
a. Repeated	I usually find somewhere quiet and just read.
b. Completed	I have also called my parents to say goodbye.
c. Permanent	Luckily I only live 10 minutes away.

2. Continuous Verb Forms

Use	Example
a. In progress at a specific point in time	Once I got so involved in the book I was reading that I missed my plane.
b. Unfinished	I have been waiting here for nearly 5 hours.
c. Temporary	I am doing a part time business management course at the moment.

3. Activity Verbs

Talk about activities and actions . Typical activity verbs are:

= play – fly – travel – listen – run – work – sit – study – wait.

Can use in both simple and continuous forms.

I play tennis every weekend.

She is playing tennis at the moment.

4. State Verbs

Talk about states, feelings, and opinions.

We don’t usually use these verbs in continuous verb forms.

I want (wanting) a new car.

Common State Verbs

Cetegory	example
Be & have	Be – have (got) – own – belong – posses – exist
Think & know	Think – know – believe – understand – remember – forget – mean – recognize – suspect – realise – doubt – imagine – suppose
Like & hate	Like – hate – love – dislike – prefer – want – adore – detest – wish
Others	Hear – seem – need – agree – hope – weight – contain – suit – fit – respect – cost – smell – consist of – deserve – involve – trust – envy – include

Verb with two meanings

See – have – think – be can describe activities and states but the meaning changes.

 

example	notes
I am supposed to be seeing (=meeting) my first client at 11 a.m.,	Activity
But I see (=with my eyes) the flight has been delayed.	State
I have (=possess) 3 kids and I never get time to shop for myself,	State
So I am having (=experiencing) a great time today.	Activity
I am also thinking of (=considering) buying a camera,	Activity
But I think (=have an opinion) they might be cheaper online.	State
My youngest is (=permanent characteristic) usually very good,	State
But he is being (=behaving) very difficult today.	Activity