Learn what stative and dynamic verbs are with clear examples at the A2 level. Find out when to use each type and practice speaking English every day.
Dynamic and Stative Verbs
You can speak and write English more naturally if you know the difference between dynamic verbs and stative verbs. There are two kinds of verbs that are very common, but they are used in different ways.
What Are Dynamic Verbs
Dynamic verbs talk about things that really happen. They show things that happen in a certain order. You can use these verbs in both simple and continuous tenses.
Some examples of dynamic verbs are:
- run
- eat
- play
- cook
- write
What We Do with Dynamic Verbs
You can use dynamic verbs in the present simple to talk about things you do all the time.
Example: I play football every weekend.
You can also use them in the present continuous to talk about things that are happening right now.
Example: She is eating lunch.
What Are Verbs That Are Stative
Stative verbs talk about things that are happening, not things that are happening. They talk about what they own, how they feel, what they think, and what they see. These verbs don’t have continuous forms because they don’t show an action that changes.
Groups of common stative verbs:
- feelings: love, like, hate
- thinking: know, believe, understand
- senses: hear, see, smell
- possession: have, own
How We Use Stative Verbs
You usually only use stative verbs in the present simple.
Example: I know the answer.
Example: She likes chocolate.
We do not use stative verbs in the present continuous.
Incorrect: I am knowing the answer.
Correct: I know the answer.
Verbs That Can Do Both
Some verbs can be either dynamic or static. The meaning varies according to the context.
Have
Stative meaning possession
- Example: I have a new phone.
Dynamic meaning eating or experiencing
- Example: We are having dinner.
Think
Stative meaning opinion
- Example: I think this lesson is easy.
Dynamic meaning considering something
- Example: She is thinking about her holiday.
See
Stative meaning ability to see
- Example: I see the mountains from here.
Dynamic meaning meeting someone
- Example: I am seeing my friend today.
Summary
Dynamic verbs describe actions that are happening. Stative verbs describe feelings, thoughts, and states. You can use dynamic verbs in continuous forms, but you usually can’t use stative verbs that way. Some verbs can mean more than one thing, so the context changes how they are used.
