Stative verbs – Exercise 494

Drag each element from the list below to the right gap.

lunch when you called.

a problem but we managed to solve it.

were having

had

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Verbs that can be static and dynamic

Some verbs from this list can be stative or dynamic depending on the meaning.

have and having

Have is stative in the meaning of possession but it becomes dynamic in expressions like have a break, have lunch, have a shower.

Examples

I have an idea.

She’s having a bath at the moment.

be and being

Be is usually not used in the continuous. But we say am/is/are being meaning someone is acting weirdly right now — often with negative shades, criticism.

Examples

He is silly. always

He’s being silly. = is acting silly right now

think и thinking

to think = have an opinion, believe → stative
to think = consider → dynamic

When "think" means "consider", it can be used either in the simple or in the continuous tense.

Examples

Isn't it a great idea? What do you think?

I think we'd better go home.

see и seeing

to see = use your eye-sight → stative
to see = meet → dynamic

Example

Stop hiding, I see you.

We are seeing Jill and Mike on Friday.

taste и tasting

to taste = to have some taste → stative
to taste = try something → dynamic

Example

The apple mousse tastes a bit sour.

The food blogger is tasting the risotto.