In English, stative verbs are used to indicate a state, not an action. These verbs are often used to talk about a state of mind, emotion, perception, or possession. Stative verbs are not usually used in the progressive form (with -ing) because they do not indicate an action.

Most Used Stative Verbs

Mental states: understand, know, believe, desire, doubt, remember, wish, realize, recognize, suppose, prefer Emotional states: love, like, dislike, hate, fear, need, want, astonish, care, envy, mind, please, surprise Possession: have, belong, owe, own, possess Senses: feel, taste, smell, see, hear, look, appear, seem Others: be, contain, cost, deserve, equal, exist, involve, lack, matter, perceive, promise, resemble

Non-Progressive Usage

Since most stative verbs do not have the '-ing' suffix, the simple present tense is used to talk about a situation at the moment of speaking, not the present continuous tense.

✓ I know John.
✗ I’m knowing John.

✓ I want to drink water.
✗ I’m wanting to drink water.

✓ I don't understand you.
✗ I’m not understanding you.

✓ I will be there, I promise. 
✗ I will be there, I’m promise.

Progressive and Non-Progressive Usage

In English, some verbs can be used to indicate both an action and a state. Generally, the meanings of these verbs are different from each other. Stative meaning is used in non-progressive form, and active meaning is used in progressive form.

Have

Here are some usages where have indicates both action and state.

State	Action
have a car have a house have money have a friend have black hair have a right have a chance	have breakfast have tea have a shower have a holiday have a break have a word have a good time

a) When the verb 'have' indicates possession, it is not used with the present continuous tense.

• I have a red car.

• I don't have any money.

b) When the verb 'have' indicates an action, it can be used with the present continuous tense.

• We're having breakfast now.

• I'm having a good time here.

Be

a) The structure 'be + adjective' is used to describe a person.

• She is very lazy.

• He is a rude man.

b) The structure 'being + adjective' is used to indicate the behavior of a person at the moment of speaking.

• She is being lazy.

• He is being rude to me.

c) Some adjectives are not used in the 'being + adjective' structure as they will not change regardless of the moment of speaking.

✓ He is old. 
✗ He is being old.
_{✍︎  Since old age does not change based on the moment of speaking, it is not used with 'being'}

Think

If 'think' is used with the simple present tense, it indicates that the person has an idea or belief - a state; if it is used with the present continuous tense, it indicates the process of thinking - an action.

• I think you are right.

• I am thinking of you.

Taste

If 'taste' is used with the simple present tense, it indicates that something has a taste - a state; if it is used with the present continuous tense, it indicates the process of tasting something - an action.

• The food tastes delicious.

• He is tasting the food.

Smell

If 'smell' is used with the simple present tense, it indicates that something has a smell - a state; if it is used with the present continuous tense, it indicates the process of smelling something - an action.

• The rose smells nice.

• She is smelling the rose.

See

If 'see' is used with the simple present tense, it indicates understanding something - a state, if it is used with the present continuous tense, it indicates meeting someone - an action.

• I see what you mean.

• I'm seeing my friend tomorrow.

Look&Feel

The verbs 'look' and 'feel' can be used in both the simple present tense and the present continuous tense. Although the meanings are the same, if the present continuous tense is used, the moment of speaking is emphasized.

• You look awful. 
• You're looking awful.

• I feel sick. 
• I'm feeling sick.