Non-Progressive Verbs

Non-action verbs (also called stative verbs) usually describe states or situations but not actions. Non-actions verbs are not usually used in the progressive even when they describe a situation that continues.

• I want to leave now.   NOT I’m wanting to leave now.

Non-action verbs do the following:

•  express emotions (hate, like, love, want)
  • Mohammed wants to leave right now.   NOT Mohammed is wanting to leave right now.

•  describe perception and the senses (hear, see, smell, taste, feel, notice)
  • She sees the bird.   NOT She is seeing the bird.

•  describe mental states (know, remember, believe, suppose, think, believe, understand)
  • I remember this song.   NOT I am remembering this song.

•  show possession (have, own, possess, belong)
  • I have a headache.   NOT I am having a headache.

•  describe appearance (seem, be, appear, sound, look, seem)
  • You look happy today.   NOT You are appearing happy today.

Be careful! Some verbs can have both a non-action and an action meaning.

• The soup tastes good. Try some. (non-action)
• She’s tasting the soup to see if it needs more salt. (action) 
• I think Indian food is spicy. (non-action)
• I’m thinking of a number between 1 and 100. (action)

COMMON NON-PROGRESSIVE VERBS