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    103 - Non Action Verbs and Exceptions - US

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    103 - Non Action Verbs and Exceptions - US

    Uploaded by

    moreirajunara
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    103_Non-Action-Verbs-and-Exceptions_US

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    11 views2 pages

    103 - Non Action Verbs and Exceptions - US

    Uploaded by

    moreirajunara

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
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    Grammar & Usage

    Non-Action Verbs
    & Exceptions
    Categories
    English verbs can be divided
    into two types: action (dynamic) Categories Examples
    and non‑action (stative).
    state be, seem, appear, exist

    Action verbs involve movement,


    possession have, own, possess
    while non‑action verbs do not.

    feelings & needs feel, like, love, hate, want, need, prefer, wish
    To make non-action verbs
    easier to remember, think
    thought think, believe, know, imagine, understand
    of these five categories:
    the senses see, hear, taste, smell

    Progressive Tenses
    There are six progressive tenses in English, and they all follow the
    be + -ing verb pattern. The present progressive is the most common.
    In general, the progressive tenses are not used with non-action verbs,
    only with action ones (but see the exceptions on the following page).

    � She is upset. � I think that she is a good cook.


    � She is being upset. � I am thinking that she is a good cook.

    � We have two cats. � The man heard a noise.


    � We are having two cats. � The man was hearing a noise.

    � My brother likes animals.


    � My brother is liking animals.

    Copyright 2018, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( V E R S I O N 1.1) 1
    Non-Action Verbs & Exceptions
    Grammar & Usage

    Exceptions
    A. Non-Action Verbs with Action Meanings

    Many non-action verbs have another meaning. If this second


    meaning is an action meaning, a progressive tense can be used.

    • My child is being a brat at the moment. (misbehaving)


    • We are having dinner. (eating)
    • She is having a baby. (giving birth, delivering)
    • I am thinking of buying a new car. (planning, deciding)
    • They are seeing a movie. (watching)

    Some non-action verbs don’t have a change in meaning, but a


    progressive tense can be used to emphasize a longer, continuing action.

    � My son feels sick. � She has wanted a new dress for ages. � I love Netflix.
    � My son is feeling sick. � She has been wanting a new dress for ages. � I’m loving Netflix.

    B. Action Verbs with Non-Action Meanings

    Some verbs that are commonly action verbs can also change meaning.
    With the non-action meaning, a progressive tense should not be used.

    � You are looking out the window. (action) � The children appeared at the window. (action)
    � You look nervous. (non-action) � They appear calm. (non-action)
    � You are looking nervous. (non-action) � They are appearing calm. (non-action)

    Copyright 2018, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( V E R S I O N 1.1) 2

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