Friday, 2 January 2009

Stative verbs 4

Stative (or state) verbs describe states (things that don't change easily or quickly, for example, what you believe, think or own) rather than actions (jump, talk or buy). These verbs are not normally used in the continuous form (ing).
Stative verbs can be grouped into these categories:

Verbs of emotion:

care [worry / verb]to think that something is important and to feel interested in it or upset about it:

...She's never cared very much about her appearance.
...[+ question word] I really don't care whether we go out or not.
...I don't care how much it costs, just buy it.
.."Was Lorna happy about the arrangements?" "I don't know and I don't care.
..."Your parents are only doing this because they care about (= love) you.

feel
...I never feel safe when I'm being driven by Richard

hate
to dislike someone or something very much:

...Kelly hates her teacher.
...She hated the cold dark days of winter.
...I hate it when you do that.
...[+ ing form of verb] I have always hated speaking in public.I hate him telling me what do to all the time.
...[+ to infinitive] I hate (= do not want) to interrupt, but it's time we left.
...I'd hate (= would not like) you to think I didn't appreciate what you'd done.

like

...[+ ing form of verb] I don't like upsetting people.

...[+ past participle] He likes his steak well-done.

...[+ object + to infinitive] I'd like you to send this for me first class, please.

...[+ past participle] I would like the whole lot finished by the weekend.

loathe

to hate someone or something

...From an early age the brothers have loathed each other.

..."Do you like fish?" "No, I loathe it.

..."[+ ing form of verb] I loathe doing housework.


love

...[+ ing form of verb] I love skiing.

...I'd love a cup of coffee if you're making one.

...[+ to infinitive] She would dearly love to start her own business.

...I'd love you to come to dinner some night.

...US I'd love for you to come to dinner tonight.

need

...[+ object + to infinitive] I need you to help me choose an outfit.

...I badly need (= strongly want) a rest from all this.

...INFORMAL I don't need all this hassle.

...What you need, my son, is a nice hot bowl of soup.

...[+ ing form of verb] This room needs brightening up a bit.

...[+ past participle or + ing form of verb] She needs her hair washed/UK washing.

prefer

...[+ ing form of verb] He prefers watching rugby to playing it.

...[+ to infinitive] I'd prefer not to discuss this issue.

...FORMAL I'd prefer you not to smoke (= I would like it better if you did not smoke), please.


want

...[+ object + past participle] This letter - do you want it sent first class?

...[+ object + adjective] Do you want this pie hot?
...[+ object + ing form of verb] I don't want a load of traffic going past my house all night, waking me up.
...Am I wanted at the meeting tomorrow?
...He is wanted by the police (= The police are searching for him).

Verbs of ownership:

own
to have something that legally belongs to you:

...We own our house.
..I've never owned a suit in my life.
...to admit: [+ (that)] I own (that) I was not very happy with the group's decision.


have
(ALSO 've/'s, MAINLY UK have got) to own or possess

They have a beautiful home.

He has plenty of money but no style.

I've got two brothers.

Have you got time to finish the report today?

I've got a suggestion/an idea.

...He asked me how many men I'd had. SLANG to have sex with someone

possess

to have or own something, or to have a particular quality

...I don't possess a single DVD (= I don't have even one DVD).

...In the past the root of this plant was thought to possess magical powers which could cure baldness.

Verbs of the mind:

believe

...[+ object + to infinitive] I believe her to be the finest violinist in the world.

...[+ object + adjective] All the crew are missing, believed dead.

..."Is she coming alone?" "We believe not/so (= We think she is not/is)."

...[+ that] He believes that all children are born with equal intelligence.


mean

What do you mean by that remark? [exprees]

[+ that] These figures mean that almost 7% of the working population is unemployed

[[+ ing form of verb] If we want to catch the 7.30 train, that will mean leaving the house at 6.00.[HAVE RESULT)

It wasn't a valuable picture but it meant a lot to me.

Possessions mean nothing to him.

I'm sorry if I offended you - I didn't mean any harm. [to intend]

The books with large print are meant for our partially sighted readers.

[+ to infinitive] I've been meaning to phone you all week.

Do you think she meant to say 9 a.m. instead of 9 p.m.?

[+ object + to infinitive] This exercise isn't meant to be difficult.

They didn't mean for her to read the letter.

suppose (THINK LIKELY]

...[+ to infinitive] We all supposed him to be German, but in fact he was Swiss.

...Her new book is supposed to be (= generally people think it is) very good.

...It is widely supposed (that) the minister will be forced to resign.

forget

I completely forgot about Gemma's party

[+ ing form of verb]=She would never forget seeing the Himalayas for the first time

I've forgotten what you do next/how to do it.

[+ (that)] We had forgotten (that) she doesn't come on Thursdays


realise
understand
know
remember
doubt

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