List of stative verbs with their meanings and example sentences

1. What are stative verbs?

Stative verbs describe a state that does not change quickly. They express how you think, how you feel, what you own, or how things appear. These verbs do not usually take the present continuous form because a state is not an action. We say I know the answer instead of I am knowing the answer.

However, some stative verbs have dynamic meanings and can be used in continuous forms. We will look at this later in this post. Here is a stative verbs list that we are going to learn in this grammar lesson.

• be
• believe
• belong
• desire
• dislike
• doubt
• feel
• fear
• fit
• forget
• hate
• have
• hear
• imagine
• include
• involve
• know
• lack
• like
• love
• matter
• mean
• measure
• mind
• need
• own
• prefer
• possess
• realise
• recognise
• remember
• remain
• require
• see
• seem
• smell
• sound
• suppose
• taste
• think
• understand
• value
• want
• wish

2. Stative verbs list by category

2.1 Thought and knowledge

You can use the following verbs when you want to talk about what you think, know, believe, or understand.

I believe in God.

I don’t believe what you’re saying.

I know who stole your phone.

I know what she wants.

I understand you.

Now I understand what he was trying to say.

I think this is a good idea.

Do you think the test was difficult?

I always forget his name.

Don’t forget your keys on the table.

I still remember the first day we met.

I remember it now.

I realise that I made a mistake.

She didn’t realise how late it was.

I didn’t recognise him with his new haircut.

Do you recognise this song?

What does this word mean?

I didn’t mean to hurt you.

I suppose you are busy today.

I suppose we should leave early.

Can you imagine the struggle your father had when he was poor?

I often imagine myself being rich one day.

I doubt he will arrive on time.

Do you doubt my explanation?

I consider this a serious problem.

I consider her a reliable person.

I guess he is about thirty years old.

Can you guess the correct answer?

I can’t figure it out.

I finally figured out the way to solve this Rubik's puzzle.

2.2 Feelings and attitudes

The following list of stative verbs express feelings and attitudes.

I love you so much.

They love each other.

I like spending time by myself.

My son likes learning new languages.

What I dislike the most during my time in the military is waking up too early.

He dislikes the taste of coffee.

I hate being late for appointments.

I think she hates me.

I prefer tea to coffee.

My father prefers staying home on weekends.

I want ice cream.

Do you want something to drink?

He desires a peaceful life in the countryside.

I desire nothing more than being with you.

I fear we may be too late.

She fears losing her job.

I appreciate your honesty.

We appreciate everything you have done for us.

I value your opinion.

They don’t value my work much.

I care about you.

I don’t care what people think about me.

I don’t mind waiting a few minutes.

Do you mind if I open the window?

I wish I could stay longer, but I have to go now.

I wish I were rich

2.3 Necessity

Use these stative verbs when you want to talk about needs and requirements.

I need more time to finish this task.

I need you by my side during this difficult time.

This task requires full attention.

The position requires strong communication skills.

2.4 Senses and appearance

You can use the following verbs when you talk about what something looks like, tastes like, or smells like.

I see nothing here.

Do you see what I mean?

I hear footsteps outside the door.

I hear you.

Do I smell good?

This room smells a bit musty today.

This soup tastes horrible.

How does it taste?

I feel tired now.

He feels confident about the presentation.

You look great.

He looks handsome.

This headphone sounds great.

How does the new headphone sound?

She appears nervous in front of the crowd.

It appears that nobody here realises how dangerous HIV is.

You seem happier today.

The instructions seem unclear.

2.5 Possession

You can use the following verbs when you want to talk about what belongs to you.

I have a meeting this afternoon.

Do you have everything you need for the trip?

I own a small apartment near the city centre.

My sister owns several vintage cameras.

This guy possesses great musical talent.

It appears that all candidates possess the skills required for the job.

The price includes breakfast.

The list in this lesson includes virtually all stative verbs in English.

Where have you put the box that contains my jewellery?

This bottle contains holy water from Lourdes.

The committee consists of five members.

Her job consists mainly of answering emails.

I still lack experience in Python programming.

My son lacks patience.

I still owe you 10$.

My uncle owes a lot of money to the bank.

2.6 Measurement and comparison

The list below contains stative verbs that can be used to talk about weight, cost, or other fixed measures.

The jacket costs fifty euros.

It costs more than I expected.

The package weighs almost two kilos.

Your suitcase weighs more than the limit.

The room measures twelve metres across.

This table measures exactly one metre wide.

Two plus two equals four.

Your responsibilities equal your capabilities.

The new cover fits the sofa perfectly.

These shoes fit me better than the others.

I want to buy curtains that match the colour of the walls.

Your description matches what he told me.

2.7 Existence and relationships

To show that something exists or to describe how things are related, you can use the following stative verbs.

I am here to help you.

The instructions are simple to follow.

God exists.

Female genital mutilation still exists in some parts of Africa.

The results remain unchanged after several tests.

He remained calm during the operation.

Your success depends on consistent practice.

The outcome depends on several factors.

Your well being concerns me a lot.

This decision concerns the entire team.

The project involves several stages of review.

Her role involves working with international clients.

This pen belongs to me.

My life belongs to God.

Of course, your success matters to me.

It does not matter what others think.

3. Stative verbs that can be used in progressive forms

Some stative verbs can be both stative and active. The meaning changes when you use them in the continuous forms.

I’m going to give you a some example sentences to help you understand what I’m talking about.

• think (opinion): I think you are right.
  thinking (mental process): What are you thinking about?
• have (possession): I have a car.
  having (action): I am having lunch.
• see (perceive): I see what you mean.
  seeing (meet): I am seeing a doctor tomorrow.
• feel (have an opinion): I feel that this plan is risky.
  feeling (physical touch): I am feeling something rough under my feet.

4. Stative verbs list in alphabetical order

to feel respect or approval for someone or something

I admire your patience.

to feel deep love or strong affection

She adores her little nephew.

to share the same opinion as someone else

I agree with your plan.

to seem or give the impression of something

He appears tired today.

to value something or understand its importance

I appreciate your help.

to believe something is good or acceptable

They approve of the new rules.

to exist or to describe a state or condition

I am happy today.

to think something is true

I believe you are right.

to be the property of someone or something

This book belongs to me.

to feel concern or interest

I care about your progress.

to matter or be important to someone

Your safety concerns me.

to have an opinion about something

I consider this a good opportunity.

to hold inside

The box contains old photos.

to have a specific price

The shirt costs twenty euros.

to be worthy of something

You deserve a break.

to want something strongly

I desire a peaceful life.

to dislike something very strongly

I detest waiting in long lines.

to not share the same opinion

I disagree with this decision.

to not like something

She dislikes cold weather.

to feel uncertain about something

I doubt he will come.

to take pleasure in something

I enjoy listening to music.

to form a rough idea or judgment

I estimate the project will take two weeks.

to believe something will happen

I expect good results.

to be real or present

This rule still exists.

to like or want something

I fancy a cup of tea with my loved ones.

to feel afraid of something

I fear the situation may get worse.

to experience an emotion or physical state

I feel tired today.

to be the right size or shape

The shoes you bought me yesterday fit me well.

to fail to remember something

I forgot the date.

to feel strong dislike

I hate chocolate.

to possess or own something

I have a new laptop.

to notice sound

I hear someone outside.

to want something to happen

I hope things improve soon.

to form an idea or picture in your mind

I imagine the day will be busy.

to cause admiration or respect

The presentation impressed me.

to contain something as part of a whole

The price includes breakfast.

to include something as a necessary part

The job involves teamwork.

to be aware of or familiar with something

I know the answer.

to not have enough of something

The new appointee lacks experience.

to enjoy or feel pleased with something

I like this idea.

to feel deep affection for someone or something

I love my family.

to be important

Your well being matters to me.

to express or intend something

I mean what I said.

to have a specific size

The room measures ten metres.

to object or worry about something

I do not mind the noise.

to require something

I need more time.

to be in debt to someone

I owe you an explanation.

to possess something

They own three houses.

to understand or interpret something in a particular way

I perceive a change in his attitude.

to have or own something

She possesses great talent.

to choose one thing over another

I prefer quiet environments.

to become aware of something

I realise the mistake now.

to know someone or something by sight or experience

I recognise her face.

to recall something from the past

I remember the meeting.

to look similar to someone or something

He resembles his father.

to stay in the same state or condition

The situation remains unclear.

to need something

The task requires patience.

to notice something with your eyes

I see a bird outside.

to appear a certain way

You seem worried.

to notice a scent

I smell fresh bread.

to appear a certain way based on what you hear

Your idea sounds interesting.

to think something is true without certainty

I suppose you are right.

to have a particular flavour

The soup tastes good.

to have an opinion

I think this is a good idea.

to know the meaning of something

I understand your concern.

to consider something important

I value your honesty.

to wish for something

I want a new notebook.

to hope something will happen

I wish you the best.