Unit 1 4º ESO

They describe a permanent state, so, they don’t usually have a continuous form. These are:

- Verbs of senses: see, hear, smell, feel, taste…

- Verbs of opinion: agree, believe, consider, think, know…

- Verbs of emotions: feel, forgive, hate, like, love…

- Other verbs: be, appear, seem, belong, have (possess), look (appear), need…

Some stative verbs have continuous forms but there is a difference in meaning. Have a look:

STATE ACTION

I think she’s rich. (= I believe) The milk tastes awful. (=it has a bad flavour) He has a pet dog. (= he owns) This cloth feels like velvet. (has the texture) I see you’re in trouble. (= I understand) The kitchen smells of burnt meat. (=has the smell) He comes from Spain. (=he was born in) I love holidays. (=in general) Your hair looks great. (= it appears) Ann is very tall.

I’m thinking about your plan. (=I’m considering) He’s tasting the sauce; it might need some salt. (=he’s trying its flavour) He’s having dinner now. (=he’s eating) She’s feeling her way in the dark. (=she’s finding her way) I’m seeing my lawyer tonight. (=I’m visiting) Why are you smelling your food? (=trying the smell) He’s coming from Spain. (=he’s travelling from) I’m loving this holiday. (=I’m enjoying; specific) She’s looking at some photographs. (=she’s examining) Ann is being very kind to me these days. (=she’s behaving)

A) Check whether or not you understood the previous chart. Check your answers having a look at

the next page.

1. I ……………………..that the situation is out of control. (see)

2. The sausages …………………….. delicious. (taste)

3. …………………….. this party? (you / enjoy)

4. You haven’t said a word all morning. What …………………….. about? (you / think)

5. He …………………….. a Siamese cat. (have)

6. These flowers …………………….. nice. (smell)

7. I …………………….. where she keeps the keys. (not know)

8. Why …………………….. your pockets? Have you lost anything? (you / feel)

9. Why …………………….. the milk? Do you think it has gone off? (you / smell)

10. Ann is Italian. She …………………….. from Italy. (come)

11. That dress …………………….. nice on you. (look)

12. Paul …………………….. to a new record in his room. (listen)

13. If you …………………….. at that comic, I’d like to see it. (not look)

14. Joan …………………….. 50 kilos. (weigh)

15. Mary …………………….. very naughty these days. (be)

Unit 1 4º ESO

ANSWERS:

1. See

2. Taste

3. Are you enjoying

4. Are you thinking

5. Has

6. Smell

7. Don’t know

8. Are you feeling

9. Are you smelling

10. Comes

11. Looks

12. Is listening

13. Aren’t looking

14. Weighs

15. Is being