Stative verbs, also known as non-action verbs, cannot be used in the present continuous tense; they can only be used in present simple sentences. There are four categories of stative verbs:
1. Verbs of the senses
(hear, smell, look, seem, sound)
- Look at her; she seems sad.
2. Verbs of opinion
(believe, consider, like, love, hate, prefer)
- I believe he likes her.
3. Verbs of possession
(own, belong)
- This is where I belong.
4. Others
(agree, be, depend, need, mean, remember, realise, recognise, seem, want)
- Please, give me my money; I need it now.
But there are some verbs that have both dynamic and stative meaning. For example, have, think, or see.
- I have a car (=possession) / I am having a siesta (=action)
- I think he is great (=opinion) / What are you thinking? (=action)
- I am seeing the doctor tomorrow at 9. (see= ‘have an appointment’)
- What do you see in this picture? (see= ‘see with your eyes’)
References