状態を表す動詞は、物事がどのようであるか、を表す動詞。State verbsと言います。一方行動を表す動詞をDynamic verbsと呼びます。動詞によってはその両方の役割ができる動詞も。その一方、意味が異なる場合もあります。以下の例文をみてみましょう。
Examples:
Have
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[Dynamic] I am having lunch now. = I am eating lunch now.
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[State] I have a car. = I possess/own a car.
See
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[Dynamic] I am seeing my friends in the evening. = I am meeting my friends in the evening.
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[State] I see why that is a problem. = I understand why that is a problem.
Weigh
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[Dynamic] The man is weighing the fruit = The man is measuring the weight of the fruit.
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[State] The man weighs 75kg. = The man's weight is 75kg.
Think
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[Dynamic] I am thinking about my future. = I am considering my future.
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[State] I think that is a great idea! = My opinion is that is a great idea.
Other words that can be used in this way are appear, be, cost, expect, feel, fit, hear, imagine, look, smell, and taste.
NOTE:
When you use the dynamic meaning of the verb, you can use both the continuous or the simple form of the verb.
- I am having lunch now. and
- I have lunch every day at the same cafe.
The state meaning of the verb is almost always never used with a continuous form.
- I have a car not
I am having a car.
