Non-continuous verbs
Some English verbs, which we call state, non-continuous or stative verbs, are not used in continuous tenses (like the present continuous, the future continuous, etc.).
These verbs often describe states that last for some time. Here is a list of some common ones:
| verbs of perception | verbs that express feelings/ emotions | verbs of the senses | other verbs |
understand believe / think* remember know forget want need agree promise mean | prefer like love hate | taste* smell* sound* hear* look* see* feel* | have* belongcontain fit* keep |
I wanted to talk to you at ten o'clock yesterday. – Not: I was wanting to talk to you at ten o'clock yesterday.
Dynamic verbs
A verb which isn't stative is called a dynamic verb, and is usually an action. This verb can be used in continuous tenses.
I was doing my homework at ten o'clock yesterday. / I did my homework yesterday.
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* Some of the verbs can be used in continuous tenses. But in this case they have different meanings.
Past Simple | Past Continuous |
I thought she was hungry. (= believed) | I was thinking of drinking a cup of tea. (was considering) |
I felt you were wrong. (= thought) The water felt cold. (a link verb) | I was feeling happy. (= I felt happy.) |
I could see a lake from my room. (= it was visible) I saw your problem. (= I understood) | He was seeing the town. (= was visiting as a tourist) |
This tea tasted sweet. (a link verb [= it was] had the flavour of) | Ann was tasting the soup to see if it had enough salt. (= was trying) |
This flower smelled nice. (a link verb = had the aroma) | The dog was smelling its food. (= was sniffing) |
That cake looked good. (a link verb) | He was looking at the picture. (=was watching) |
This coat fitted me perfectly. (= was the right size) | We were fitting new windows in our house. (= were installing) |
She was a nice girl. (= that was her nature) | She was being rude yesterday. (= is behaving, only yesterday) |
He had a cat. (= owns, possess) | He was having dinner. (= eating/ action) |
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* Some verbs can be used in simple or continuous tenses with no difference in meaning.
look (when we refer to somebody's appearance)
Teresa looked wonderful yesterday. = Teresa was looking wonderful yesterday.
feel (when we experience a particular emotion, physical or mental condition)
I felt happy. = I was feeling happy.