Stative Verbs: Basic

Verbs like know, like, want are not normally used in continuous form.

Examples

• I know the answer.
• She wants a coffee.

Key rules

• Stative verbs describe states, not actions: know, like, love, want, need, believe, understand
• They are normally used in the simple form
• Wrong: I am knowing. Right: I know.
• Some verbs have both meanings (I think it's good / I am thinking about work)

Common mistakes

• I am wanting a coffee → I want a coffee
• She is liking music → She likes music