Lección 5: State verbs and action verbs.

Lección 5: State verbs and action verbs.

In english we differenciate between states and actions.

•  State: something staying the same. E.g:  She hates you.
• Action: something happening. E.g: I'm eating an apple.

Sometimes there are  verbs that can be used either for a state or for an action.

I think you're wrong. (=believe) STATE      I'm thinking about you. ACTION.

We have three cars. (=own). STATE           We're having dinner.( =eating) ACTION.

I see what you're saying. (=undertand) STATE   She is seeing her boss. (=meeting) ACTION.

You look nice. STATE                                 I'm looking at the picture. ACTION

States are written in SIMPLE TENSES, and Actions can be written in SIMPLE OR CONTINUOUS.

BE: the examples with this verb are about how people behave.

• PERMANENT QUALITY:  You are really nice.

• TEMPORARY BEHAVIOUR:  You're being very friendly today.

We also can use some state verbs in the continuous to talk about a short period of time.

• PERMANENT STATE (simple tenses) I love dancing.
• SHORT PERIOD (continuous) I'm loving this party.

Próxima lección: VERBS: The past simple and the past continuous.