ESL Worksheet: Stative vs. Non-Stative Verbs
Level: A2-B1 (Pre-Intermediate)
Warm-Up Questions (Pair Discussion)
1. What is something you really like doing in your free time?
2. Do you think learning English is interesting or boring? Why?
3. What is something important that you own?
4. How do you feel about rainy days?
Explanation: Stative vs. Non-Stative Verbs
- Stative verbs describe states (not actions). They express emotions, thoughts, possession, and
senses.
- Example: "I understand the lesson." (Not "I am understanding the lesson.")
- Non-stative (dynamic) verbs describe actions we can see.
- Example: "She runs every morning."
Common Stative Verbs (Vocabulary Table)
Possession
Emotion
Opinion
Sense
have
love
think
see
own
hate
believe
hear
belong
like
agree
smell
possess
dislike
disagree
taste
need
want
prefer
feel
Activity 1: Choose the Correct Verb
Circle the correct verb form (stative or non-stative).
1. She (is needing / needs) a new phone.
2. They (are believing / believe) in ghosts.
3. I (am not understanding / don’t understand) this question.
4. He (has / is having) a car.
5. We (are liking / like) pizza.
Activity 2: Correct the Mistakes
Each sentence has one mistake. Find and correct it.
1. She is wanting a new dress.
2. I am not agreeing with you.
3. Do you knowing the answer?
4. He is having a headache.
5. They are loving their new house.
6. We are not remembering his name.
7. Is she hating broccoli?
8. I am not believing you!
Step 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences with the correct stative verb:
1. I ______ (have/want) two sisters.
2. She ______ (loves/is loving) chocolate ice cream.
3. They ______ (believe/are believing) in aliens.
4. We ______ (need/are needing) more time.
5. He ______ (doesn’t know/isn’t knowing) the answer.
Step 2: Rewrite the Sentences
Change these incorrect sentences using stative verbs properly:
1. "I am hating cold weather." →
2. "Are you wanting some coffee?" →
3. "She is not believing you." →
4. "We are preferring tea." →
5. "He is having a new bike." →
Step 3: Personal Opinion Writing
Write 3 sentences about yourself using stative verbs:
1. (Example: "I prefer summer over winter.")
2.
3.
Step 4: Role-Play Scenarios
Work with a partner. One person asks, the other answers using stative verbs:
- A: "What do you think about homework?"
- B: "I think it’s boring!"
- A: "Do you like spicy food?"
- B: "No, I hate it!"
Funny Reading: "The Man Who Was Always Thinking"
John was a strange man. He believed he was always thinking. One day, his friend asked, "Are
you thinking right now?" John replied, "Yes, I am thinking about thinking!"
His friend laughed. "You can’t be thinking all the time! Sometimes you just know things." But
John disagreed. "No, I am always having thoughts!"
The next day, John went to a restaurant. The waiter asked, "What do you want?" John said, "I
am wanting pizza." The waiter frowned. "You mean, you want pizza?" John sighed. "Fine. I want
pizza."
Later, John met his girlfriend. She asked, "Do you love me?" John said, "I am loving you very
much." She rolled her eyes. "People don’t say that! Just say 'I love you.'"
Finally, John understood. Stative verbs don’t use -ing! He felt happy—no, he was happy!
Comprehension Questions:
1. Why was John strange?
2. What mistake did John make in the restaurant?
3. How did his girlfriend correct him?
4. What did John learn at the end?
Conversation Questions (Pair Work)
1. What is something you really dislike doing? Why?
2. Do you agree that money is important for happiness?
3. Who do you admire most in your life? Why?
4. What smells do you love or hate?
5. Have you ever disagreed with a friend about something important?