Universidad Metropolitana
Título V Campus
Non-Action Verbs
Learning Zone - Inglés
Definition
Non-action verbs indicate states, sense, desire,
possession or opinion but not actions.
Non-action verbs are also called linking verbs.
These verbs are not usually used in
the progressive tenses.
Some of the common Non-Action Verbs
seem
prefer
like
possess
own
want
Non-Action Verbs- Verb “be”
The verb “to be” is an example of linking verbs. In all
the tenses:
am, is, are, was and were
Non-Action Verbs
I am a doctor.
Action Verbs
I walk for 20 minutes.
She is pretty.
Sara dances tango.
They are students.
The kids play Nintendo.
Non-Action Verbs
Common Non-Action Verbs
Existence
be*
seem
look*
sound*
Sense
see
hear
smell*
taste*
Attitudes
need
want
prefer
Possession
have*
own
possess
Emotion
love*
hate
like
Thoughts
know
remember
forget
belong
understand
Some verbs have action and non-action meanings. They
are indicated by an asterisk* in the table above.
The situation determines whether the action
or non-action form of the verb is used.
Click on the subject you would like to explore.
1.Existence
2.Senses
3. Attitudes
4. Possession
5.Emotions
6. Thoughts
Non-Action Verb: Existence
• These verbs describe appearance.
Non-Action Verb
be
Sentence
She is very nice.
seem
You seem to have a lot of energy.
sound
It sounds like a great idea.
look
Sheila looks very good in that dress.
Back
Non-Action Verb: Sense
• These verbs describe perception and the
senses.
Non-Action Verb
Sentence
see
I will see you later.
hear
Carol does not hear anything.
smell
That smells weird.
taste
It tastes very good.
Back
Non-Action Verb: Attitudes
• These verbs describe attitudes.
Non-Action Verb
Sentence
need
They need your help for the assignment.
want
I want new clothes for my birthday.
prefer
I like blue, but I prefer purple.
Back
Non-Action Verb: Possession
• These verbs show possession.
Non-Action Verb
Sentence
have
Chris and Melanie have a new apartment.
own
He owns a store at Fifth Ave.
possess
Melba posses an inheritance.
belong
Those books belong to me.
Back
Non-Action Verb: Emotions
• These verbs express emotions.
Non-Action Verb
Sentence
love
My best friend and I love flowers.
hate
They hate some kind of bugs.
like
Sally and Michelle like parties.
Back
Non-Action Verb: Thoughts
• These verbs describe mental states.
Non-Action Verb
know
remember
forgot
understand
Sentence
They know my email address.
Do you remember me?
He forgot my name.
I do not understand this game.
Back
Next
Non-Action Verbs and the Present Progressive
Non-Action Verbs are not usually used in
the progressive sentences.
Even when they describe a situation
that continues.
Use the simple present tense
Examples
These verbs cannot be in
the Present Progressive tense.
Notice the usage in the following example.
Correct
like
want
own
Examples:
Christie likes pie. (correct)
Action and Non-Action Verbs

Some verbs have both action
and non-action meanings.

The situation determines whether the
action or non-action form of the verb
is used.
Non-Action Verbs
Action Verbs
My flowers look pretty.
Sissy is looking through the glass.
I think that is not good.
He is thinking about you.
They have a great car.
We are having a baby.
Verbs with Both Actions

These verbs have both meanings:
be
think
taste
look
sound
consider
love
appear
feel
have
smell
hate
Practice:

Choose the correct answer by clicking on the nonaction verb.
1.
She seems nice.
2.
I do believe in fairy tales.
3.
Your perfume smells great.
4.
I love my nephew.
5.
We are happy together.
Practice:
•
Choose the correct answer by clicking on the nonaction verb.
1.
This soup tastes delicious.
2.
I like pecan pie.
3.
Michael is really smart.
4.
We want to eat ice cream.
5.
I believe in love.
Bibliography

http://serc.sogang.ac.kr/erc/Grammar/Ver
b%20Tense/NonProgressive_Verbs.html

http://www.eslgold.com/grammar/nonactio
n_verbs.html

http://users.pandora.be/johan.hulsbosch/el
ementary%20grammar/eg20nonactionverbs.htm
Prepared by:
Cristabel R. Ocasio Ilarraza
 Nirazette L. Gonzalez Abella
