Course on Action Verbs - TOEIC® Preparation

Action verbs (also called dynamic verbs in English) describe an action, movement, change of state, or concrete activity performed by the subject. They are distinct from state verbs (or stative verbs), which describe a situation, feeling, state of mind, or condition that does not involve measurable action.

In the context of the TOEIC®, it is essential to master the difference between these two types of verbs, as the use of verb tenses (notably the progressive -ing form) often depends on the nature of the verb.

Main Characteristics

• They express an action or process
  Action verbs generally describe an active process that can be observed or measured.

  • to run, to eat, to write.

• They can be used in the progressive form
  Action verbs are often compatible with the -ing form (with exceptions).

  • I am running, She is eating dinner.

• They imply a notion of change or movement
  The underlying idea is that something is happening, there is dynamism.

  • They are building a house.

• They are opposed to state verbs (stative verbs)
  Stative verbs describe a state, condition, or feeling, and are rarely used in the present progressive.

  • to love, to believe, to know.

Main Categories of Action Verbs

Action verbs can be grouped into several categories, according to the nature of the action or process described:

1. Movement Verbs: run, walk, swim, fly, drive, ride, jump, climb, crawl...
2. Communication Verbs: speak, talk, say, tell, shout, whisper, ask, answer, discuss, explain...
3. Change or Transition Verbs: grow, become, change, evolve, transform, improve, develop...
4. Physical or Concrete Activity Verbs: work, exercise, cook, clean, wash, dance, sing, paint, play, build...
5. Creation or Production Verbs: create, design, compose, write, draw, invent, generate, produce...
6. Manipulation or Gesture Verbs: hold, carry, throw, catch, pull, push, lift, drop, open, close, grab...
7. Reflection Verbs (when they describe an action): think, consider, analyze, plan, imagine...

Complete List of State Verbs

Exceptions and Dual-Use Verbs (Stative/Dynamic)

Some verbs can be stative in one sense and dynamic (action) in another sense. In this case, they can be used in the progressive form when they describe an action.

Verb "have"

• Have in the sense of possession → stative form
  • I have a car.
    (I own a car)
• Have in the sense of concrete action → dynamic form
  • I am having lunch.
    (I am eating lunch)

Verb "think"

• Think in the sense of opinion → stative form
  • I think you are right.
    (I believe you are right)
• Think in the sense of reflecting → dynamic form
  • I am thinking about the problem.
    (I am reflecting on the problem)

Verb "see"

• See in the sense of involuntary perception → stative form
  • I see a bird in the sky.
• See in the sense of meeting → dynamic form
  • I am seeing my friend later.

Verb "taste"

• Taste in the sense of flavor description → stative form
  • This soup tastes great.
• Taste in the sense of action of testing flavor → dynamic form
  • I am tasting the soup.

Verb "feel"

• Feel in the sense of state, feeling → stative form
  • I feel tired.
• Feel in the sense of action of touching → dynamic form
  • He is feeling the texture of the fabric.
    (He is touching to feel the texture)

Verb "look"

• Look in the sense of appearance → stative form
  • You look tired.
    (You seem tired)
• Look in the sense of action of looking → dynamic form
  • I am looking at the painting.

In all these cases, understanding the context and the real meaning of the verb is essential to determine whether it is appropriate to use the progressive (-ing) form or not.

Conclusion

Action verbs (or dynamic verbs) are essential for describing events, gestures, processes, and changes. They are opposed to state verbs (stative verbs), which evoke situations, feelings, or perceptions.

We have written other articles on grammar for the TOEIC®, you can check them out here:

• 🔗 Stative Verbs