Stative verbs describe a state of being and are usually verbs associated with:
- thinking and feeling (for example: believe, know, like, prefer, remember, understand and want)
- the senses (for example: feel, seem, sound, taste, look)
- agreeing and disagreeing
- physical states or qualities (contain, weigh, cost)
As well as some others such as:
- Be
- Belong
- Need
- Owe
- Own
We don’t usually use the present continuous tense with these verbs.
Stative verbs = describe a state of being, sensory experience or physical quality.
For example:
I believe you (not “I am believing you”)
He owes me (not “he is owing me”)
Do you understand? (Not “are you understanding?”)
It doesn’t taste good (not “It isn’t tasting good”)
BUT sometimes we can use the present continuous tense with stative verbs. It makes a big difference if the action is temporary or unlikely to change.
For example:
I’m having a bad day (temporary – use the present continuous)
I have 2 brothers (unlikely to change – use the simple present)