State verbs describe situations that are related to the intrinsic features of a thing, person, or situation and are therefore unchanging throughout their entire duration.

Some concepts or qualities appear permanent because they do not change and remain the same for a long time. When describing states, we typically use simple tenses. Certain long-term states always require the use of simple tenses. For example:

Stative verbs are not normally compatible with continuous tenses, since they represent static situations. However, they are sometimes used in continuous tenses with different implications. The nature of the subject (agentive subject or passive subject) and the use of time expressions can affect the meaning of the verb in continuous tenses.

Some verbs change meaning when used in the continuous tenses. For example verbs of perception might change to their active meaning, while other verbs change to a completely different sense. Look at the examples:

Verbs of emotion and linking verbs are increasingly used in the continuous tenses to express temporariness of a situation, as opposed to the normal use of state verbs which shows a fixed characteristic. Take a look at the examples:

Another group of state verbs that express a temporary condition when used in the continuous aspect include verbs of stance and residence. Look at the examples:

Some verbs denote an activity or occurrence. Verbs that refer to these actions are also called dynamic verbs.
Actions have a beginning and end. But not all actions have the same duration. Some actions take hours and some take only seconds. Therefore, we can divide action verbs into three groups:

Activity verbs refer to actions that do not have a specific endpoint. They may last as long as the person performing them wishes to continue. Many movement verbs fall under this category. Continuous tenses are commonly used with activity verbs to show that the action is being performed at the moment of speaking. Let's take a look at some examples:

Achievement verbs refer to actions that happen in an instant and only take a few seconds. They do not have a long duration. These verbs are generally not used in continuous tenses. However, the continuous tense is sometimes used to show a gradual change and process rather than a final result. Look at the examples:

Accomplishment verbs refer to actions with an extended duration that have a natural ending. They describe a transition or transformation. Note that when describing the change, the present simple tense should not be used. We should use the present continuous tense for ongoing changes. Things that go through a process do not usually go back to their previous forms. They are mostly irreversible.

Based on the meaning they represent, verbs can be categorized into six general categories:

These are verbs that describe movement through physical space. For example, "go," "come," "leave," "exit," "enter," "arrive," "move," "walk," "approach," "advance," "climb," "ascend," "descend," "scatter," etc.

These verbs show that the ownership or control of an object is changing hands. For example: "give," "take," "steal," "send," "acquire," "rob," "buy," "sell," "deliver," "exchange," "surrender," "bring," "return," "grant," "lose," etc.

These verbs denote a change in the timing or scheduling of events. For example: "delay," "postpone," "reschedule," "defer," "advance," "expedite," "hasten," "prolong," "suspend," etc.

These verbs show that the subject or object is undergoing a transformation. For example: "become," "change," "evolve," "regress," "modify," "transform," "progress," "vary," "break," "alter," "deteriorate," "destroy," "build," etc.

These verbs relate to acquiring, possessing, or transmitting knowledge and cognitive information. For example: "learn," "teach," "study," "forget," "recall," "memorize," "realize," "grasp," "master," "ignore," etc.

These verbs indicate use of senses of perception and communication between people. For example: "listen," "notice," "watch," "look," "observe," "witness," "detect," "say," "tell," "speak," "explain," "describe," "communicate," etc.