1.2.6

Dynamic & Stative Verbs

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Lexis - Dynamic Verbs

One way we can classify verbs is by their state.

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Dynamic verbs

  • Dynamic verbs are actions that can start and end.
    • For example, shout, hit and build.
  • These verbs can either be material or verbal.
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Material verbs

  • Material verbs are concerned with events.
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Material verbs - examples

  • Anna drove to work.
    • Drove is the material dynamic verb.
  • James parked his car.
    • Parked is the material dynamic verb.
  • Eddy melted butter in the pan.
    • Melted is the material dynamic verb.
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Verbal verbs

  • Verbal verbs are concerned with a communication.
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Verbal verbs - examples

  • Anna sang the song on her way to work.
    • Sang is the verbal dynamic verb.
  • Molly and Billie spoke for hours.
    • Spoke is the verbal dynamic verb.
  • Kenji shouted at his mother.
    • Shouted is the verbal dynamic verb.

Lexis - Stative Verbs

One way we can classify verbs is by their state.

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Stative verbs

  • Stative verbs describe actions/states which are quite constant.
    • For example, think, believe and love.
  • These can be broken down into mental (or cognitive) or relational.
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Mental verbs

  • Mental stative verbs describe an intrinsic process.
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Mental verbs - examples

  • Ellie thought about writing a book.
    • Here, ‘thought’ is a stative mental verb.
  • Sally loved her brother dearly.
    • Here, 'loved' is a stative mental verb.
  • I do believe in fairies.
    • Here, 'believe' is a stative mental verb.
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Relational verbs

  • Relational stative verbs show the relation between things or show a state of being.
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Relational verbs - examples

  • Ellie became an author.
    • Here, ‘became’ is a stative relational verb.
  • Isaac owns three cars.
    • Here, 'owns' is a stative relational verb.
  • The box contains my socks.
    • Here, 'contains' is a stative relational verb.

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1Language Levels

2Language, The Individual & Society

3Language Diversity & Change

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