Dynamic & Stative Verbs
English Language: AQA A Level, topic 1.2.6
Lexis - Dynamic Verbs
One way we can classify verbs is by their state.
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.
Material verbs
- Material verbs are concerned with events.
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.
Verbal verbs
- Verbal verbs are concerned with a communication.
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.
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.
Mental verbs
- Mental stative verbs describe an intrinsic process.
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.
Relational verbs
- Relational stative verbs show the relation between things or show a state of being.
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.
Test yourself on Dynamic & Stative Verbs
Which of these statements about dynamic verbs is true?