# State and Action Verbs: Rules and Examples | SwaVid

State and action verbs: An action verb names something you do, like run or write. Rules, examples and a free quick check for Class 6 to 12.

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# State and action verbs: rules and examples

## The rule, step by step

## Check yourself

## Common mistakes

## Frequently asked questions

## Keep practising

### Quick reference

### What is the rule for state and action verbs?

### Can you give examples of state and action verbs?

### What mistakes do students make in state and action verbs?

### Free English grammar test

### More in The Verb

Short answer. An action verb names something you do, like run or write. A state verb names a feeling, a thought, owning or being, like know, like, own or need.

1 . Choose the right form. Neel ___ the meaning of this word.

2 . Which sentence is correct?

Action verbs can take -ing. State verbs usually do not.

An action verb names something you do, like run or write. A state verb names a feeling, a thought, owning or being, like know, like, own or need.

I have a cycle. (state) We are having lunch. (action)

Wrong: Sita is understanding the lesson. Right: Sita understands the lesson. (State verbs: use the simple form)

Your child's level and 3 topics to fix first.

All the topics in this chapter, one rule at a time.

- Common state verbs . Learn these state verbs. They name a state of mind, a feeling, owning or a fact.
- State verbs: use the simple form . Even for right now, a state verb uses the simple present, not am, is or are plus -ing.
- Action verbs: -ing for now . An action happening now uses am, is or are plus the -ing form.
- Some verbs can be both . A few verbs change meaning. Have for owning is a state, but have for eating is an action. Taste can be a state (how food is) or an action (trying food).
- I have a cycle. state
- We are having lunch. action
- Sita is understanding the lesson. → Sita understands the lesson. State verbs: use the simple form

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- [English grammar](https://www.swavid.com/english-grammar)
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- [More in The Verb All the topics in this chapter, one rule at a time.](https://www.swavid.com/english-grammar/the-verb)