by Carol Cutler
Many ESL students can’t help but translate directly from their native languages in the early stages of learning English.
One of the most common mistakes is using the progressive tense with stative verbs in the process. For example, in Portuguese, it is acceptable to say “I am believing you” as you listen to someone’s excuse for something. Therefore, many Portuguese speakers use the progressive instead of the correct present simple form “I believe you.” There is a long list of stative verbs that we generally don’t use in the progressive tense in English, unless we intend to use them for a different meaning. For example:
“I SEE that woman across the street.” (visual perception) VS. “Dr. Payne IS SEEING a patient at the moment.” (having a consultation)
“That cake TASTES great!” (perception of taste) VS. “The chef IS TASTING the soup to see if it needs more salt.” (action of putting soup in one’s mouth)
“Your jacket LOOKS great on you!” (perception) VS. “She is LOOKING at herself in the mirror.” (action of inspecting her appearance)
“I HAVE a computer at home” (possession) VS. “I’M HAVING dinner with my family right now.” (action of eating dinner)
“You APPEAR to be tired.” (perception) VS. “My friend IS APPEARING on the Tonight Show on TV.” (action of coming into sight)
A short general rule for using verbs as “stative verbs” is never to use them in progressive tenses. They are usually used in the SIMPLE TENSES. If they are used in the progressive tense, they usually become action verbs, as seen in the examples above. A short list of stative verbs includes: to know, to like, to belong, to agree, to understand, to prefer, to need, to want, to seem, to promise, to remember, to recognize. Be careful next time you translate any of these verbs from your native language into English!