UNIVERSIDAD METROPOLITANA
VICERRECTORÍA ASOCIADA DE DESARROLLO Y RETENCIÓN
Programa de Tutorías
Non-Action Verbs
Definition • Non-action verbs indicate states, sense, desire, possession or opinion but not actions.
• Non-action verbs are also called linking verbs. Common Non-Action Verbs seem
prefer
like
possess
own
want
These verbs are not usually used in the progressive tenses.
Non-Action Verbs- Verb “be” •
The verb “to be” is an example of linking verbs. In all the tenses: am, is, are, was and were
Non-Action Verbs I am a doctor.
Action Verbs I walk for 20 minutes.
She is pretty.
Sara dances tango.
They are students.
The kids play Nintendo.
Non-Action Verbs Common Non-Action Verbs Existence
be*
seem
look*
sound*
Sense
see
hear
smell*
taste*
Attitudes
need
want
prefer
Possession
have*
own
possess
Emotion
love*
hate
like
Thoughts
know
remember
forget
belong understand
Some verbs have action and non-action meanings. They are indicated by an asterisk* in the table above. •
It depends on whether the action or non-action form of the verb is used.
Non-Action Verb: Existence • These verbs describe appearance.
Non-Action Verb be
Sentence She is very nice.
seem
You seem to have a lot of energy.
sound
It sounds like a great idea.
look
Sheila looks very good in that dress.
Non-Action Verb: Sense • These verbs describe perception and the senses.
Non-Action Verb Sentence see
I will see you later.
hear
Carol does not hear anything.
smell
That smells weird.
taste
It tastes very good.
Non-Action Verb: Attitudes • These verbs describe attitudes.
Non-Action Verb
Sentence
need
They need your help for the assignment.
want
I want new clothes for my birthday.
prefer
I like blue, but I prefer purple.
Non-Action Verb: Possession • These verbs show possession.
Non-Action Verb
Sentence
have
Chris and Melanie have a new apartment.
own
He owns a store at Fifth Ave.
possess
Mary posses an inheritance.
belong
Those books belong to me.
Non-Action Verb: Emotions • These verbs express emotions. Non-Action Verb Sentence love
My best friend and I love flowers.
hate
They hate some kind of bugs.
like
Sally and Michelle like parties.
Non-Action Verb: Thoughts • These verbs describe mental states.
Non-Action Verb Sentence know remember forgot understand
They know my email address. Do you remember me? He forgot my name. I do not understand this game.
Non-Action Verbs and the Present Progressive Non-Action Verbs are not usually used in the progressive sentences. Even when they describe a situation that continues. Use the simple present tense.
Examples •
These verbs cannot be in the Present Progressive tense. •
Example: 1. Christie likes pie. 2. Mary owns a store. 3. Joseph and his wife seem nice.
Action and Non-Action Verbs • Some verbs have both action and non-action meanings.
• The situation determines whether the action or nonaction form of the verb is used.
Non-Action Verbs
Action Verbs
My hair look beautiful.
Sissy is looking through the window.
I think that is not good.
He is being annoying.
She have a great job.
Michelle looks tired.
References: ESLgold. (n.d.). Nonaction Verbs. Retrieved from ESLgold: http://eslgold.com/grammar/nonaction_ve rbs/ ď Ž Non-action verbs. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://users.telenet.be/johan.hulsbosch/el ementary%20grammar/eg20nonactionverbs.htm ď Ž
Prepared by: • Cristabel R. Ocasio Ilarraza • Nirazette L. Gonzalez Abella