Guide to Action Verbs – TOEIC® Preparation

Dynamic verbs (also called action verbs in English) translate processes, movements, state changes, or tangible activities carried out by the grammatical subject. They contrast with stative verbs, which express more of a condition, an emotion, a perception, or a permanent state without an observable active dimension.

To succeed in the TOEIC®, it is crucial to distinguish between these two verb categories, as the choice of tenses (especially the use of the -ing continuous form) directly depends on the classification of the verb used.

Fundamental Characteristics

• They translate an observable process or activityDynamic verbs typically refer to an active process that can be observed or quantified.
  • to walk, to study, to create.
• They accept the progressive formAction verbs are generally compatible with the -ing form (except in specific cases).
  • She is walking to work, They are studying for the exam.
• They convey an idea of transformation or dynamismThe central element is that an event is occurring, that there is an active dimension.
  • The company is expanding its operations.
• They contrast with stative verbsStative verbs rather evoke a stable state, a permanent condition, or an emotion, and are generally not used in the present continuous.
  • to own, to understand, to prefer.

Main Categories of Action Verbs

Dynamic verbs can be classified into several families, depending on the nature of the action or process they describe:

1. Movement Verbs: jog, travel, sprint, glide, dash, stroll, hop, skip, race...
2. Verbal Exchange Verbs: communicate, declare, announce, mention, argue, debate, respond, inquire, clarify, present...
3. Transformation or Evolution Verbs: mature, shift, adapt, progress, advance, modify, convert, expand, decline...
4. Practical or Manual Activity Verbs: train, practice, prepare, organize, repair, assemble, perform, operate, maintain, handle...
5. Design or Manufacturing Verbs: manufacture, construct, develop, formulate, draft, sketch, engineer, innovate, assemble...
6. Physical Management or Manipulation Verbs: grasp, release, squeeze, toss, seize, drag, hoist, lower, shut, unlock, grip...
7. Active Reflection Verbs: contemplate, strategize, deliberate, ponder, reason, conceptualize, assess...

Summary Table of Dynamic Verbs

Special Cases: Verbs with Dual Function (Stative/Dynamic)

Some verbs can be stative in a given context and dynamic in another. When they describe a concrete action, they accept the progressive form.

Verb "have"

• Have expressing possession → stative use
  • She has two laptops. (She possesses two laptops)
• Have expressing an activity → dynamic use
  • We are having a meeting. (We are holding a meeting)

Verb "think"

• Think expressing a belief → stative use
  • I think this solution is effective. (I believe this solution is effective)
• Think expressing active reflection → dynamic use
  • She is thinking about her career options. (She is actively reflecting on her career options)

Verb "see"

• See expressing visual perception → stative use
  • I see the presentation on the screen. (I perceive the presentation on the screen)
• See expressing an appointment → dynamic use
  • The manager is seeing a client this afternoon. (The manager is meeting a client this afternoon)

Verb "taste"

• Taste describing a flavor → stative use
  • This coffee tastes bitter. (This coffee has a bitter flavor)
• Taste describing the action of sampling → dynamic use
  • The chef is tasting the sauce. (The chef is sampling the sauce)

Verb "feel"

• Feel expressing an emotional state → stative use
  • They feel confident about the results. (They feel confident about the results)
• Feel expressing the action of touching → dynamic use
  • The technician is feeling the surface for defects. (The technician is touching the surface to check for defects)

Verb "look"

• Look expressing appearance → stative use
  • The report looks comprehensive. (The report appears comprehensive)
• Look expressing the action of observing → dynamic use
  • The team is looking at the data carefully. (The team is observing the data carefully)

Verb "smell"

• Smell describing an odor → stative use
  • The office smells fresh. (The office has a fresh odor)
• Smell describing the action of sniffing → dynamic use
  • He is smelling the flowers. (He is actively sniffing the flowers)

In all these cases, understanding the context and the precise meaning of the verb is fundamental to determining whether the use of the progressive form is appropriate or not.

Conclusion

Dynamic verbs (or action verbs) are essential for expressing actions, movements, activities, and transformations. They contrast with stative verbs, which rather translate permanent states, emotions, or passive perceptions.

• 🔗 The Guide to Stative Verbs – TOEIC® Preparation
• 🔗 The Complete Guide to Preparing TOEIC Grammar – TOEIC® Preparation

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