Action verb
Definition
An action verb presents something happening, changing or being done. Action verbs can usually appear in continuous forms when the action is in progress, unlike verbs that mainly describe a state.
Examples
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They are building a bridge.
The verb describes an activity in progress.
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The children laughed.
The verb reports an event.
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The temperature is rising.
The verb describes a change over time.
Action verbs vs. stative verbs
Leila owns a café.
The verb describes possession, not an activity in progress.
Leila is serving a customer.
The verb describes an activity happening now.
Action verbs present events or processes. Stative verbs usually present conditions, relationships, possession, thoughts or feelings.
Some verbs can describe either an action or a state
The meaning of the verb in its sentence determines whether it is dynamic or stative. A single verb can work in both ways.
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I think you are right.
Here think means hold an opinion, so it describes a state.
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I am thinking about the problem.
Here think means consider actively, so it describes an ongoing action.
Common mistakes
I am owning this apartment.
I own this apartment.
Own normally describes a state of possession, so it does not usually take a continuous form.
They build a bridge at the moment.
They are building a bridge at the moment.
At the moment presents the action as currently in progress, so the continuous form is needed.
Quick check
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence contains an action verb in progress?
Is repairing describes an activity currently taking place.Which sentence uses think as an action verb?
Am thinking about means actively considering something.Which sentence is correct?
The continuous form needs is plus the -ing form: is rising.Nice work — you've completed the quick check.
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