Stative vs Dynamic Verbs: Core Statives, Simple Only (C1)

Your task

Fill in the gap in each sentence with the correct word or phrase.

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Keep practising! Focus on the explanations below.

Mira exactly what I'm trying to say. (understand)

Correct answer: understands

"Understand" is a stative verb of cognition → simple "understands" with a 3rd-person singular subject. The progressive "is understanding" is rare and only appears in marked uses like "I'm beginning to understand".

I that you're confused — let me explain it again. (realize)

Correct answer: realize

"Realize" expressing awareness is stative → simple "realize". Both AmE "realize" and BrE "realise" are accepted. The progressive "am realizing" only fits gradual dawning recognition.

This box all the documents from the audit. (contain)

Correct answer: contains

"Contain" describes a static relationship between container and contents → simple "contains". The progressive "is containing" is structurally impossible in this sense.

She chocolate ice cream over any other flavour. (prefer)

Correct answer: prefers

"Prefer" expressing a stable taste preference is stative → simple "prefers". The progressive "is preferring" doesn't collocate with a general preference statement.

We a quiet weekend with the family after that hectic week. (need)

Correct answer: need

"Need" expressing a requirement is stative → simple "need". The progressive "are needing" is non-standard in this sense; "need" sits in the simple even when the need is current.

The watch on the mantelpiece to my great-grandmother. (belong)

Correct answer: belongs

"Belong to" expresses a permanent ownership relation → simple "belongs". The progressive "is belonging" is structurally impossible — possession verbs do not take -ing.

I exactly where I was last night, no matter what they say. (remember)

Correct answer: remember

"Remember" expressing settled recall is stative → simple "remember". The progressive "am remembering" would describe an in-progress retrieval, not a confident assertion.

Honey of glucose, fructose and small amounts of water. (consist)

Correct answer: consists

"Consist of" describes a static composition → simple "consists". The progressive "is consisting" is structurally impossible — composition is a fixed property.

Daniella her sister so closely that strangers think they're twins. (resemble)

Correct answer: resembles

"Resemble" describes a stable likeness → simple "resembles". The progressive "is resembling" is structurally impossible — likeness is not an action in progress.

Whether we go ahead entirely on the budget approval. (depend)

Correct answer: depends

"Depend on" expresses a stative conditional relation → simple "depends". The progressive "is depending" is non-standard in this sense.

Honestly, I what you mean by "sustainable" in this context. (not understand)

Correct answer: don't understand

"Not understand" in its stative comprehension sense → simple "don't understand". The progressive "am not understanding" is rare and only fits a gradual realisation, not a flat statement of confusion.

Everyone that working from home full-time has trade-offs. (agree)

Correct answer: agrees

"Agree" expressing a held position is stative → simple "agrees". The progressive "is agreeing" would describe one-time concurrence in a discussion, not a general consensus.

This silence that the jury hasn't reached a verdict yet. (mean)

Correct answer: means

"Mean" expressing signification is stative → simple "means". The progressive "is meaning" is structurally impossible in this sense.

She a small studio in the historic district downtown. (own)

Correct answer: owns

"Own" expressing possession is stative → simple "owns". The progressive "is owning" is structurally impossible — possession is not an activity in progress.

I barely him from college — he's changed so much. (recognize)

Correct answer: recognize

"Recognize" expressing identification is stative → simple "recognize". Both AmE "recognize" and BrE "recognise" are accepted. The progressive doesn't collocate with the bare identification sense.

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