What's the difference between a transitive and stative verb?

A transitive verb expresses some kind of action. It is any word that a primary school teacher might have taught you as a 'doing word'. examples include kick, read, run.

A stative verb expresses something unphysical; it can be an emotion you feel, a thought, or a state of being. The most comon are 'be' and 'have', but other examples are 'know', 'like' and 'feel'.

IM
Answered by Isaac M. English Language tutor

8713 Views

See similar English Language A Level tutors

Related English Language A Level answers

All answers ▸

What are Pragmatics?


Explain the 'Innateness' theory of child language aquistion


What is assimilation?


What are the different stages of spoken Child Language Acquisition?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning