stative verb

stative verb (statisk verb): a verb which refers to a state, and which requires no action on the part of the subject. E.g. be, have, contain, know, resemble. The distinction between stative and dynamic verbs is relevant for the use of the progressive aspect and the passive voice, neither of which combines easily with stative verbs. Note that verbs of perception (e.g. see, hear), and verbs of opinion and of thinking (e.g. think, believe, understand) behave as stative verbs.