[Breaking Grammar Myths: Modern Usage of Stative Verbs]-[AEE: Feeling Anxious About English Grammar? Never Fear!]

All Ears English Podcast · B1 · 2024-07-06

📋 Summary

Breaking Grammar Myths: Modern Usage of Stative Verbs

In the final installment of their three-part series on stative verbs, hosts Aubrey Carter and Lindsey McMahon from the All Ears English podcast address a common point of confusion for English learners: the rigid rule that "stative verbs are never used in the -ing form." By examining modern linguistic trends, the hosts demonstrate that native speakers frequently break these traditional textbook rules to foster deeper connections and articulate feelings more precisely.

The Shift Toward Modern Usage

Many learners are taught that verbs describing states—such as emotions, thoughts, or perceptions—cannot take the progressive (-ing) form. However, Aubrey and Lindsey argue that this is a misconception. In contemporary American English, using the present progressive with these verbs is increasingly common. As the hosts emphasize, "No one's going to bat an eye when we use them this way," and it often sounds more "native and natural."

Verbs That Can Be Used in Both Forms

The episode highlights several categories of verbs where both the simple present and present progressive are acceptable, depending on the speaker's intent to emphasize the current moment:

To Be: While "he is quiet" is a standard description, "he is being quiet" specifically highlights the person's behavior in the present moment.
Feel: Using "I am feeling anxious" or "I’m feeling sick" allows a speaker to articulate a temporary, immediate state, contrasting with the more permanent "I feel sick."
Senses (Smell, Taste, Hear, See): The hosts note that sensory verbs often shift into the progressive form when describing an immediate experience. For example, "I’m smelling hints of saffron" or "I’m tasting all of these" implies a temporary, active engagement with the senses.

When the Rule Still Holds: Verbs to Avoid with -ing

Despite the trend toward flexibility, some verbs remain strictly stative. The hosts clarify that words like "seem" and "appear" (when used to indicate a state of being) generally do not take the -ing form.

Aubrey provides a helpful "pro-tip" for distinguishing usage: if you can replace the verb with "seem," it is likely a stative verb that should not be used in the progressive form. For example, "she appears to be reasonable" works, but "she is appearing to be reasonable" is incorrect. However, they warn that the word "appear" can function as an action verb with a different meaning—such as "Pink is appearing at Madison Square Garden"—where the -ing form is perfectly appropriate because it signifies the act of performing.

Connection Over Perfection

The overarching theme of the discussion is to prioritize "connection, not perfection." The hosts encourage listeners to stop stressing over rigid grammar rules that may be based on outdated textbooks from the 1960s or 70s. By observing how native speakers use language in daily conversation, learners can move toward near-native fluency.

Ultimately, the ability to use these verbs in the progressive form is a tool for nuance. Whether you say "it tastes like mahi-mahi" or "I’m tasting this," the key is to recognize that modern English is evolving. As the hosts conclude, these grammar points should be viewed as opportunities to sound more natural rather than sources of anxiety.

🎯Key Sentences

I have a question for you to start off today.

All right, let's do it.

I have to really pull myself back.

Let us know back on the show.

we're clearing it up for you guys

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📝Key Phrases

pull myself back

talk them into

bat an eye

get a deeper dive

in theory

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📖 Transcript

This is an Aller's English podcast,

Feeling Anxious about English Grammar, Never Fear.

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