Anglais > Grammaire > Verbes > Verbes d'état

La plupart des verbes font référence à une action (un processus), par exemple work = travailler. Mais certains verbes font référence à un état.
Voici les plus courants :

Etat - apparence Sens Sentiments Activités mentales
be* = être see* = voir like = aimer (bien) know = savoir remember = se souvenir
have* = avoir hear* = entendre love = aimer (adore) think = penser
suppose = supposer
look* = sembler smell* = sentir (odeur) dislike = ne pas aimer understand = understand doubt = douter
seem = sembler
prefer = préférer believe = croire recognise = reconnaître
taste* = avoir le goût de Autre verbe hate = détester, haïr feel* = croire mean = signifier
sound = sembler (son) need = avoir besoin de  fear = craindre want = vouloir wish = souhaiter

A la différence des verbes d'action, les verbes d'état ne peuvent généralement pas se conjuguer dans un temps de be + Ving : 
He is working. = Il est en train de travailler. mais He is knowing. = Il est en train de savoir.

* Cependant, certains de ces verbes peuvent se conjuguer dans un temps de be + Ving au prix d'un changement de sens :

He is stupid = il est stupide / He is being stupid = il fait l'imbécile / We're being watched = on nous observe (auxiliaire du passif).
He has a car
= il a une voiture / he is having breakfast/a shower = il prend son petit-déjeuner / une douche
he looks tired
(+ adjectif) = il semble fatigué  / He is looking at/for/after his car. = il regarde/cherche/s’occupe de sa voiture
It tastes good (+ adjectif) = ça a bon goût / They are tasting the cheeses = Ils goûtent les fromages.
He thinks that you’re right
= il pense que tu as raison / He is thinking about the question/of moving. = il réfléchit à la question/il envisage de déménager
Do you see what I mean ?
= Tu vois ce que je veux dire ? / He is seeing his boss tomorrow. = il voit/rencontre son patron demain
I feel that it's true. = Je crois que c'est vrai. / I'm feeling fine. =  Je me sens bien.

Rappel : Les temps de be + Ving :

be + Ving Simple Perfect
Present I am working I have been working
Past I was working I had been working

Put the verbs (in brackets) into the simple present or the present continuous. Add a preposition if necessary.
They (not-look) .........................................funny.
She (look) .........................................her car.
He (think) .........................................that you’re wrong.
(you-think) .........................................changing school ?
He (be) .........................................stupid. He (not understand).
They (be) .........................................stupid to annoy their teacher .
(she-see) .........................................her secretary at the moment ?
(you-see) .........................................what I (mean) .........................................?