Dynamic vs. Stative Verbs

I haven't had much time lately to work on my conlang wikilret.
I am intrigued by dynamic and stative verbs. I think I am
beginning to understand the difference.

I'm trying to come up with a list of verb "pairs." Please
add to the list or correct me.

I do understand that English doesn't make the distinction
between dynamic and stative verbs. So most times the
distinction is made by context or modifiers.

For example, taste.
- "John, taste this sauce."  (dynamic)
- John tasted the sauce.  (dynamic)
- Wow it was hot. He could really taste the chilis in the sauce.
(stative)

With that in mind here is my list:

STATIVE   |     DYNAMIC
mount    |     ride
say         |     speak
die          |     kill 	
get          |     take *
know      |     learn
see         |     watch, look
hear       |     listen
feel         |     touch

* this isn’t a “perfect” pair; since I can get something without
taking it; someone could give it to me (I will, however, make
the distinction in wikilret)


later,
scott

"The man with no arms and no legs asked me to remember him."

Replies