Is "understand" always a stative verb

Question

I have read that "understand" is a stative verb and means something like "to know well." However, lately, I have had some doubts on whether that is always the case. For example, in the following sentence

"I can't understand what he's saying"

I'm not sure whether "understand" conveys an action or describes a state. If it was being a stative verb in that case, then substituting something like "know" should be possible. However, "I can't know what he's saying" sounds very wrong. In addition, dictionary definitions of "understand" often describe as "perceive; grasp the meaning of or get the meaning of" which conflicts with its definition as a stative verb. Please explain this matter grammatically.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

roky0071"I can't understand what he's saying"
I'm not sure whether "understand" conveys an action or describes a state.

That's understandable. (

)
You can take it either way.

roky0071Please explain this matter grammatically.

I'm not sure that grammar comes into it. It seems more of a problem in semantics. It's usually not the verb itself which is stative or dynamic, but the usage of the verb within the entire sentence. This is easily illustrated with "to have something to eat", where "have" is dynamic, and "to have two brothers", where "have" is stative.

roky0071I have read that "understand" is a stative verb

There are all kinds of things which are written in elementary textbooks that are not strictly true, but that's because all the details and exceptions would only confuse and discourage the beginner. You are dealing with English on a more advanced level here, so you can't expect the textbooks and dictionaries to cover all the nuances.

CJ

Is "understand" always a stative verb

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