Stative verbs

Question

Can all verbs be used as stative verbs, for example :

1. Why do you ask ?
2. Why do you laugh at my remarks ?
3. Why do you say that I am not old enough yet.
In the above sentences "ask", "laugh" and "say" are used in the simple present. Why is that ?

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

Hi;

All verbs can be used in simple present tense. (There might be a very rare exception. )

You might be confusing the stative verbs which are preferably used in the simple (rather than progressive) tenses.

* I am knowing him. (not used)
I know him. (OK)

* I am owning a nice car. (not used)
I own a nice car. (OK)

CalifJim · Answer

Debpriya DeCan all verbs be used as stative verbs?

I don't think this is what you meant to ask. I think you're asking if all (non-stative) verbs can be used in a non-habitual sense in the simple present. The answer is no. Very few non-stative verbs are ever used that way.

These usages almost reach the status of idioms. Why do you ask? instead of Why are you asking? or Why did you ask? and Why do you say ...? instead of Why are you saying ...? or Why did you say ...? are quite common and idiomatic in spite of the non-habitual use of the simple form of the present tense. I'm less familiar with Why do you laugh ...? used in that way. Personally, I would say Why are you laughing ...? All three of your examples can be taken as questions about some habitual action, but I don't think that's what you are focused on in raising a concern in your post.

It's possible that this usage only occurs with verbs of communcation through language. It seems to me that these Why's only occur immediately after something has been said and are considered too recent to be expressed in the past, which would also be acceptable.

Other examples:

Why do you call me that? (after someone has called me by an insulting name, for example)
Why do you object to that? (after someone has raised an objection)
Why do you dispute that?

These patterns all strike me as older forms that hearken back to the day centuries ago when the simple present used to be used as we now use the present continuous forms in modern English.

CJ

Debpriya De · Answer

Thanks, it's clear to me now.

Mister Micawber · Answer

These patterns all strike me as older forms that hearken back to the day centuries ago when the simple present used to be used as we now use the present continuous forms in modern English.

Interesting! Thanks, CJ.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Intersting indeed. I found a quote from "An Historical Syntax of the English Language" by Fredericus Theodorus Visser:

1904, Bain: "The progressive tenses, both present and past, are often erroneously used for the indefinite. When the object is merely to specify an action, and not to point out the fact of its continuing for some time, the indefinite forms are to be used: 'I read', 'he sketched'.... But 'I am walking'.... signify that the action lasted for some time, and constituted the occupation of the persons concerned. .... The expressions 'the master is telling you', 'he is speaking to you', 'were you ringing' are Scotticisms for 'the master calls you', 'he speaks to you', 'did you ring?'..."

Stative verbs

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