Verb

  • Parts of speech: Verb(Part-5b): Verbs of possession, attribution and cognition.

    Mohammad Abdullah,

    Verbs of possession and attribution:-

    Possession and attribution are static actions, not dynamic ones. Verbs that refer to ownership are considered stative and do not take the continuous form. For example: 

    “I have a large house.”

    “She owns three cars.”

    “That stereo belongs to me.”

    “They have a large family.”

    “He holds several postgraduate degrees.”

    “She possesses a great wealth of knowledge.”

     

    Using the continuous form:-

    We often find some of these verbs used in the continuous forms, but their meanings are different and they are functioning as action verbs instead, as in:

    • “You’re not holding on to the hammer tight enough!” (Hold means “to grip with one’s hands” in this context.)
    • “He thinks that a ghost is possessing” (Possess means “to gain control or power over” in this context.)
    • “She’s having a baby in a few months.” (Have means “to give birth to” in this context.)
    • “They’re having a party next door.” (Have means “to arrange or carry out” in this context.)