ABSTRACT
Basic distinction of aspect. Stative verbs such as know, feel, own and be able to describe properties or relations which do not imply a change in state or motion and which cannot be directly controlled by the entity possessing the property, i.e. stative situations cannot be started, stopped, interrupted, or brought about easily or voluntarily. Related to this is the fact that stative verbs cannot usually occur in the imperative (*Know Louise!, but Know [what you ‘re doing] before you go!) and cannot be combined with such modal adverbs as voluntarily or secretly.
