The Ultimate Guide to English Verbs for Beginners 2025

Verbs are the heart of any sentence, driving the action and connecting subjects to their actions or states of being. Mastering verbs is crucial for building a strong foundation in English grammar.

This comprehensive guide is designed for beginners and anyone looking to solidify their understanding of English verbs. We will explore the various types of verbs, their forms, and how they function in sentences.

This guide provides clear explanations, numerous examples, and practical exercises to help you confidently use verbs in your everyday communication.

Whether you’re a student learning English for the first time or someone who wants to improve your grammar skills, this guide will provide you with the knowledge and tools necessary to use verbs effectively. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to identify different types of verbs, conjugate them correctly, and use them to create grammatically sound sentences.

So, let’s dive in and explore the fascinating world of English verbs!

Table of Contents

• What is a Verb?
• Structural Breakdown of Verbs
• Types of Verbs
  • Action Verbs
  • Linking Verbs
  • Auxiliary Verbs (Helping Verbs)
  • Modal Verbs
  • Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
  • Regular and Irregular Verbs
• Examples of Verbs in Sentences
• Usage Rules for Verbs
  • Subject-Verb Agreement
  • Verb Tenses
  • Verb Moods
  • Active and Passive Voice
• Common Mistakes with Verbs
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics
  • Phrasal Verbs
  • Gerunds and Infinitives
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Conclusion

What is a Verb?

A verb is a word that describes an action, occurrence, or state of being. It is an essential part of a sentence because it tells us what the subject is doing or being. Without a verb, a sentence is incomplete. Verbs can express physical actions (run, jump, write), mental actions (think, believe, imagine), or states of being (be, seem, exist). Understanding verbs is fundamental to constructing grammatically correct and meaningful sentences in English.

Verbs are often categorized based on their function within a sentence. They can be classified as action verbs, linking verbs, or auxiliary verbs.

Action verbs describe what the subject does. Linking verbs connect the subject to a word that describes or identifies it.

Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs, assist the main verb in expressing tense, mood, or voice. Each category plays a distinct role in shaping the meaning of a sentence.

In addition to their functional roles, verbs also have different forms. These forms indicate tense (present, past, future), number (singular, plural), and person (first, second, third).

The ability to recognize and use these different forms is crucial for accurate and effective communication. As we delve deeper into this guide, we will explore these forms in detail and provide examples to illustrate their usage.

Structural Breakdown of Verbs

Understanding the structure of verbs involves recognizing their different forms and how they change based on tense, person, and number. The basic form of a verb is called the base form or infinitive (e.g., to run, to eat, to be). This form is typically used with the word “to,” but it can also be used without “to” in certain constructions. Verbs also have different forms to indicate tense: present, past, and future.

The present tense is used to describe actions that are happening now or that happen regularly. For example, “I eat breakfast every morning.” The past tense is used to describe actions that happened in the past. For example, “I ate breakfast this morning.” The future tense is used to describe actions that will happen in the future. For example, “I will eat breakfast tomorrow.”

Verbs also change based on the person and number of the subject. In the present tense, most verbs add “-s” or “-es” when the subject is a singular noun or the pronouns “he,” “she,” or “it.” For example, “He eats breakfast every morning.” However, verbs do not change in this way when the subject is a plural noun or the pronouns “I,” “you,” “we,” or “they.” For example, “They eat breakfast every morning.” Understanding these structural elements is key to using verbs correctly.

Types of Verbs

English verbs can be classified into several categories based on their function and characteristics. Understanding these categories is essential for mastering verb usage.

The main types of verbs include action verbs, linking verbs, auxiliary verbs, modal verbs, transitive and intransitive verbs, and regular and irregular verbs. Let’s explore each of these categories in detail.

Action Verbs

Action verbs describe what the subject of a sentence does. They express physical or mental actions. These verbs are the most common type and form the backbone of many sentences. Examples include run, jump, write, think, and believe. Action verbs bring life and movement to your sentences, making them more vivid and engaging.

Action verbs can be either transitive or intransitive. A transitive verb requires a direct object to receive the action. For example, in the sentence “She kicked the ball,” “kicked” is a transitive verb, and “the ball” is the direct object. An intransitive verb does not require a direct object. For example, in the sentence “The baby slept,” “slept” is an intransitive verb.

Here’s a table with examples of action verbs used in sentences:

Action Verb	Example Sentence
Run	I run every morning for exercise.
Jump	The cat jumped over the fence.
Write	She writes poetry in her free time.
Read	He reads a book before bed.
Speak	They speak English fluently.
Listen	We listen to music on the radio.
Cook	My mother cooks delicious meals.
Clean	I clean my room every weekend.
Paint	He paints beautiful landscapes.
Sing	She sings in the choir.
Dance	They dance at the party.
Play	The children play in the park.
Work	He works at a bank.
Study	She studies at the library.
Travel	They travel to Europe every year.
Swim	I swim in the pool.
Climb	He climbs the mountain.
Build	They build houses.
Repair	I repair the car.
Drive	She drives to work.

Linking Verbs

Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence to a noun or adjective that describes or identifies the subject. They do not show action. Instead, they link the subject to additional information. The most common linking verb is to be (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been). Other linking verbs include seem, become, appear, feel, look, sound, and taste.

For example, in the sentence “She is a doctor,” “is” is a linking verb that connects the subject “she” to the noun “doctor,” which identifies her. In the sentence “The soup tastes delicious,” “tastes” is a linking verb that connects the subject “the soup” to the adjective “delicious,” which describes it. Linking verbs are essential for expressing states of being and providing descriptive information.

Here’s a table with examples of linking verbs used in sentences:

Linking Verb	Example Sentence
Is	She is a teacher.
Are	They are students.
Was	He was a great leader.
Were	We were at the park.
Be	It is important to be kind.
Being	She is being helpful.
Been	I have been to Paris.
Seem	He seems happy.
Become	She became a doctor.
Appear	They appear tired.
Feel	I feel sick.
Look	She looks beautiful.
Sound	The music sounds good.
Taste	The cake tastes delicious.
Get	He got angry.
Grow	They grew old.
Remain	She remained silent.
Stay	He stayed calm.
Turn	The leaves turned brown.
Prove	The theory proved correct.

Auxiliary Verbs (Helping Verbs)

Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs, assist the main verb in expressing tense, mood, or voice. They do not have meaning on their own but add grammatical information to the main verb. The most common auxiliary verbs are be, do, and have. These verbs can be used in various forms (e.g., am, is, are, was, were, do, does, did, have, has, had) to create different tenses and constructions.

For example, in the sentence “I am eating,” “am” is an auxiliary verb that helps the main verb “eating” express the present continuous tense. In the sentence “She has finished her homework,” “has” is an auxiliary verb that helps the main verb “finished” express the present perfect tense. Auxiliary verbs are crucial for forming complex verb phrases and conveying precise meanings.

Here’s a table with examples of auxiliary verbs used in sentences:

Auxiliary Verb	Example Sentence
Am	I am studying English.
Is	He is playing football.
Are	They are watching TV.
Was	She was reading a book.
Were	We were listening to music.
Do	I do not like coffee.
Does	He does not eat meat.
Did	She did not go to the party.
Have	I have finished my work.
Has	He has traveled to Europe.
Had	They had already left.
Be	The house will be painted tomorrow.
Being	The dinner is being cooked.
Been	He has been working hard.
Shall	We shall overcome.
Will	I will go to the store later.
Should	You should study more.
Would	I would like some tea.
Could	I could help you.
Might	It might rain.

Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verb that express possibility, necessity, permission, or ability. They are always followed by the base form of the main verb. Common modal verbs include can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would. Modal verbs add nuance and specificity to your sentences, allowing you to express a wide range of meanings.

For example, “I can swim” expresses ability. “You must study” expresses necessity. “He may come” expresses possibility. Modal verbs are essential for expressing different degrees of certainty and obligation.

Here’s a table with examples of modal verbs used in sentences:

Modal Verb	Example Sentence
Can	I can speak English.
Could	She could play the piano.
May	It may rain tomorrow.
Might	He might come to the party.
Must	You must study for the exam.
Shall	We shall overcome.
Should	You should eat healthy food.
Will	I will travel to Japan next year.
Would	I would like some coffee.
Ought to	You ought to apologize.
Had better	You had better hurry.
Can’t	I can’t believe it.
Couldn’t	She couldn’t hear me.
May not	You may not enter.
Might not	It might not work.
Must not	You must not cheat.
Shouldn’t	You shouldn’t do that.
Won’t	I won’t go there.
Wouldn’t	He wouldn’t agree.
Needn’t	You needn’t worry.

Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

As mentioned earlier, verbs can be classified as either transitive or intransitive, depending on whether they require a direct object. A transitive verb takes a direct object, which is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb. For example, in the sentence “She kicked the ball,” “kicked” is a transitive verb, and “the ball” is the direct object.

An intransitive verb does not take a direct object. It expresses an action or state of being without acting upon anything. For example, in the sentence “The baby slept,” “slept” is an intransitive verb. Some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive, depending on the context. For example, “He runs every day” (intransitive) versus “He runs a business” (transitive).

Here’s a table with examples of transitive and intransitive verbs:

Verb	Transitive Example	Intransitive Example
Eat	I eat an apple.	I eat every day.
Read	She reads a book.	She reads often.
Write	He writes a letter.	He writes well.
Sing	They sing a song.	They sing beautifully.
Play	We play football.	We play outside.
Run	He runs the company.	He runs fast.
Open	She opened the door.	The store opens at 9 AM.
Close	He closed the window.	The meeting closed early.
Break	She broke the vase.	The glass broke easily.
Fly	He flies a kite.	Birds fly south for the winter.
Ring	He rings the bell.	The phone rings loudly.
Drink	I drink water.	I drink often.
See	I see a bird.	I see clearly.
Hear	I hear music.	I hear well.
Feel	I feel the fabric.	I feel happy.
Smell	I smell the flowers.	It smells good.
Taste	I taste the soup.	The soup tastes good.
Touch	I touch the screen.	Don’t touch that!
Watch	I watch the movie.	I watch carefully.
Grow	He grows vegetables.	The plants grow quickly.

Regular and Irregular Verbs

Verbs can also be classified as regular or irregular, based on how they form their past tense and past participle. Regular verbs form their past tense and past participle by adding “-ed” to the base form. For example, walk becomes walked, and play becomes played. These verbs follow a predictable pattern, making them easier to learn.

Irregular verbs, on the other hand, do not follow this pattern. Their past tense and past participle forms are unpredictable and must be memorized. For example, go becomes went (past tense) and gone (past participle), and eat becomes ate (past tense) and eaten (past participle). Irregular verbs can be challenging for learners, but mastering them is essential for fluent English.

Here’s a table with examples of regular and irregular verbs:

Base Form	Past Tense	Past Participle	Type
Walk	Walked	Walked	Regular
Play	Played	Played	Regular
Talk	Talked	Talked	Regular
Jump	Jumped	Jumped	Regular
Cook	Cooked	Cooked	Regular
Go	Went	Gone	Irregular
Eat	Ate	Eaten	Irregular
See	Saw	Seen	Irregular
Write	Wrote	Written	Irregular
Take	Took	Taken	Irregular
Come	Came	Come	Irregular
Run	Ran	Run	Irregular
Give	Gave	Given	Irregular
Find	Found	Found	Irregular
Say	Said	Said	Irregular
Make	Made	Made	Irregular
Do	Did	Done	Irregular
Get	Got	Got/Gotten	Irregular
Have	Had	Had	Irregular
Be	Was/Were	Been	Irregular

Examples of Verbs in Sentences

To further illustrate the different types of verbs and their usage, let’s look at more examples in sentences. The following tables provide a variety of sentences using action verbs, linking verbs, auxiliary verbs, and modal verbs.

These examples will help you understand how verbs function in different contexts and how they contribute to the overall meaning of a sentence.

Here’s a table with a variety of sentences:

Sentence	Verb Type
The dog barks loudly.	Action Verb
She is a talented artist.	Linking Verb
They are playing in the park.	Auxiliary Verb (with Action Verb)
I can speak Spanish.	Modal Verb
He writes novels in his free time.	Action Verb
The flowers smell sweet.	Linking Verb
We have finished our homework.	Auxiliary Verb (with Action Verb)
You must study for the exam.	Modal Verb
The birds fly south for the winter.	Action Verb
The weather is getting colder.	Linking Verb
She was reading a book when I arrived.	Auxiliary Verb (with Action Verb)
I will travel to Europe next year.	Modal Verb
He runs a marathon every year.	Action Verb
The food tastes delicious.	Linking Verb
They had already left when we arrived.	Auxiliary Verb (with Action Verb)
You should always be polite.	Modal Verb
The cat jumps over the fence.	Action Verb
The sky is blue.	Linking Verb
We are going to the beach tomorrow.	Auxiliary Verb (with Action Verb)
I would like some coffee.	Modal Verb
The baby sleeps soundly.	Action Verb
She seems happy.	Linking Verb
He is being very helpful.	Auxiliary Verb (with Action Verb)
We could go to the movies tonight.	Modal Verb

Usage Rules for Verbs

Using verbs correctly involves understanding several key rules, including subject-verb agreement, verb tenses, verb moods, and active and passive voice. These rules ensure that your sentences are grammatically correct and convey the intended meaning clearly.

Let’s explore each of these rules in detail.

Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement means that the verb in a sentence must agree in number (singular/plural) with its subject. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular.

If the subject is plural or uses the pronouns ‘I’, ‘you’, ‘we’, or ‘they’, the verb must be plural. This is a fundamental rule of English grammar that ensures clarity and coherence in your writing.

For example, “He eats breakfast” (singular subject, singular verb) versus “They eat breakfast” (plural subject, plural verb). It’s important to pay close attention to subject-verb agreement, especially when the subject is separated from the verb by other words or phrases.

Here are some examples illustrating subject-verb agreement:

Subject	Verb	Example Sentence
I	Am	I am a student.
You	Are	You are my friend.
He/She/It	Is	He is a doctor.
We	Are	We are happy.
They	Are	They are playing.
The dog	Barks	The dog barks loudly.
The dogs	Bark	The dogs bark loudly.
The book	Is	The book is interesting.
The books	Are	The books are interesting.
A cat	Sits	A cat sits on the mat.
Cats	Sit	Cats sit on the mat.
My mother	Cooks	My mother cooks well.
My parents	Cook	My parents cook well.
The teacher	Explains	The teacher explains the lesson.
The teachers	Explain	The teachers explain the lesson.
Each student	Has	Each student has a book.
All students	Have	All students have books.
Someone	Is	Someone is at the door.
People	Are	People are waiting.
Nobody	Knows	Nobody knows the answer.

Verb Tenses

Verb tenses indicate when an action takes place – in the past, present, or future. English has twelve main verb tenses, each with its own specific form and usage.

Understanding verb tenses is crucial for conveying the correct timing and duration of events in your sentences. The basic tenses are simple present, simple past, and simple future, but there are also continuous (progressive) and perfect tenses.

For example, “I eat breakfast every morning” (simple present). “I ate breakfast this morning” (simple past). “I will eat breakfast tomorrow” (simple future). Mastering verb tenses allows you to express a wide range of temporal relationships and nuances.

Here’s a table showing the basic verb tenses with examples:

Tense	Form	Example Sentence
Simple Present	Base form / Base form + -s/-es	I eat breakfast. / He eats breakfast.
Simple Past	Past form (usually -ed)	I ate breakfast.
Simple Future	Will + base form	I will eat breakfast.
Present Continuous	Am/Is/Are + -ing form	I am eating breakfast.
Past Continuous	Was/Were + -ing form	I was eating breakfast.
Future Continuous	Will be + -ing form	I will be eating breakfast.
Present Perfect	Have/Has + past participle	I have eaten breakfast.
Past Perfect	Had + past participle	I had eaten breakfast.
Future Perfect	Will have + past participle	I will have eaten breakfast.
Present Perfect Continuous	Have/Has been + -ing form	I have been eating breakfast.
Past Perfect Continuous	Had been + -ing form	I had been eating breakfast.
Future Perfect Continuous	Will have been + -ing form	I will have been eating breakfast.

Verb Moods

Verb moods indicate the manner or attitude in which a verb is used. English has three main verb moods: indicative, imperative, and subjunctive.

Each mood serves a different purpose and conveys a different tone or intent.

The indicative mood is used to state facts or ask questions. It is the most common mood in English. For example, “She is a teacher” (statement of fact). “Are you coming?” (question). The imperative mood is used to give commands or make requests. The subject is usually implied (you). For example, “Close the door” (command). “Please be quiet” (request). The subjunctive mood is used to express wishes, possibilities, or hypothetical situations. It is less common in modern English but still important to recognize. For example, “I wish I were taller” (wish). “If I were you, I would study harder” (hypothetical situation).

Here’s a table with examples of verb moods:

Mood	Purpose	Example Sentence
Indicative	States a fact or asks a question	She is a doctor. / Are you coming?
Imperative	Gives a command or makes a request	Close the door. / Please be quiet.
Subjunctive	Expresses a wish, possibility, or hypothetical situation	I wish I were taller. / If I were you, I would study harder.

Active and Passive Voice

Voice refers to the form of a verb that indicates whether the subject performs the action (active voice) or receives the action (passive voice). In the active voice, the subject is the agent of the action. For example, “The cat chased the mouse.” In the passive voice, the subject is the recipient of the action. The passive voice is formed using a form of the verb “to be” + the past participle. For example, “The mouse was chased by the cat.”

The active voice is generally more direct and concise, while the passive voice can be useful when the agent of the action is unknown or unimportant. However, overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound weak or unclear.

Here’s a table with examples of active and passive voice:

Voice	Example Sentence
Active	The dog chased the ball.
Passive	The ball was chased by the dog.
Active	She wrote a letter.
Passive	A letter was written by her.
Active	They built the house.
Passive	The house was built by them.
Active	The chef cooked the meal.
Passive	The meal was cooked by the chef.
Active	The students answered the questions.
Passive	The questions were answered by the students.

Common Mistakes with Verbs

Even experienced English speakers sometimes make mistakes with verbs. Some common errors include incorrect subject-verb agreement, misuse of verb tenses, and confusion between similar verb forms.

Being aware of these common mistakes can help you avoid them in your own writing and speaking.

One frequent mistake is using the wrong form of an irregular verb. For example, saying “I goed to the store” instead of “I went to the store.” Another common error is incorrect subject-verb agreement, such as “They was happy” instead of “They were happy.” Additionally, mixing up verb tenses can lead to confusion. For example, “I will see him yesterday” is incorrect because “yesterday” indicates past tense, so the correct sentence is “I saw him yesterday.”

Here are some examples of common mistakes with verbs and their corrections:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
He don’t like coffee.	He doesn’t like coffee.	Subject-verb agreement (singular subject requires a singular verb)
They was playing football.	They were playing football.	Subject-verb agreement (plural subject requires a plural verb)
I goed to the store yesterday.	I went to the store yesterday.	Incorrect past tense form of an irregular verb
She have finished her homework.	She has finished her homework.	Subject-verb agreement (singular subject requires a singular verb)
We are study English.	We are studying English.	Missing the -ing form for the present continuous tense
He will saw the movie.	He will see the movie.	Modal verbs are followed by the base form of the verb
If I was you, I would study harder.	If I were you, I would study harder.	Use of the subjunctive mood in a hypothetical situation
The book are on the table.	The book is on the table.	Subject-verb agreement (singular subject requires a singular verb)
They is coming to the party.	They are coming to the party.	Subject-verb agreement (plural subject requires a plural verb)
I seen that movie before.	I have seen that movie before.	Incorrect past participle form of an irregular verb

Practice Exercises

To reinforce your understanding of English verbs, here are some practice exercises. These exercises cover various aspects of verb usage, including identifying verb types, conjugating verbs, and using verbs in different tenses and moods.

Complete these exercises to test your knowledge and improve your skills.

Advanced Topics

Once you have a solid understanding of the basics of English verbs, you can explore more advanced topics such as phrasal verbs and gerunds and infinitives. These topics will further enhance your ability to use verbs effectively and express complex ideas.

Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are verbs that are combined with an adverb or a preposition (or both) to create a new meaning. The meaning of a phrasal verb is often different from the meaning of the individual words that make it up.

Phrasal verbs are very common in spoken and informal English.

For example, “look up” (to search for information), “give up” (to stop trying), and “take off” (to remove or to depart). Phrasal verbs can be transitive or intransitive, and some can be separated (the object can go between the verb and the particle) while others cannot. Mastering phrasal verbs requires practice and exposure to different contexts.

Here’s a table with examples of phrasal verbs:

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example Sentence
Look up	Search for information	I need to look up the definition of this word.
Give up	Stop trying	Don’t give up on your dreams.
Take off	Depart or remove	The plane will take off soon. / Please take off your shoes.
Turn on	Activate	Can you turn on the light?
Turn off	Deactivate	Please turn off the TV.
Get up	Rise from bed	I get up at 7 AM every day.
Put on	Wear	I put on my coat before going out.
Take care of	Look after	She takes care of her younger brother.
Find out	Discover	I need to find out more information.
Come across	Encounter	I came across an old friend yesterday.

Gerunds and Infinitives

Gerunds and infinitives are verb forms that function as nouns. A gerund is the “-ing” form of a verb used as a noun. For example, “Swimming is good exercise.” An infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by “to.” For example, “I like to swim.”

Gerunds and infinitives can be used as subjects, objects, or complements in a sentence. Some verbs are followed by gerunds (e.g., enjoy, avoid, consider), while others are followed by infinitives (e.g., want, need, decide).

Some verbs can be followed by either gerunds or infinitives, often with a slight change in meaning.

Here’s a table with examples of gerunds and infinitives:

Verb Form	Example Sentence
Gerund	Swimming is good exercise.
Infinitive	I like to swim.
Gerund	She enjoys reading novels.
Infinitive	He wants to travel to Europe.
Gerund	They avoided going to the party.
Infinitive	We need to study for the exam.
Gerund	Learning English is important.
Infinitive	It is important to learn English.
Gerund	He considered moving to a new city.
Infinitive	She decided to move to a new city.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

Mastering English verbs is essential for effective communication. This guide has provided a comprehensive overview of verb types, usage rules, and common mistakes.

By understanding the different categories of verbs, conjugating them correctly, and applying the rules of subject-verb agreement and verb tenses, you can significantly improve your grammar skills and express yourself more clearly and confidently. Remember to practice regularly and continue exploring advanced topics such as phrasal verbs and gerunds and infinitives to further enhance your proficiency in English.

With dedication and consistent effort, you can achieve fluency and mastery over English verbs.