Mastering common English verbs is essential for fluency. Verbs are the backbone of sentences, expressing actions, occurrences, and states of being.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to 100 of the most frequently used verbs in the English language. Understanding these verbs and how to use them correctly will significantly improve your ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and speaking.
This resource is designed for English language learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced students, as well as anyone looking to refresh their grammar skills.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of a Verb
- Structural Breakdown of Verbs
- Types of Verbs
- Examples of Common Verbs
- Usage Rules for Verbs
- Common Mistakes with Verbs
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics in Verb Usage
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition of a Verb
A verb is a word that describes an action, occurrence, or state of being. It is a crucial part of a sentence, as it forms the main part of the predicate. Verbs indicate what the subject of a sentence does or is. Without a verb, a sentence is incomplete.
Verbs can also convey information about time, through different tenses. Tense indicates when the action takes place: past, present, or future. Additionally, verbs can express mood (e.g., indicative, imperative, subjunctive) and voice (active or passive).
Structural Breakdown of Verbs
The structure of a verb can vary depending on its tense, mood, and voice. The basic form of a verb is called the base form or the infinitive without “to” (e.g., go, eat, sleep). This base form is used in the present tense (except for the third-person singular, which adds an “-s” or “-es”).
To form different tenses, verbs are often combined with auxiliary verbs (helping verbs). For example, to form the past continuous tense, we use the auxiliary verb “be” in the past tense (was or were) followed by the present participle of the main verb (verb + “-ing”).
Irregular verbs do not follow the standard patterns for forming past tense and past participle forms, which often requires memorization. Regular verbs simply add “-ed” to the base form to create the past tense and past participle.
Types of Verbs
Action Verbs
Action verbs describe what someone or something does. They express a physical or mental action. Action verbs can be either transitive or intransitive.
Examples: run, jump, write, think, read, speak, listen.
Linking Verbs
Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence to a noun or adjective that describes or identifies the subject. They do not express action but rather a state of being or condition. The most common linking verb is “be” in its various forms (is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been).
Examples: is, are, was, were, seem, become, appear, feel, look, taste, smell, sound.
Auxiliary Verbs
Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs, are used with main verbs to form different tenses, moods, and voices. The most common auxiliary verbs are “be,” “have,” and “do.”
Examples: be (is, am, are, was, were, being, been), have (has, had, having), do (does, did, doing).
Modal Verbs
Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verb that express possibility, necessity, permission, obligation, or ability. They are always followed by the base form of a main verb.
Examples: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would.
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
A transitive verb requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object receives the action of the verb.
Example: She wrote a letter. (letter is the direct object)
An intransitive verb does not require a direct object. It expresses a complete thought on its own.
Example: He sleeps soundly.
Regular and Irregular Verbs
Regular verbs form their past tense and past participle by adding “-ed” or “-d” to the base form.
Example: walk – walked – walked
Irregular verbs do not follow this pattern and have different forms for the past tense and past participle. These must be memorized.
Example: go – went – gone
Examples of Common Verbs
The following tables provide examples of 100 common verbs, along with example sentences illustrating their usage in different contexts. These verbs are categorized alphabetically for easier navigation.
Table 1: Verbs A-D
This table features verbs starting with the letters A through D, each accompanied by several example sentences to illustrate their usage in context.
| Verb | Example Sentences |
|---|---|
| Ask | 1. I need to ask you a question. 2. She asked for help with her homework. 3. They asked him to join their team. |
| Be | 1. I am a student. 2. They are my friends. 3. She is happy. |
| Become | 1. He wants to become a doctor. 2. The weather became colder. 3. She became famous overnight. |
| Begin | 1. Let’s begin the meeting. 2. The movie begins at 7 PM. 3. He began to study for the exam. |
| Believe | 1. I believe in you. 2. Do you believe his story? 3. She believed everything he said. |
| Bring | 1. Please bring your books to class. 2. She brought a cake to the party. 3. Can you bring me some water? |
| Build | 1. They want to build a house. 2. He built a sandcastle on the beach. 3. The company built a new factory. |
| Buy | 1. I want to buy a new car. 2. She bought a dress for the wedding. 3. They bought tickets to the concert. |
| Call | 1. I need to call my mother. 2. She called me yesterday. 3. They called the police. |
| Can | 1. I can swim. 2. She can speak French. 3. They can come to the party. |
| Carry | 1. He carried the box upstairs. 2. She carries a heavy bag every day. 3. Can you carry this for me? |
| Catch | 1. Try to catch the ball. 2. He caught a cold. 3. She caught the bus. |
| Choose | 1. You can choose any flavor you like. 2. She chose the red dress. 3. They chose to stay home. |
| Come | 1. Please come to my house. 2. She came early to the meeting. 3. They come here every summer. |
| Cost | 1. How much does it cost? 2. The book costs ten dollars. 3. The repairs cost a lot of money. |
| Cut | 1. Be careful not to cut yourself. 2. She cut the paper with scissors. 3. He cut the grass. |
| Dance | 1. They love to dance. 2. She danced all night at the party. 3. He dances very well. |
| Do | 1. I need to do my homework. 2. She does her best. 3. They did a great job. |
| Draw | 1. He likes to draw pictures. 2. She drew a beautiful portrait. 3. They draw inspiration from nature. |
| Dream | 1. I often dream about flying. 2. She dreamed of becoming an astronaut. 3. He dreams big. |
Table 2: Verbs E-H
This table features verbs starting with the letters E through H, each accompanied by several example sentences to illustrate their usage in context.
| Verb | Example Sentences |
|---|---|
| Eat | 1. I want to eat pizza. 2. She ate a sandwich for lunch. 3. They eat dinner at 7 PM. |
| Fall | 1. Be careful not to fall. 2. She fell down the stairs. 3. Leaves fall from the trees in autumn. |
| Feel | 1. I feel happy today. 2. She felt sad after the movie. 3. They feel excited about the trip. |
| Find | 1. I need to find my keys. 2. She found her wallet. 3. They found a solution to the problem. |
| Fly | 1. Birds can fly. 2. He flew to Paris last week. 3. She flies a kite in the park. |
| Forget | 1. Don’t forget your umbrella. 2. She forgot my birthday. 3. They forget things easily. |
| Get | 1. I need to get a new job. 2. She got a promotion. 3. They get along well. |
| Give | 1. Please give me the book. 2. She gave him a present. 3. They give to charity. |
| Go | 1. I want to go to the beach. 2. She went to the store. 3. They go to the gym every day. |
| Have | 1. I have a car. 2. She has a cat. 3. They have a house. |
| Hear | 1. I can hear the music. 2. She heard a strange noise. 3. They hear about the news. |
| Help | 1. Can you help me? 2. She helped me with my homework. 3. They help the community. |
| Hold | 1. Please hold my hand. 2. She held the baby carefully. 3. They hold a meeting every week. |
| Hope | 1. I hope you feel better. 2. She hoped to win the lottery. 3. They hope for a better future. |
| Hurt | 1. Be careful not to hurt yourself. 2. She hurt her knee. 3. The news hurt him deeply. |
Table 3: Verbs K-P
This table features verbs starting with the letters K through P, each accompanied by several example sentences to illustrate their usage in context.
| Verb | Example Sentences |
|---|---|
| Keep | 1. Please keep the change. 2. She kept the secret. 3. They keep their promises. |
| Know | 1. I know the answer. 2. She knew him well. 3. They know a lot about history. |
| Learn | 1. I want to learn Spanish. 2. She learned how to play the piano. 3. They learn new things every day. |
| Leave | 1. I have to leave now. 2. She left the house. 3. They leave work at 5 PM. |
| Let | 1. Please let me know. 2. She let him borrow her car. 3. They let the children play outside. |
| Like | 1. I like to read. 2. She likes to dance. 3. They like to travel. |
| Listen | 1. Please listen to me. 2. She listened to the music. 3. They listen to the news every morning. |
| Live | 1. I live in New York. 2. She lives in London. 3. They live in a small town. |
| Look | 1. Look at the picture. 2. She looked happy. 3. They look for a new house. |
| Love | 1. I love you. 2. She loves to sing. 3. They love to travel. |
| Make | 1. I need to make dinner. 2. She made a cake. 3. They make furniture. |
| May | 1. I may go to the party. 2. She may be late. 3. They may come tomorrow. |
| Mean | 1. What does this word mean? 2. She meant well. 3. They mean to help. |
| Meet | 1. I want to meet you. 2. She met him at the party. 3. They meet every week. |
| Must | 1. I must go now. 2. She must study for the exam. 3. They must finish the project. |
| Need | 1. I need help. 2. She needs to study. 3. They need to work. |
| Open | 1. Please open the door. 2. She opened the window. 3. They open the store at 9 AM. |
| Pay | 1. I need to pay the bills. 2. She paid for the groceries. 3. They pay their employees well. |
| Play | 1. I like to play sports. 2. She plays the piano. 3. They play games together. |
| Put | 1. Please put the book on the table. 2. She put on her coat. 3. They put their trust in him. |
Table 4: Verbs R-T
This table features verbs starting with the letters R through T, each accompanied by several example sentences to illustrate their usage in context.
| Verb | Example Sentences |
|---|---|
| Read | 1. I like to read books. 2. She read the newspaper. 3. They read before bed. |
| Run | 1. I run every morning. 2. She ran a marathon. 3. They run a business. |
| Say | 1. What did you say? 2. She said hello. 3. They say it will rain tomorrow. |
| See | 1. I can see the mountains. 2. She saw a movie. 3. They see each other often. |
| Seem | 1. He seems happy. 2. She seemed tired. 3. It seems like a good idea. |
| Sell | 1. They sell cars. 2. He sold his house. 3. She sells handmade jewelry. |
| Send | 1. I need to send a letter. 2. She sent a package. 3. They send their regards. |
| Should | 1. You should study. 2. She should eat healthy. 3. They should arrive on time. |
| Show | 1. Can you show me how to do it? 2. She showed me her new car. 3. They show respect. |
| Sing | 1. She likes to sing. 2. He sang a song. 3. They sing in the choir. |
| Sit | 1. Please sit down. 2. She sat on the chair. 3. They sit together in class. |
| Sleep | 1. I need to sleep. 2. She slept well last night. 3. They sleep late on weekends. |
| Speak | 1. I can speak English. 2. She spoke to the manager. 3. They speak different languages. |
| Spend | 1. I spend time with my family. 2. She spent money on clothes. 3. They spend their vacation abroad. |
| Stand | 1. Please stand up. 2. She stood in line. 3. They stand for their beliefs. |
| Start | 1. Let’s start the game. 2. She started a new job. 3. They start school in September. |
| Study | 1. I need to study for the test. 2. She studied abroad. 3. They study together. |
| Take | 1. I will take the bus. 2. She took a picture. 3. They take turns. |
| Talk | 1. I like to talk to my friends. 2. She talked on the phone. 3. They talk about politics. |
| Tell | 1. Please tell me the truth. 2. She told a story. 3. They tell jokes. |
| Think | 1. I think it will rain. 2. She thought about it. 3. They think it’s a good idea. |
| Try | 1. I will try my best. 2. She tried to open the door. 3. They try new things. |
Table 5: Verbs U-Z
This table features verbs starting with the letters U through Z, each accompanied by several example sentences to illustrate their usage in context.
| Verb | Example Sentences |
|---|---|
| Understand | 1. I understand the lesson. 2. She understood the problem. 3. They understand each other. |
| Use | 1. I use a computer every day. 2. She used a calculator. 3. They use renewable energy. |
| Visit | 1. I want to visit my family. 2. She visited Paris. 3. They visit the museum every year. |
| Wait | 1. Please wait for me. 2. She waited for the bus. 3. They wait patiently. |
| Walk | 1. I walk to school. 2. She walked in the park. 3. They walk their dog. |
| Want | 1. I want a new bike. 2. She wants to travel. 3. They want to buy a house. |
| Watch | 1. I like to watch movies. 2. She watched the sunset. 3. They watch TV. |
| Will | 1. I will help you. 2. She will be there. 3. They will come tomorrow. |
| Win | 1. I hope to win the game. 2. She won the competition. 3. They win every time. |
| Wish | 1. I wish you good luck. 2. She wished for a new car. 3. They wish they could travel more. |
| Work | 1. I work in an office. 2. She worked hard. 3. They work as teachers. |
| Write | 1. I like to write stories. 2. She wrote a letter. 3. They write articles. |
Usage Rules for Verbs
Using verbs correctly is crucial for clear communication. Here are some important usage rules:
- Subject-Verb Agreement: The verb must agree in number with the subject. Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs. Example: He is (singular) vs. They are (plural).
- Tense Consistency: Maintain consistent tense throughout a sentence or paragraph. Avoid unnecessary shifts in tense. Example: Incorrect: I went to the store and I will buy milk. Correct: I went to the store and bought milk.
- Correct Verb Forms: Use the correct form of the verb for the specific tense. Pay attention to irregular verbs. Example: Incorrect: I goed to the store. Correct: I went to the store.
- Active vs. Passive Voice: Choose the appropriate voice based on the emphasis you want to convey. Active voice is generally more direct and clear. Example: Active: The dog chased the ball. Passive: The ball was chased by the dog.
- Use of Modal Verbs: Modal verbs are followed by the base form of the main verb. Example: Incorrect: You should to go. Correct: You should go.
Common Mistakes with Verbs
Here are some common mistakes that English learners make with verbs:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| I goed to the store. | I went to the store. | “Go” is an irregular verb; its past tense is “went.” |
| She don’t like coffee. | She doesn’t like coffee. | The third-person singular requires “doesn’t,” not “don’t.” |
| They was happy. | They were happy. | “Was” is for singular subjects; “were” is for plural subjects. |
| I can to swim. | I can swim. | Modal verbs are followed by the base form of the verb, without “to.” |
| He is study English. | He is studying English. | The present continuous tense requires the “-ing” form of the verb. |
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Subject-Verb Agreement
Choose the correct verb form to complete each sentence.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. She (go/goes) to school every day. | goes |
| 2. They (is/are) playing in the park. | are |
| 3. I (am/is) a student. | am |
| 4. He (have/has) a car. | has |
| 5. We (like/likes) to travel. | like |
| 6. The dog (bark/barks) loudly. | barks |
| 7. My friends (come/comes) over on Fridays. | come |
| 8. The cat (sleep/sleeps) all day. | sleeps |
| 9. You (are/is) my best friend. | are |
| 10. It (rain/rains) a lot here. | rains |
Exercise 2: Correct Tense
Fill in the blank with the correct tense of the verb in parentheses.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. I (go) to the store yesterday. | went |
| 2. She (study) English now. | is studying |
| 3. They (arrive) tomorrow. | will arrive |
| 4. He (finish) his homework already. | has finished |
| 5. We (watch) a movie last night. | watched |
| 6. I (visit) Paris next year. | will visit |
| 7. She (live) here for five years. | has lived |
| 8. They (play) soccer every Sunday. | play |
| 9. He (eat) breakfast this morning. | ate |
| 10. We (travel) to Italy next month. | are traveling |
Exercise 3: Identify the Verb Type
Identify whether the verb in each sentence is an action, linking, or auxiliary verb.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. She is a teacher. | linking |
| 2. They are playing soccer. | auxiliary |
| 3. He runs every morning. | action |
| 4. I feel happy today. | linking |
| 5. We have finished our work. | auxiliary |
| 6. She sings beautifully. | action |
| 7. They were tired. | linking |
| 8. I do my homework. | action |
| 9. He is studying hard. | auxiliary |
| 10. She seems sad. | linking |
Advanced Topics in Verb Usage
For advanced learners, understanding more complex verb-related topics can enhance their fluency and accuracy:
- Subjunctive Mood: Expresses wishes, suggestions, or hypothetical situations. Example: I suggest that he be on time.
- Causative Verbs: Indicate that someone causes another person to do something. Example: I made him clean his room.
- Phrasal Verbs: Combinations of verbs and prepositions or adverbs, often with idiomatic meanings. Example: Look up, give up, take off
- Infinitive and Gerund Phrases: Understanding when to use infinitives (to + verb)
and gerunds (verb + -ing) as nouns. Example: I enjoy reading (gerund). I need to study (infinitive).
- Conditional Sentences: Using different verb tenses to express hypothetical situations and their consequences. Example: If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a transitive and an intransitive verb?
A transitive verb takes a direct object, while an intransitive verb does not. For example, “She reads a book” (transitive) versus “He sleeps” (intransitive).
How can I improve my verb conjugation skills?
Practice regularly with verb conjugation charts and exercises. Pay special attention to irregular verbs, as they do not follow standard patterns.
Use online resources and language learning apps to reinforce your knowledge.
What are auxiliary verbs and how are they used?
Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs, are used with main verbs to form different tenses, moods, and voices. The most common auxiliary verbs are “be,” “have,” and “do.” They help to provide additional information about time and aspect.
For example, “I am studying” (present continuous) uses “am” as an auxiliary verb.
What is the difference between the present simple and present continuous tenses?
The present simple tense is used for habitual actions, general truths, and facts. The present continuous tense is used for actions happening now or around now, and for temporary situations.
For example, “I eat breakfast every day” (present simple) versus “I am eating breakfast now” (present continuous).
How do I know when to use the past simple versus the present perfect tense?
Use the past simple tense for completed actions in the past, with a specific time reference. Use the present perfect tense for actions that started in the past and continue to the present, or for past actions that have a relevance to the present.
For example, “I visited Paris last year” (past simple) versus “I have visited Paris” (present perfect).
Conclusion
Mastering common English verbs is a fundamental step towards achieving fluency and confidence in the language. By understanding the different types of verbs, their usage rules, and common mistakes to avoid, you can significantly improve your ability to communicate effectively.
Continue practicing with the examples and exercises provided in this article, and explore more advanced topics as you progress. With dedication and consistent effort, you will enhance your verb usage skills and become a more proficient English speaker and writer.