In this course, you will learn the 200 most used verbs in English. We will also review important concepts such as verb forms, state and action verbs, and transitive and intransitive verbs.
The list of 200 most useful English verbs
English verbs starting with A
Verb
Explanation
Audio
accept
Agree to receive or take something.
acquire
To get something.
add
Put something together with another thing.
admire
Look up to or respect someone or something.
admit
Confess or agree that something is true.
afford
Have enough money or resources to buy something.
agree
Share the same opinion or decide together.
allow
To let something happen.
answer
Respond to a question.
apologise
Say sorry for something wrong.
appear
Become visible or seem to be.
ask
Request information or help.
avoid
Stay away from or keep out of something.
Sentence
Audio
I will gladly accept the job offer if the salary meets my expectations.
He was able to acquire all the necessary skills for the job through years of hard work and dedication.
He decided to add some sugar to his coffee to make it sweeter.
I admire my sister’s determination to succeed in her studies.
The teacher admitted that she had made a mistake in grading the students’ tests.
She couldn’t afford to buy a new car, so she decided to save money and buy a used one instead.
I agree with my Sofia’s suggestion to go to the movies tonight.
My parents allow me to stay out late on weekends.
Please answer the question on the exam.
I had to apologise to my friend for being late to our meeting.
She appeared at the party wearing a beautiful dress.
He asked his teacher for help with his homework.
I always avoid eating spicy food because it upsets my stomach.
English verbs starting with B
Verb
Explanation
Audio
be *
Exist or have a certain quality.
beat *
Hit repeatedly; win against someone.
become *
Change into or start being something.
begin *
Start something.
behave
Act in a particular way.
believe
Accept something as true or have faith in something.
belong
Be a part of something or be in the right place.
bend *
To make something curve or change its shape.
bet *
Risk money or something valuable on the outcome of a game or event.
block
Prevent movement or progress by putting something in the way.
book
Reserve or arrange for something in advance, like a ticket.
borrow
Take and use something belonging to someone else.
break *
Separate into pieces or damage something.
bring *
Carry something to a place or person.
broadcast *
Send out a program through television, radio, or the internet.
build *
Construct or make something by putting parts together.
burn *
Destroy something or be damaged by fire or heat.
buy *
Purchase something by paying money.
Sentence
Audio
She wants to be a doctor when she grows up.
She practiced for hours every day in order to beat her opponent in the tennis match.
She worked hard and eventually became a doctor.
He began his presentation with a brief introduction.
The children were told to behave during the school assembly.
I believe that she will pass the exam because she studied really hard.
She felt like she didn’t belong in the new school because she didn’t know anyone.
He had to bend down to pick up the pencil that had rolled under the table.
I bet that it will rain tomorrow.
The player managed to block the opponent’s shot and prevent them from scoring a goal.
I need to book a hotel room for my upcoming trip.
I need to borrow a pen from my classmate because I forgot to bring mine.
He accidentally broke the vase when he dropped it.
Please bring your passport with you to the airport.
The radio station will broadcast the news at 6 pm.
He plans to build a new house on the empty lot.
She accidentally burned her hand on the hot stove.
I need to buy some groceries from the supermarket.
English verbs starting with C
Verb
Explanation
Audio
call
Contact someone by phone or shout to get their attention.
cancel
Stop something that was planned.
carry
Move something from one place to another.
catch *
Grab or take hold of something in motion.
change
Make something different or replace it with another.
check
Examine something to make sure it’s correct.
choose *
Pick one option from several possibilities.
come *
Move towards a place or person.
come back *
Return to a place or person.
concern
Worry or care about something important.
confirm
Duplicate something.
consider
Think carefully about something before making a decision.
contact
Communicate with someone.
continue
Keep doing something without stopping.
convince
Persuade someone to believe or do something.
cook
Prepare food by heating it.
copy
Make a duplicate of something.
correct
Fix a mistake or make something right.
cost *
Require payment of a certain amount of money.
cover
Place something over or on top of something else.
create
Make something new or original.
cut *
Use something sharp to divide something.
Sentence
Audio
Please call me when you arrive at the airport.
I had to cancel my flight because of bad weather.
She struggled to carry all of her groceries up the stairs.
She tried to catch the ball, but it slipped through her fingers.
She decided to change her hair color from blonde to brunette.
Please check your email for the meeting details.
I need to choose a dress for the party tonight.
She asked him to come to her birthday party.
I left my phone at home, so I need to come back and get it.
I am concerned about my friend’s health because she has been coughing a lot lately.
I called the airline to confirm my flight reservation.
She carefully considered all of her options before making a decision.
Please make sure to contact me if you have any questions.
She decided to continue her studies and pursue a higher degree.
I tried to convince my friend to come to the party with me, but she was not interested.
I love to cook dinner for my family every night.
She copied the text from the book onto her notebook.
She corrected her spelling mistakes before submitting the essay.
The new car cost me a lot of money.
She used a blanket to cover herself from the cold.
He used his artistic skills to create a beautiful painting.
I need to cut the paper into smaller pieces.
English verbs starting with D
Verb
Explanation
Audio
dance
Move rhythmically to music, usually following a pattern of steps.
decide
Make a choice or come to a conclusion about something.
delay
Postpone or make something happen later than planned.
deliver
Bring and hand over something to someone, like a package or message.
die
Stop living or end life.
disappoint
Fail to meet someone’s expectations or hopes.
do *
Perform an action or task.
doubt
Feel uncertain or lack confidence in something.
Sentence
Audio
She loves to dance and often takes dance classes.
After much thought and consideration, she finally decided to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor.
The flight was delayed due to bad weather.
The mail carrier will deliver the package to your doorstep tomorrow.
After being diagnosed with a terminal illness, he knew he would soon die.
I was disappointed when my favorite team lost the game.
I need to do my homework before I can go out with my friends.
I doubt that he will be able to finish the project on time.
English verbs starting with E
Verb
Explanation
Audio
earn
Receive money or a reward for work or effort.
expect
Believe that something will happen or anticipate something.
Sentence
Audio
She works hard every day to earn enough money to support her family.
I expect to receive my exam results tomorrow.
English verbs starting with F
Verb
Move through the air, typically with wings or by aeroplane.
Audio
fall *
Drop down from a higher place to a lower one.
fear
Feel afraid or worried about something.
feel *
Experience a physical sensation or emotion.
find *
Discover or come across something.
fly *
To move through the air, typically with wings or by aeroplane.
follow
Go after or move behind someone or something.
forbid *
Officially tell someone that they cannot do something.
forecast *
Predict what will happen, especially with the weather.
forget *
Fail to remember something.
forgive *
Stop feeling angry or resentful towards someone for a mistake.
freeze *
Turn into ice or become very cold.
Sentence
Audio
I watched the leaves fall from the trees in autumn.
She feared that she would fail the exam.
I feel happy when I spend time with my friends.
I need to find my keys before I can leave the house.
I want to fly to Paris for my vacation.
He decided to follow her dreams and pursue a career in acting.
My parents forbid me from going out late at night.
The meteorologist forecasted rain for tomorrow.
I always forget to bring my umbrella when it’s raining.
After many years, she was finally able to forgive her ex-husband for his past mistakes.
I always freeze my leftovers so that I can eat them later.
English verbs starting with G
Verb
Explanation
Audio
gather
Collect things or bring people together in one place.
get *
Obtain, receive, or reach something.
give *
Provide or hand something to someone else.
give back *
Return something to the person who gave it to you.
go *
Move from one place to another.
grow *
Increase in size or develop over time.
Sentence
Audio
Please gather all the necessary documents for the meeting.
I need to get some groceries from the store.
Can you please give me your phone number?
Please give back the book you borrowed from the library.
I need to go to the grocery store to buy some food.
She planted seeds in her garden and watched them grow into beautiful trees.
English verbs starting with H
Verb
Explanation
Audio
hang *
Suspend something from a higher place so it dangles.
happen
Take place or occur.
hate
Strongly dislike something or someone.
have *
Possess or own something.
hear *
Perceive sound with your ears.
help
Assist someone in doing something.
highlight
Emphasize something important or mark it for attention.
hit *
Strike something forcefully.
hold *
Grasp, carry, or keep something in your hands.
hope
Desire for something to happen or be true.
hurt *
Cause pain or injury to someone or something.
Sentence
Audio
I need to hang my coat up in the closet.
I was walking down the street when I saw a car accident happen.
I hate it when people talk loudly in the library.
I have a brother and a sister.
I can hear the sound of birds chirping outside my window.
Can you help me carry these bags?
She used a yellow marker to highlight the important information in the textbook.
He hit the ball with a bat.
Please hold my hand while we cross the street.
I hope that it doesn’t rain tomorrow so we can have a picnic in the park.
She hurt her ankle while playing soccer.
English verbs starting with I
Verb
Explanation
Audio
ignore
Pay no attention to something or someone.
implement
Put a plan or decision into effect.
impress
Make someone feel admiration or respect.
include
Make something or someone part of a group or whole.
intend
Plan or aim to do something.
involve
Include someone or something as a necessary part.
iron
Smooth out wrinkles in clothes using a heated tool.
Sentence
Audio
He tried to ignore the noise outside and focus on the TV show.
The company plans to implement new software to improve efficiency.
She was able to impress the hiring manager with her extensive knowledge and experience.
The package includes a variety of different snacks.
She intends to study abroad next year.
The teacher involved all the students in the group activity.
She needs to iron her clothes before going to the party.
English verbs starting with K
Verb
Explanation
Audio
keep *
Retain possession of something or continue doing something.
kill
Cause the death of someone or something.
kiss
Touch someone with your lips as a sign of love or affection.
know *
Have knowledge or awareness of something.
Sentence
Audio
Please keep the noise down, I’m trying to study.
The hunter aimed his rifle and killed the deer.
He leaned in and kissed her softly on the cheek.
I know how to play the piano.
English verbs starting with L
Verb
Explanation
Audio
lead *
Guide or direct a group or activity.
learn *
Gain knowledge or skills through study or experience.
leave *
Go away from a place or situation.
let *
Allow someone to do something.
light *
Make something bright or start a fire.
like
Be fond of someone or something.
live
Be alive or reside in a place.
load
Put a large amount of something into a vehicle or container.
look
Direct your eyes toward something.
lose *
Fail to keep something or suffer a defeat.
love
Feel deep affection to someone or something.
Sentence
Audio
She was chosen to lead the team in the upcoming competition.
She wants to learn how to play the piano.
I need to leave the office early today to attend a doctor’s appointment.
Let me know if you need any help.
She used a match to light the candle.
I like to eat pizza for dinner.
I live in a small apartment in the city.
Please load the dishwasher with dirty dishes.
He looked out the window to see if it was raining.
I don’t want to lose my keys again.
She loves to spend time with her family.
English verbs starting with M
Verb
Explanation
Audio
make *
Create or produce something.
mean *
Intend to express or convey something.
meet *
Come into the presence of someone.
move
Change position or location.
Sentence
Audio
She is going to make a cake for her sister’s birthday.
What do you mean by “I can’t come to the party”?
I am going to meet my friend for lunch tomorrow.
She decided to move to a different city to pursue her career.
English verbs starting with N
Verb
Explanation
Audio
need
Require something essential.
Sentence
Audio
I need to buy groceries for dinner tonight.
English verbs starting with O
Verb
Explanation
Audio
offer
Present something for someone to accept or reject.
open
Make something accessible or not closed.
overcome *
Succeed in dealing with a problem or difficulty.
Sentence
Audio
She offered to help me carry my bags.
He used a key to open the door.
She was able to overcome her fear of public speaking and deliver a confident presentation.
English verbs starting with P
Verb
Explanation
Audio
pass
Move past or go beyond something.
paste
Stick or place something onto a surface.
pay *
Give money in exchange for goods or services.
play
Engage in an activity for enjoyment or fun.
promise
Assure someone that something will or won’t happen.
provide
Supply or give something that is needed.
put
Move or place something in a particular position.
push *
Apply force to move something away or forward.
Sentence
Audio
He studied hard and was able to pass his math exam.
She carefully pasted the pictures into her scrapbook.
I need to pay my rent by the end of the month.
I love to play soccer with my friends every weekend.
I promise to study hard and get good grades.
The teacher will provide the students with all the necessary materials for the science experiment.
She put the book on the shelf.
She pushed the door open with her shoulder.
English verbs starting with Q
Verb
Explanation
Audio
quit *
Stop doing something or leave a place.
Verb
Audio
I decided to quit my job and pursue my passion for painting.
English verbs starting with R
Verb
Explanation
Audio
raise
Lift something to a higher position.
reach
Stretch out to touch or get something.
read *
Look at and understand written or printed material.
remain
Stay in the same place or condition.
remember
Recall or keep something in your mind.
report
Give information about something.
request
Ask for something formally.
require
Need something as necessary.
reward
Give something in recognition of effort or achievement.
ring *
Produce a sound like a bell; a small circular band.
rise *
Move upward or increase.
run *
Move quickly on your feet.
Sentence
Audio
She raised her hand to ask a question in class.
She stretched her arm as far as she could to reach the book on the top shelf.
I like to read books before going to bed.
Despite the storm, the students remained calm and continued with their exam.
I have a hard time remembering people’s names when I meet them for the first time.
She called the police to report the car accident.
I need to request a day off from work for a doctor’s appointment.
I require a minimum of five years of experience for this job position.
The teacher rewarded the students with stickers for their hard work.
I heard the phone ring in the other room.
The sun will rise in the east tomorrow morning.
He runs every morning to stay fit.
English verbs starting with S
Verb
Explanation
Audio
say *
Express words or thoughts aloud.
see *
Perceive with the eyes; understand.
seem
Learn about a subject by reading or practising.
sell *
Exchange something for money.
send *
Cause something to go or be taken to a destination.
serve
Provide food, drink, or a service.
set *
Put something in a particular place or position.
shake *
Move something up and down or side to side quickly.
show *
Display or present something.
sit *
Be in a seated position.
speak *
Talk or communicate verbally.
spend *
Use money or time for something.
spit *
Eject saliva or liquid from the mouth.
spoil *
Damage or ruin something.
spread *
Extend over a large area.
stand *
Be in an upright position on your feet.
start
Begin something.
stay
Remain in a place or condition.
stink *
Emit a strong, unpleasant smell.
stop
Cease movement or action.
strike *
Hit something with force.
strive *
Make a great effort to achieve something.
study
Learn about a subject by reading or practicing.
submit
Present something for consideration or approval.
succeed
Achieve a desired aim or result.
suffer
Experience pain or distress.
suggest
Propose an idea or plan.
supply
Provide something that is needed.
support
Give assistance or encouragement.
survive
Continue to live or exist despite difficulties.
swear *
Use offensive or strong language; make a serious promise.
sweat *
Excrete moisture through the skin, usually from heat.
sweep *
Clean a surface by brushing away dirt.
swim *
Move through water by moving arms and legs.
Sentence
Audio
She said she would be here at 6 o’clock.
I can’t see the movie screen because the person in front of me is blocking my view.
The new student seems shy, but once you get to know them, they are very friendly.
He decided to sell his old car and buy a new one.
He sent a letter to his friend.
The waiter served the customers their meals.
He set the table for dinner.
I always shake my protein shake before drinking it to make sure it’s well mixed.
Can you show me how to tie a knot?
Please sit down and make yourself comfortable.
He speaks English fluently.
I like to spend my weekends exploring new hiking trails.
He spat out the watermelon seeds.
My mom always spoils me with gifts on my birthday.
He spread butter on his toast.
He stood up and walked to the front of the room to give his presentation.
She started running as soon as she heard the gunshot.
I decided to stay at home and relax instead of going out with my friends.
The garbage in the bin started to stink after sitting in the sun all day.
Please stop talking during the movie.
He decided to strike up a conversation with the stranger sitting next to him on the bus.
She strives to be the best student in her class by studying hard and participating actively in class discussions.
She spends hours every day studying for her exams.
Please submit your completed application by the deadline.
After years of hard work and dedication, she finally succeeded in passing her medical exams and became a doctor.
She suffered from a severe headache all day.
I suggest that we go to the park for a picnic.
The store will supply all the necessary equipment for the camping trip.
I always support my friends by attending their performances and cheering them on.
During the pandemic, many small businesses struggled to survive due to the decrease in customers.
I swear to always tell the truth.
After running a marathon, I was sweating profusely.
He swept the floor clean before the guests arrived.
I love to swim in the ocean during the summer.
English verbs starting with T
Verb
Explanation
Audio
take *
Acquire or get possession of something.
talk
Converse or speak with others.
teach *
Impart knowledge or skills to someone.
tear *
Rip or destroy by pulling apart.
tell *
Communicate information or a story to someone.
thank
Express gratitude.
think *
Use the mind to form ideas or opinions.
throw *
Propel something through the air by a sudden movement.
trust
Rely on the integrity or ability of someone or something.
try
Make an effort to do something.
turn
Change direction or position.
Sentence
Audio
Can you please take out the trash?
She loves to talk to her friends on the phone for hours.
The teacher will teach us how to solve math problems.
She accidentally tore her dress while trying to squeeze through the narrow doorway.
She told me that she was going to the store.
I want to thank my parents for always supporting me.
I need some time to think about your proposal before giving you an answer.
He threw the ball to his friend.
I trust my best friend with my deepest secrets.
He decided to try a new recipe for dinner tonight.
He turned the key in the lock to open the door.
English verbs starting with U
Verb
Explanation
Audio
understand *
Comprehend or grasp the meaning of something.
use
Employ something for a purpose or function.
Sentence
Audio
I can’t understand what you’re saying because you’re speaking too fast.
She uses her phone to send messages.
English verbs starting with W
Verb
Explanation
Audio
wait
Stay in one place until something happens or someone arrives.
walk
Move by putting one foot in front of the other.
want
Desire or wish for something.
wash
Clean something with water and often soap.
watch
Look at something for some time.
wet *
Make something moist or damp.
win *
Be successful in a contest or competition.
withdraw *
Remove or take out something, often from a place.
witness
See an event happen or provide evidence about it.
work
Perform tasks or duties, often for money.
write *
Produce text on a surface using a pen, pencil, or keyboard.
Sentence
Audio
I had to wait in line for 30 minutes before I could buy my movie ticket.
He walks to school every morning.
I want to go to the beach this weekend.
I need to wash my hands before eating.
I like to watch movies on the weekends.
I accidentally spilled water on my shirt and now it’s all wet.
She trained hard for months and finally won the marathon.
She decided to withdraw her application for the job because she found a better opportunity.
I witnessed the car accident and immediately called for help.
I need to work on my presentation for tomorrow’s meeting.
Please write your name on the top of the paper.
Remarks
Verbs followed by an asterisk (*) are irregular verbs. They have special endings. Example:go (went), have (had), do (did).
Do you have doubts about how to conjugate certain verbs? Check out our conjugation tables for assistance
What is a Verb?
In English, a verb is a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence. For example, to run is an action verb and to agree is a state verb.
Verbs are a crucial part of the basic vocabulary in English. They are essential for forming sentences and describing your surroundings. Verbs also help you express time (past, present, future) through different conjugation tenses.
Verb Forms in English
In English, verbs can appear in 6 main forms:
Verb Base Form,also called bare infinitive: This is the simplest form of the verb.
Infinitive: The base form preceded by the preposition to.
Present participle,also called the -ing form: This form is used to create continuous tenses.
Past participle: This is the form used to form perfect tenses.
Past tense, also called past simple: This form is similar to the preterite and is used to talk about past actions.
Present, 3rd person singular: This is the present tense form conjugated with an -s.
Examples :
Forms
English Verb
Example sentences
Base verb
clean
I must clean it.
Infinitive
to clean
You have to clean your room.
Present participle
cleaning
They’re cleaning the wall.
Past participle
cleaned
We have cleaned the bathroom.
Past tense
cleaned
She cleaned it.
Present, 3rd person singular
cleans
She cleans her shoes.
State and Action Verbs
Stative verbs describe a state or condition rather than an action. They usually are not used in continuous tenses (-ing forms). Stative verbs can be divided into four categories: emotion, possession, sense, and thought.
To be is the most common stative verb, but there are many others. Here is a summary list:
Verb
Example sentence
Type
To agree
I agree with your opinion.
Emotion
To like
She likes chocolate.
Emotion
To love
They love their new house.
Emotion
To hate
He hates waiting in long lines.
Emotion
To prefer
I prefer tea over coffee.
Emotion
To have
She has a car.
Possession
To want
They want a new phone.
Possession
To lack
He lacks experience in this field.
Possession
To own
We own a small business.
Possession
To belong
This book belongs to her.
Possession
To hear
I can hear the birds singing.
Sense
To see
She can see the mountains from here.
Sense
To seem
It seems like it’s going to rain.
Sense
To smell
The flowers smell wonderful.
Sense
To taste
This soup tastes delicious.
Sense
To mean
What do you mean by that?
Thought
To know
I know the answer to the question.
Thought
To believe
He believes in hard work.
Thought
To remember
I remember meeting her before.
Thought
To forget
She forgot to call me back.
Thought
To think
They think the movie is great.
Thought
Some verbs can be both stative and action verbs, depending on how they are used:
State: He thought he was right. (Here, thought describes his state of mind.)
Action:He was thinking about her. (Here, thinking describes the action he was performing.)
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
In English, verbs can be transitive or intransitive based on whether they require an object to complete their meaning.
Transitive Verbs need an object (direct or indirect) to have meaning because they describe an action performed on someone or something. For example: She reads a book. (Book is the object.)
Intransitive Verbs, on the contrary, do not need an object; they are complete by themselves. For example: He sleeps. (No object needed.)
Some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive, depending on how they are used.
Examples :
Type of verb
Verb
Example sentence
Transitive
to ask
They asked a question.
Transitive
to love
She loves dogs.
Intransitive
to swim
I swam yesterday.
Intransitive
to sit
May I sit?
Transitive and intransitive
to open
The students opened the door.
Transitive and intransitive
to open
The door opened.
Exercises
Exercise 1
Complete the sentences with the appropriate English verb (verb base or infinitive).
She always _____ my secrets. (keep)
Can you _____ this for me? (to do)
I need to _____ to the store now. (go)
He must _____ this book in one day. (read)
They _____ this TV show every day. (look)
He always _____ his homework before going to play football. (finish)
She needs to _____ a new dress for the party. (buy)
I will _____ my friend at the park. (meet)
They want to _____ their vacation in Spain. (pass)
He never _____ to music while studying. (listen)
Number
English sentence
1
She always keeps my secrets.
2
Can you do this for me?
3
I need to go to the store now.
4
He must read this book in one day.
5
They watch this TV show every day.
6
He always finished his homework before going playing football.
7
She needs to buy a new dress for the party.
8
I will meet my friend at the park.
9
They want to spend their vacation in Spain.
10
He never listens to music while studying.
Exercise 2
From the two options, choose the one that best suits you to complete the sentences.
I _____ a letter to my friend. (send/smell)
They _____ a new car last week. (build/buy)
She _____ her keys in the room. (live/leave)
I _____ my breakfast early in the morning. (hit/eat)
They _____ to the concert last night. (go/bow)
He _____ a lot of money in the casino. (lose/reward)
