Most Common English Verbs

(1) To Be

(irregular, to exist or have a specified quality or state of being)

• I want to be a pirate.
• Carla is a talented musician.
• Simon and Jack were happy to see each other.

(2) To Have

(irregular, to possess, own, or hold something)

• I have a new car.
• Joanna has a lot of experience.
• My parents had three children.

(3) To Do

(irregular, to perform an action or carry out a task)

• I need to do my homework.
• They do their best to help others.
• She did a great job on the project.

(4) To Say

(irregular, to articulate or express something verbally)

• Please say your name and address for the record.
• Simon says the Earth is flat.
• She said that she would be late for the meeting.

(5) To Go

(irregular, to move or travel from one place to another)

• I need to go to the grocery store to buy some milk.
• On Saturday, she goes to the park to run.
• They went on a road trip across the country. ("Went" is past tense of "to go.")

(6) To Get

(irregular, to receive, obtain, or acquire something)

• I need to get some rest after a long day at work.
• She gets good grades because she works hard.
• Anne got a pay rise from her boss.

(7) To Make

(irregular, to create, produce, or construct something)

• Your sister wants to make a cakes for you.
• Simon makes wooden bowls as a hobby.
• They made a decision to start their own business.

(8) To Know

(irregular, to have information or awareness about something)

• I don't know the answer to that question.
• He knows everything about crocodiles.
• Simon knew a lot about football.

(9) To Think

(irregular, to have a mental process of considering or pondering)

• I think we should go on vacation this summer.
• She thinks that he's the right person for the job.
• They thought deeply about their decision.

(10) To Take

(irregular, to get hold of or carry something)

• Please take this package to the post office.
• Simon takes his sister to school every morning.
• They took the opportunity to learn a new skill.

(11) To See

(irregular, to perceive with the eyes or comprehend mentally)

• I can see a giraffe by those trees.
• She always sees the answers before I do.
• They saw the logic behind Simon's argument.

(12) To Come

(irregular, to move or travel toward a person, place, or thing)

• Come and join us for dinner tonight.
• Simon comes to the meetings on Saturdays.
• They came to the party dressed as clowns.

(13) To Want

(regular, to have a desire or wish for something)

• I want to buy a new car.
• She wants to travel the world someday.
• They wanted to spend more time with their family.

(14) To Look

(regular, to direct one's gaze or attention towards something)

• Look at that beautiful sunset!
• She looks in the mirror for a long time.
• They looked for their lost keys but couldn't find them.

(15) To Use

(regular, to employ or utilize something for a specific purpose)

• Please use a pencil to fill out the form.
• Simon uses his phone to take photos.
• They used their computer for work and entertainment.

(16) To Find

(irregular, to discover or locate something that was previously unknown or lost)

• I need to find my watch.
• She always finds great restaurants when visiting places.
• They found a solution to their problem.

(17) To Give

(irregular, to transfer possession or deliver something to someone)

• Can you give me a hand with this heavy box?
• She gives her friends expensive birthday presents.
• They gave generously to the charity.

(18) To Tell

(irregular, to communicate or inform someone about something)

• Please tell me what happened.
• Simon tells funny stories about his time abroad.
• They told for hours.

(19) To Work

(regular, to exert effort or perform tasks to achieve a particular goal or result)

• I have to work on a project for school.
• She works as a software developer at a tech company.
• They worked hard to complete the project.

(20) To Call

(regular, to communicate with someone by telephone or give a name to someone or something)

• Please call me when you get home.
• She calls her friends at 2 o'clock in the morning.
• They called their new puppy "Buddy."

(21) To Try

(regular, to make an attempt or effort to do something)

• Try to solve this puzzle.
• She tries her best, and that's all we want.
• They tried a new recipe for dinner.

(22) To Ask

(regular, to inquire or request information or assistance from someone)

• Can I ask you a question?
• She often asks for help.
• They asked the waiter for the menu.

(23) To Need

(regular, to require or have a necessity for something)

• Do you need a break from work?
• She needs to buy groceries for the week.
• They needed more time to complete the project.

(24) To Feel

(irregular, to experience or perceive a sensation or emotion)

• Do you feel happy when you're with your friends?
• She feels a sense of accomplishment after the races.
• They felt the warmth of the fire on their faces.

(25) To Become

(irregular, to undergo a transformation or change in condition or state)

• She wants to become a doctor when she's older.
• Simon becomes a different person during a full moon!
• They became good friends after working on a project together.

(26) To Leave

(irregular, to go away from a place or person)

• Do not leave without saying goodbye.
• She always leaves early to catch the last bus.
• They left the park before the band started.

(27) To Put

(irregular, to place or position something in a particular location or arrangement)

• Put your bag on the table.
• Anne always puts a small surprise for her daughter in the fridge.
• They put all the tables on the road for the party.

(28) To Mean

(irregular, to signify or convey a particular idea, intention, or message)

• What does this word mean?
• "Rich" means happy not wealthy.
• Anne meant to help you not hurt you.

(29) To Keep

(irregular, to have or retain possession of something or continue an action or state)

• Keep the receipt in case you need to return the item.
• Anne keeps chickens for the eggs.
• They kept the secret between the two of them.

(30) To Let

(irregular, to allow or permit someone or something to do something)

• Let me know if you need any help.
• Anne lets her sister borrow her car at weekends.
• They let their children stay up late on weekends.

(31) To Begin

(irregular, to start or commence something)

• Let's begin the meeting after coffee.
• Anne begins her daily commute with a 1-mile walk to the train station.
• They began rebuilding their house last year.

(32) To Seem

(regular, to give the impression or appear to be a certain way)

• Does Anne seem tired to you?
• It seems like a good idea to go to the beach.
• They seemed happy with the proposal.

(33) To Help

(regular, to assist or aid someone in need or provide support)

• Can you help me carry these bags?
• Anne helps her friends study for their music exams.
• They helped clean up the river after the oil spill.

(34) To Talk

(regular, to communicate or have a conversation with someone)

• Let's talk about the issue.
• Anne talks to herself when she's running.
• Whenever they met, they talked about the weather.

(35) To Turn

(regular, to change direction, position, or condition)

• Turn left at the garage.
• Our dog always turns because he wants to go to the cafe.
• The band turned to the audience and blew kisses.

(36) To Start

(regular, to begin or commence an action, process, or event)

• Let's start the meeting with a brief introduction.
• We always start our projects full of good intentions.
• They started their journey early in the morning.

(37) To Show

(regular, to display or exhibit something to others)

• Please show me some identification.
• Anne shows her tattoos to everyone.
• They showed great teamwork during the game.

(38) To Hear

(irregular, to perceive or become aware of sound through the ears)

• Did you hear that noise outside?
• Anne hears voices at night.
• They heard your singing in the next street.

(39) To Play

(regular, to engage in an activity for enjoyment or competition)

• Let's play a game of chess.
• Anne plays the piano beautifully.
• They played football with tennis ball to improve their skills.

(40) To Run

(irregular, to move swiftly on foot)

• Simon needs to run every morning to stay fit.
• Anne always runs home after work.
• They ran the Boston marathon.

(41) To Move

(regular, to change position or location)

• Please move the chair to the other side of the room.
• Anne always moves the ashtray off the table.
• She moved his fishing equipment onto the street.

(42) To Like

(regular, to have a positive or favorable opinion or preference for something)

• Do you like ice cream?
• Anne likes to read books about witches and wizards.
• They liked the beach when it was empty.

(43) To Live

(regular, to exist and have life or reside in a particular place)

• I used to live in a small apartment in the city.
• Anne lives with her family in suburbia.
• They lived near the ocean, which is why they are all great swimmers.

(44) To Believe

(regular, to accept something as true or have faith in something or someone)

• Do you believe in the power of positive thinking?
• Anne believes that hard work leads to success.
• They believed in equality for all, and that drove them.

(45) To Hold

(irregular, to have or keep something firmly or support its weight)

• Hold the fishing rod in your left hand.
• Even now, Anne holds her sister's hand when they cross the street.
• They held each other tightly for an hour.

(46) To Bring

(irregular, to carry or transport something or someone to a place)

• Can you bring me a glass of water, please?
• Anne brings us presents whenever she returns from abroad.
• They brought their dog with them on the holiday.

(47) To Happen

(regular, to occur or take place)

• What will happen at the meeting tomorrow?
• Don't worry about the heckling. It happens every year.
• We do not understand why it happened.

(48) To Write

(irregular, to put words on paper or another surface using a pen, pencil, or keyboard)

• I try to write poetry from the heart.
• Anne regularly writes letters to her grandparents.
• They wrote articles about potions and magic.

(49) To Provide

(regular, to supply or make available something that is needed or required)

• We will provide all the necessary equipment for your journey.
• Anne provides valuable insights during meetings.
• The charity provided food and shelter to the survivors.

(50) To Sit

(irregular, to rest or support the weight of the body on the buttocks and the back of the thighs)

• Please sit down and make yourself comfortable.
• Anne sits at the back of the class to watch the students.
• They always sat at the dining table for family dinners.

(51) To Stand

(irregular, to be in an upright position on the feet)

• Please stand for the national anthems of both teams.
• We all stand during meetings to keep them short.
• They stood together for a group photo.

(52) To Lose

(irregular, to no longer have possession of or be unable to find something)

• Do not lose your keys again.
• Anne loses her phone at least once a day.
• Two of the crew lost their paddles, but they still won the race.

(53) To Pay

(irregular, to give money or something of value in exchange for goods, services, or debts)

• I need to pay the bill before leaving the restaurant.
• She pays her son with chocolate.
• They paid their employees a fair wage.

(54) To Meet

(irregular, to come into the presence or company of someone by chance or arrangement)

• Do you want to meet at the cafe for a chat?
• Anne always meets her sister after school.
• After the briefing, the students met their tutors for the first time.

(55) To Include

(regular, to contain as part of a whole or group)

• Does the package include a set of instructions?
• Anne includes her sister in everything she does.
• They included all the necessary tools with the package.

(56) To Continue

(regular, to persist or carry on an activity without interruption)

• Please continue working on your tasks.
• Anne continues to pursue her passion for painting.
• They continued their journey despite the challenges.

(57) To Set

(irregular, to put or place something in a particular position or location)

• Set the table for dinner.
• Anne sets the alarm clock for 6 a.m. every morning.
• They set a humane trap for the fox.

(58) To Learn

(irregular, to acquire knowledge or skill through study, experience, or teaching)

• I want to learn how to play the piano.
• Anne learns 10 new words every day.
• They learned about finding gold in the sand at the bottom of rivers.

(59) To Change

(regular, to make or become different or alter in some way)

• I need to change my shirt before going out.
• Anne changes her hairstyle every month.
• They changed their plans when the snow came.

(60) To Lead

(irregular, to guide or direct others in a particular direction or course of action)

• Simon wants to lead the team.
• Anne naturally leads the group when we walk.
• Simon led the way with his torch.

(61) To Understand

(irregular, to comprehend or grasp the meaning or significance of something)

• I don't understand what you're trying to say.
• Anne understands the importance of hard work.
• They understood each other from the start.

(62) To Watch

(regular, to observe or look at attentively or carefully)

• Let's watch a movie tonight.
• Anne usually watches the sunset from her balcony.
• They watched the swans build a nest.

(63) To Follow

(regular, to go or come after or behind someone or something)

• Please follow me to the conference room.
• She always follows her brother when he goes outside.
• They followed the path through the forest.

(64) To Stop

(regular, to cease or discontinue an action or movement)

• Please stop talking and listen to me.
• The ballet dancer stops dancing when the music stops .
• The police stopped the car to question the driver.

(65) To Create

(regular, to bring something into existence or produce something new)

• Simon can create beautiful sculptures from stone.
• Anne creates the most beautiful portraits using acrylic paints.
• Jack and Simon created a business plan for their startup.

(66) To Speak

(irregular, to communicate or express thoughts, feelings, or ideas using words)

• Let's speak German to confuse the waiter.
• Anne always speaks passionately about her work.
• The two leaders spoke respectfully to each other.

(67) To Read

(irregular, to look at and comprehend written or printed matter)

• I love to read books about ghosts.
• Anne reads the newspaper every morning to stay updated.
• My children read your article about today's youth, and they disagree with you.

(68) To Allow

(regular, to permit or give permission for something to happen or be done)

• Please allow me to explain why I'm right.
• Anne allows her children to stay up late on weekends.
• The guards allowed him to enter the restricted area.

(69) To Add

(regular, to put something together with something else to increase the size, number, or amount)

• Add sugar to the mix and stir well.
• Anne always adds jalapenos to her pizza.
• The developers added new features to the program.

(70) To Spend

(irregular, to use or devote time, effort, or money for a particular purpose)

• I need to spend my weekends relaxing at home.
• Anne spends a lot of time playing the piano.
• They spent their life savings on a vacation.

(71) To Grow

(irregular, to increase in size, quantity, or intensity over a period of time)

• I want to grow tomatoes and cucumbers.
• Anne grows taller every time I see her.
• They grew their home business into a successful company.

(72) To Open

(regular, to remove a covering or obstruction to make something accessible or available)

• Open the windows and the doors.
• Anne always opens her shop at 6 a.m.
• The brothers opened a new branch of their store every year.

(73) To Walk

(regular, to move on foot by taking steps)

• I need to walk home more often.
• Anne walks her dog in all weather.
• John and Sandra walked across the entire mountain range.

(74) To Win

(irregular, to achieve victory or success in a competition, game, or contest)

• We can win if we start training now.
• Anne wins every competition at the school.
• The boys won because they believed in themselves.

(75) To Offer

(regular, to present or provide something for acceptance or rejection)

• I can offer you some free advice.
• Anne always offers to look after my dog when I go away.
• All the garages offered the same discount on their cars.

(76) To Remember

(regular, to recall or bring to mind past information, experiences, or events)

• Do you remember our trip to Constantinople?
• Anne remembers everything you tell her.
• My parents remembered all the teachers from their school days.

(77) To Love

(regular, to have a deep affection, fondness, or attachment for someone or something)

• You can learn to love him.
• Anne loves to explore new places.
• They loved Bonzo like a member of the family.

(78) To Consider

(regular, to think about or regard someone or something in a particular way)

• You must consider all the options before deciding.
• Anne considers me her best friend.
• My parents considered moving to Australia before moving to Canada.

(79) To Appear

(regular, to come into sight or become visible; to seem)

• The plane will appear from behind that cloud in a minute.
• Anne appears to be happy with the result.
• Two tigers unexpectedly appeared in front of us.

(80) To Buy

(irregular, to acquire or obtain something in exchange for payment)

• I need to buy some flowers before we arrive.
• Anne buys her sister a present every time she returns from abroad.
• I bought these concert tickets over a year ago.

(81) To Wait

(regular, to remain in a particular place or delay an action until a particular time or event)

• Please wait for me in the car park.
• Anne's dog waits by the window for her to return from work.
• They waited for a bus four an hour and then three came at once.

(82) To Serve

(regular, to provide a service or fulfill a duty or role)

• I can serve the potatoes if you like.
• Anne serves as a volunteer at the local shelter.
• The hotel served oysters and Champagne.

(83) To Die

(regular, to cease living or existing; to expire)

• We all want to die peacefully in our sleep, don't we?
• Romeo and Juliet both die at the end of the play.
• Nearly everyone in Pompeii died when the volcano erupted.

(84) To Send

(irregular, to cause to go or be taken to a particular destination)

• Simon can send you the meeting notes afterwards.
• Anne always sends funny images to her work colleagues.
• The government sent a weather warning over the radio.

(85) To Expect

(regular, to regard something as likely to happen)

• I expect to receive a reply soon.
• Anne expects to be promoted at work.
• The farmers expected the results of the soil test to be worse.

(86) To Build

(irregular, to construct or create something)

• Jack wants to build a house on that hill.
• The weaver bird builds an amazing nest.
• The team built a huge sandcastle on the beach.

(87) To Stay

(regular, to remain in a particular place or condition)

• You can stay at my house over the weekend.
• Anne stays with her grandparents at Christmas.
• My mother and I stayed with my auntie for a month.

(88) To Fall

(irregular, to descend freely under the influence of gravity)

• Get down! I don't want you to fall and break your arm again!
• Anne is not good at the beam. She usually falls when she turns.
• When we were in Barbados, the coconuts fell from the tree like bombs.

(89) To Cut

(irregular, to divide or separate something using a sharp tool or object)

• Can you cut the cake into equal slices please, Simon?
• Anne always cuts her sister's hair instead of going to a hairdresser.
• The fishermen cut their nets to free the whale.

(90) To Reach

(regular, to arrive at or get to a particular place or point)

• We can reach the top in an hour.
• Anne reaches the train station by 7 a.m. every morning.
• The lawyers reached a compromise before the trial.

(91) To Kill

(regular, to cause the death of a living organism)

• Simon tried to kill the spider in the bath but Janet saved it.
• Anne always kills her plants by overwatering them.
• She killed her rich husband to get his money.

(92) To Remain

(regular, to continue to exist or be left over after others have gone)

• I want to remain in this country.
• Anne always remains calm during a crisis.
• We remained friends despite our differences in opinion.

(93) To Suggest

(regular, to put forward an idea or proposal for consideration)

• Can I suggest we go to the new pizzeria?
• Anne usually suggests a physical activity for the evenings.
• The fishermen suggested meeting at the town hall to discuss the new permits.

(94) To Raise

(regular, to lift or move something to a higher position)

• Please raise your hand to ask a question.
• Anne often raises a few points after a meeting.
• They raised the flag in the town square to mark the end of the war.

(95) To Pass

(regular, to move past something; to give something; to succeed in a test)

• Can you pass me the butter please?
• Anne passes the bakery every morning and buys two bread rolls.
• I passed the exam, but I did not pass the interview.

(96) To Sell

(irregular, to exchange goods or services for money)

• Simon tried to sell handmade bowls at the local market.
• Anne sells her artwork online.
• They sold organic produce at their farm shop.

(97) To Require

(regular, to need or demand something as necessary)

• Convincing John of a new idea can require a lot of time.
• Anne requires at least eight hours' sleep a night.
• We required your full cooperation but did not receive it.

(98) To Report

(regular, to give an account of something or provide information)

• I want to report the incident to the police.
• Anne reports any concerns to her tutors immediately.
• The group reported the stranded whale to the life guard.

(99) To Decide

(regular, to make a choice or come to a resolution after consideration)

• You can decide which film to watch after dinner.
• Anne decides things quickly and then does them immediately.
• On Tuesday, we decided to postpone the event until next year.

(100) To Pull

(regular, to exert force to bring something towards oneself or in a particular direction)

• Pull the rope to raise the flag.
• Anne never pulls weeds from the garden.
• The firemen pulled the door as hard as they could.