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Common Verbs in English: A Comprehensive List for English Learners

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Verbs are an essential part of the English language. They are the words that express action, occurrence, or state of being. Without verbs, sentences would be incomplete and meaningless. In this article, we will explore the most common verbs in English and their usage.

Learning common English verbs is crucial for anyone who wants to speak English fluently. It is estimated that there are over 1 million words in the English language, but only a few hundred of them are used frequently. By mastering the most common verbs, you can communicate effectively and express yourself clearly. We will provide you with a list of the most commonly used verbs in English, along with their meanings and examples of how to use them in sentences.

Understanding Verbs in English

Verbs are an essential part of the English language. They are words that describe an action, occurrence or state of being. Verbs are used in various tenses, and their forms change depending on the subject, time and other ideas we want to express.

What are Verbs?

A verb is a word that represents an action, occurrence or state of being. It is the main part of a sentence or clause, and it shows what the subject is doing or feeling. Verbs can be external, such as run, jump, work, or internal, such as love, think, consider. Without verbs, we cannot do anything, feel anything, or even exist.

List of Verbs: Learn Common Verbs in English with ESL Pictures!

Verb Definition

A verb is defined as a word that expresses an action, occurrence or state of being. It is one of the eight parts of speech in English grammar. Verbs can be used in different tenses, such as present, past and future, and their forms change depending on the subject, time and other ideas we want to express.

Base Form of Verbs

The base form of a verb is the simplest form of the verb. It is also known as the infinitive form and is used without any tense or subject. For example, the base form of the verb “to be” is “be,” and the base form of the verb “to run” is “run.”

Third Person Singular Verbs

Third person singular verbs are used when the subject of a sentence is singular and in the third person, such as “he,” “she,” or “it.” The third person singular form of a verb is different from the base form and is usually formed by adding an “s” or “es” to the end of the verb. For example, the third person singular form of the verb “to run” is “runs,” and the third person singular form of the verb “to be” is “is.”

Verbs List

Here is a list of some common verbs in English:

  • run
  • jump
  • work
  • love
  • think
  • consider
  • eat
  • sleep
  • talk
  • walk

Conclusion

In this section, we have covered the basics of understanding verbs in English. We have defined what verbs are, explained their different forms, and provided a list of common verbs. Understanding verbs is essential for effective communication in English, and with practice, you can become proficient in using them correctly.

List of Verbs: Learn Common Verbs in English with ESL Pictures!

Types of Verbs

When it comes to learning English, understanding the different types of verbs is crucial. Verbs are words that describe an action or state of being. There are several types of verbs in English, each with its own unique characteristics.

Action Verbs

Action verbs are perhaps the most common type of verb. They describe an action that is taking place or has taken place. Examples of action verbs include “run,” “jump,” “eat,” and “write.” These verbs can be used in both the present and past tense.

Linking Verbs

Linking verbs, also known as copular verbs, connect the subject of a sentence to a noun or adjective that describes it. Examples of linking verbs include “be,” “seem,” and “appear.” These verbs are often used to describe a state of being or condition.

Helping Verbs

Helping verbs, also known as auxiliary verbs, are used to form verb tenses, questions, and negative statements. Examples of helping verbs include “am,” “is,” “are,” “was,” “were,” “have,” “has,” “had,” “do,” “does,” and “did.”

Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are used to express ability, possibility, permission, or obligation. Examples of modal verbs include “can,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “must,” “shall,” “should,” “will,” and “would.”

Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

Transitive verbs are action verbs that require a direct object to complete their meaning. In contrast, intransitive verbs do not require a direct object. For example, “She ate an apple” (transitive) versus “She slept” (intransitive).

Regular and Irregular Verbs

Regular verbs form their past tense by adding “-ed” to the base form of the verb. Irregular verbs, on the other hand, do not follow this pattern and have unique past tense forms. For example, “walk” (regular) versus “go” (irregular).

Stative and Dynamic Verbs

Stative verbs describe a state of being or condition, while dynamic verbs describe an action or process. Examples of stative verbs include “love,” “hate,” and “believe,” while examples of dynamic verbs include “run,” “swim,” and “dance.”

In summary, understanding the different types of verbs is essential for learning English. By mastering these types of verbs, you can improve your ability to communicate effectively and accurately in both spoken and written English.

List of Verbs: Learn Common Verbs in English with ESL Pictures!

Verb Conjugation

Verbs are an essential part of the English language. They are used to describe actions, states, and events. However, to use verbs correctly in a sentence, you need to know how to conjugate them. Conjugation refers to the changes that verbs undergo to reflect tense, person, and number.

Present Tense

The present tense is used to describe actions that are happening now or regularly. In English, the present tense is usually formed by adding an -s or -es to the base form of the verb for the third person singular (he, she, it).

Here are some examples of present tense conjugation for the verb “to walk”:

Person Conjugation
I walk
You walk
He/She/It walks
We walk
You (plural) walk
They walk

Past Tense

The past tense is used to describe actions that have already happened. In English, the past tense is usually formed by adding -ed to the base form of the verb. However, there are many irregular verbs that have different past tense forms.

Here are some examples of past tense conjugation for the verb “to walk”:

Person Conjugation
I walked
You walked
He/She/It walked
We walked
You (plural) walked
They walked

Present Participle

The present participle is used to describe actions that are happening now or continuously. In English, the present participle is usually formed by adding -ing to the base form of the verb.

Here are some examples of present participle conjugation for the verb “to walk”:

Person Conjugation
I walking
You walking
He/She/It walking
We walking
You (plural) walking
They walking

Past Participle

The past participle is used to describe actions that have already happened. In English, the past participle is usually formed by adding -ed to the base form of the verb. However, there are many irregular verbs that have different past participle forms.

Here are some examples of past participle conjugation for the verb “to walk”:

Person Conjugation
I walked
You walked
He/She/It walked
We walked
You (plural) walked
They walked

In conclusion, understanding verb conjugation is essential for using verbs correctly in English. By knowing how to conjugate verbs, you can use them to describe actions, states, and events accurately.

Verbs and Sentence Structure

When it comes to constructing sentences in English, verbs play a crucial role in determining the structure and meaning of the sentence. In this section, we will explore the relationship between verbs and sentence structure, focusing on direct and indirect objects, verb phrases, and predicates.

Direct and Indirect Objects

A direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb. In other words, it is the thing or person that the verb is acting upon. For example, in the sentence “John ate the pizza,” the direct object is “pizza.” An indirect object, on the other hand, is a noun or pronoun that indicates to or for whom or what the action of the verb is performed. For example, in the sentence “John gave Mary the book,” “Mary” is the indirect object.

Verb Phrases

A verb phrase is a group of words that function together as the predicate of a sentence. The verb phrase typically consists of a main verb and one or more auxiliary verbs, which help to convey tense, aspect, and mood. For example, in the sentence “I am studying for my exam,” the verb phrase is “am studying.” The auxiliary verb “am” helps to convey the present tense, while the main verb “studying” indicates the action being performed.

Predicates

The predicate of a sentence is the part that contains the verb and provides information about the subject. It typically includes the verb and any objects or modifiers that are associated with it. For example, in the sentence “The cat chased the mouse,” the predicate is “chased the mouse.” The verb “chased” indicates the action being performed, while “the mouse” serves as the direct object.

In conclusion, understanding the relationship between verbs and sentence structure is essential for constructing clear and effective sentences in English. By paying attention to direct and indirect objects, verb phrases, and predicates, you can ensure that your writing is both grammatically correct and easy to understand.

Verb Lists and Vocabulary

Learning English verbs can be challenging, but it’s an essential part of mastering the language. In this section, we’ll cover some of the most common verbs, including irregular verbs, modal verbs, phrasal verbs, transitive verbs, action verbs, stative verbs, and English verbs.

Common Verbs

There are many common verbs in English, and it’s important to learn them to communicate effectively. Below are some of the most frequently used verbs in English:

  • Be
  • Have
  • Do
  • Say
  • Go
  • Get
  • Make
  • Know
  • Take
  • See

Irregular Verbs List

Irregular verbs are verbs that don’t follow the standard rules for conjugation. Below is a list of some of the most common irregular verbs in English:

  • Be
  • Have
  • Do
  • Say
  • Go
  • Get
  • Make
  • Know
  • Take
  • See

Modal Verbs List

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that express necessity, ability, permission, or possibility. Below are some of the most common modal verbs in English:

  • Can
  • Could
  • May
  • Might
  • Must
  • Shall
  • Should
  • Will
  • Would

Phrasal Verbs List

Phrasal verbs are verbs that consist of a main verb and one or more particles. Below are some examples of phrasal verbs:

  • Bring up
  • Call off
  • Come across
  • Look after
  • Put off
  • Take up

Transitive Verbs List

Transitive verbs are verbs that require an object to complete their meaning. Below are some examples of transitive verbs:

  • Eat
  • Drink
  • Write
  • Read
  • Sing
  • Play

Action Verbs List

Action verbs are verbs that describe an action. Below are some examples of action verbs:

  • Run
  • Jump
  • Swim
  • Dance
  • Climb
  • Fly

Stative Verbs List

Stative verbs are verbs that describe a state or condition. Below are some examples of stative verbs:

  • Like
  • Love
  • Hate
  • Want
  • Need
  • Believe

English Verbs List

Below is a list of some of the most common verbs in English:

  • Be
  • Have
  • Do
  • Say
  • Go
  • Get
  • Make
  • Know
  • Take
  • See

Learning English verbs can be challenging, but with practice, you can master them. Remember to use them in context and practice using them in sentences.

Additional Grammar Elements

Participles

Participles are verb forms that can function as adjectives or as parts of verb tenses. There are two types of participles: present and past. Present participles end in -ing, while past participles usually end in -ed, -en, or -t. Examples of present participles include “running,” “swimming,” and “singing,” while examples of past participles include “played,” “eaten,” and “written.” Participles can be used to form the progressive tenses (e.g., “I am running”) and the perfect tenses (e.g., “I have played”).

Gerunds

Gerunds are verb forms that function as nouns. They are formed by adding -ing to the base form of the verb. Examples of gerunds include “swimming,” “running,” and “singing.” Gerunds can be used as subjects, objects, and complements in sentences. For example, “Swimming is my favorite hobby,” “I enjoy running every morning,” and “Her favorite activity is singing.”

Infinitives

Infinitives are verb forms that are used as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. They are formed by adding “to” before the base form of the verb. Examples of infinitives include “to run,” “to swim,” and “to sing.” Infinitives can be used as subjects, objects, and complements in sentences. For example, “To run is good exercise,” “I want to swim in the ocean,” and “Her dream is to sing on Broadway.”

Adjectives and Adverbs

Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns or pronouns. They can be used to indicate size, shape, color, and other characteristics. Examples of adjectives include “big,” “red,” and “happy.” Adverbs are words that describe or modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They can be used to indicate time, manner, place, and other characteristics. Examples of adverbs include “quickly,” “loudly,” and “here.”

Prepositions

Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. They are used to indicate location, direction, time, and other relationships. Examples of prepositions include “in,” “on,” “at,” and “with.” Prepositions are often used in prepositional phrases, which consist of a preposition and its object.

Nouns

Nouns are words that name people, places, things, or ideas. They can be used as subjects, objects, and complements in sentences. Examples of nouns include “dog,” “house,” “love,” and “happiness.” Nouns can be singular or plural, and they can be common or proper. Proper nouns are capitalized and refer to specific people, places, or things.

Verbs in Communication

In English, there are several verbs that are commonly used in communication. These verbs are essential for expressing ideas, thoughts, and feelings. In this section, we will discuss some of the most common verbs in communication, including verbs in speaking and expressions.

Verbs in Speaking

The verbs in speaking are used to convey a message or idea to another person. They are the most basic and essential verbs in communication. Below are some of the most common verbs in speaking:

  • Say: Used to express an idea or thought in words. Example: She said that she was going to the store.
  • Tell: Used to give information or instructions to someone. Example: He told me to meet him at the park.
  • Speak: Used to communicate with someone using words. Example: She spoke to the manager about the problem.
  • Talk: Used to have a conversation with someone. Example: They talked about their plans for the weekend.

Verbs in Expressions

Expressions are a crucial part of communication. They are used to convey emotions, feelings, and attitudes. Below are some of the most common verbs in expressions:

  • Express: Used to convey an idea or feeling. Example: He expressed his disappointment with the results.
  • State: Used to make a statement or declare something. Example: She stated her opinion on the matter.
  • Assert: Used to declare something with confidence. Example: He asserted that he was right.
  • Claim: Used to assert something as true. Example: She claimed that she saw a UFO.

In conclusion, communication verbs are essential in English, and mastering them is crucial for effective communication. These verbs are used in everyday conversations, business meetings, and academic settings. By understanding their meanings and usage, you can improve your communication skills and express yourself more effectively in English.

Conclusion

Whether you prefer to learn through reading, writing, or listening, there are many resources available to help you improve your English verbs skills. By taking advantage of these resources, you can become more confident and fluent in your use of English verbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some of the most commonly used verbs in English?

English has a vast number of verbs, but some are used more frequently than others. The most commonly used verbs in English are “be,” “have,” “do,” “say,” “go,” “get,” “make,” “know,” “take,” and “see.”

Can you give me a list of the top 10 most frequently used verbs in English?

Sure, here is a list of the top 10 most frequently used verbs in English: “be,” “have,” “do,” “say,” “go,” “get,” “make,” “know,” “take,” and “see.”

What are the 50 most common verbs in English?

The 50 most common verbs in English are “ask,” “be,” “become,” “bring,” “buy,” “call,” “can,” “choose,” “come,” “do,” “drink,” “eat,” “feel,” “find,” “get,” “give,” “go,” “have,” “hear,” “help,” “know,” “learn,” “like,” “listen,” “live,” “look,” “make,” “need,” “pay,” “play,” “put,” “read,” “say,” “see,” “send,” “show,” “sing,” “sit,” “sleep,” “speak,” “stand,” “take,” “talk,” “tell,” “think,” “try,” “use,” “wait,” “want,” “work,” and “write.”

What are some examples of regular verbs in English?

Regular verbs in English follow a predictable pattern when forming the past tense and past participle. Examples of regular verbs include “walk,” “talk,” “smile,” “laugh,” “play,” and “clean.”

Can you provide a list of the most frequently used verbs in alphabetical order?

Certainly, here is a list of the most frequently used verbs in alphabetical order: “ask,” “be,” “become,” “bring,” “buy,” “call,” “can,” “choose,” “come,” “do,” “drink,” “eat,” “feel,” “find,” “get,” “give,” “go,” “have,” “hear,” “help,” “know,” “learn,” “like,” “listen,” “live,” “look,” “make,” “need,” “pay,” “play,” “put,” “read,” “say,” “see,” “send,” “show,” “sing,” “sit,” “sleep,” “speak,” “stand,” “take,” “talk,” “tell,” “think,” “try,” “use,” “wait,” “want,” “work,” and “write.”

What are some common verbs that are irregular in English?

Irregular verbs in English do not follow a predictable pattern when forming the past tense and past participle. Examples of irregular verbs include “go,” “be,” “eat,” “drink,” “see,” “do,” “have,” “make,” and “take.”

List of Common Verbs | Images

List of Verbs: Learn Common Verbs in English with ESL Pictures!

List of Verbs: Learn Common Verbs in English with ESL Pictures!

ESLBUZZ

Paresh Kumar

Saturday 4th of September 2021

Hi, Nice collection of the verbs.

May I download it? If Yes then How I download it?

Jackie

Thursday 4th of June 2020

Excellent infographic

niki

Monday 10th of February 2020

thank you~!!

Savita

Saturday 14th of April 2018

Very nice