List of Verbs in English

Verbs are one of the most important parts of the English language. They help us express actions, states of being, and communication. Whether you're just starting to learn English or already fluent, understanding verbs will help you become a better communicator.

This guide will provide you with an extensive list of verbs in English, and we will also learn:

• What types of verbs are there
• Examples of common verbs
• How verbs are correctly used in sentences
• Tips for using verbs correctly

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Types of Verbs

Verbs come in many different forms, and the type of verb you need for your sentences will depend on the context. Here are the most common types:

Action Verbs

Action verbs describe an activity or movement. These verbs show what someone or something is doing. Here are some examples:

• Run
• Jump
• Walk
• Talk
• Eat
• Drink

Action verbs can be used in different tenses:

• Past: She ran to school yesterday.
• Present: He walks to work every day.
• Future: We will eat dinner at 7 PM.

Auxiliary Verbs (Helping Verbs)

Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs, are those that work alongside the main verb to modify its meaning. They are often used to express necessity, possibility, ability, or permission. The following are examples of auxiliary verbs:

• Can (ability) → She can swim.
• Should (advice) → You should study more.
• Must (necessity) → We must leave now.
• Will (future) → I will call you later.
• Could (possibility) → He could be right.
• Would (hypothetical) → She would love to visit Paris.

Linking Verbs

Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence to a noun, pronoun, or adjective. Unlike action verbs, they do not show action—instead, they describe a state or condition. For example:

• Be → She is happy.
• Seem → This idea seems interesting.
• Become → He became a doctor.
• Appear → The sky appears cloudy.
• Feel → I feel tired.

Smell → The flowers smell wonderful.
Mastering all types of verbs will improve your English fluency and make your sentences clearer and more expressive. 

List of Common Verbs in English

Now that you’re familiar with the different types of verbs, here’s a list of some of the most commonly used verbs in English:

• Be
• Have
• Do
• Make
• Go
• Take
• Come
• See
• Get
• Give
• Know
• Think
• Find
• Say
• Tell
• Use
• Look
• Work
• Call
• Try
• Ask
• Leave
• Feel
• Put
• Mean
• Keep
• Let
• Begin
• Seem
• Help
• Talk
• Turn
• Start
• Might
• Show
• Hear
• Play
• Run
• Move
• Like
• Live
• Believe
• Hold
• Bring

These verbs are used in daily conversations and writing, making them essential for improving your fluency in English. Practice using them in sentences to become more confident in your communication!

List of Simple Verbs in English

Simple verbs describe a single action or state. They are commonly used in everyday speech and writing, making them essential for learning English.

Here’s a list of commonly used simple verbs divided into categories:

List of Action Verbs (Physical Activities)

Action verbs are used to describe an activity or action we do with our bodies. Here is a list of the most common action verbs in English:

• Run
• Jump
• Walk
• Talk
• Eat
• Drink
• Sleep
• Write
• Read
• Listen
• Laugh
• Cry
• Sit
• Stand
• Look
• Touch
• Watch
• Carry
• Hold
• Push
• Pull
• Open
• Close
• Catch
• Throw
• Clap
• Kick
• Jump
• Swim
• Dance

List of Most Common Linking Verbs

Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence with an adjective, noun, or pronoun. They do not show action, but instead describe a state or condition. Here is a list of common linking verbs in English:

• Be
• Seem
• Become
• Appear
• Remain
• Feel
• Smell
• Look
• Sound
• Taste
• Grow
• Stay

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Basic Helping Verb List

Helping verbs (also called auxiliary verbs) modify the meaning of the main verb. They help express necessity, ability, possibility, and time. Here is a list of common auxiliary verbs in English:

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

Mastering action, linking, and helping verbs will help you form better sentences and express yourself clearly.

Examples of Verbs in Sentences

Now that you're familiar with the different types of verbs, let's take a look at some examples of how they are used in sentences.

Action verbs:

• I ran to the store.
• He jumped off the trampoline.
• She walked to the park.
• They played soccer in the backyard.
• We wrote a letter to our friend.

Auxiliary (helping) verbs:

• I can help you. (ability)
• You should call the doctor. (advice)
• We must leave now. (necessity)
• She will visit tomorrow. (future)
• They might go to the concert. (possibility)

Linking verbs:

• She appears happy.
• He seems tired.
• They became friends.
• The cake smells delicious.
• The weather looks cloudy today.

Here are some more complex sentences with verbs:

• I could have gone to the store, but I decided to stay home.
• He must have forgotten his wallet because he couldn't pay for the meal.
• She should have called before coming over.
• We might have missed the bus if we hadn’t left early.
• He would have helped if he had known about the problem.

These sentences combine different types of verbs to express more detailed thoughts.

Tips for Using Verbs Effectively

Before we move on to the next article, we want to share with you some helpful tips to use them correctly and make your sentences stronger:

1. Use the Correct Verb Tense

Make sure your verb always matches the time of the action (past, present, or future). For example:

• I ate lunch at noon. (past)
• I am eating lunch now. (present)
• I will eat lunch later. (future)

2. Match the Verb with the Subject

The verb must also agree with the subject (singular or plural). Always.  For example:

• She writes a letter every day. (singular)
• They write letters every day. (plural)

3. Use Action Verbs for Stronger Writing

Action verbs make your sentences more interesting and engaging.  For example:

• The movie was okay. (weak)
• The movie excited the audience. (strong)

4. Prefer Active Voice Over Passive Voice

Active voice makes sentences clearer and more direct, so it’s usually best to opt to use it instead of the passive voice. For example:

• The book was written by her. (passive voice)
• She wrote the book. (active voice)

5. Avoid Repeating the Same Verbs Too Often

Using a wider variety of verbs makes your writing more dynamic. For example, instead of always using “said”, try:

• I mentioned it during the meeting.
• She replied softly.
• He shouted in excitement.
• They whispered a secret.

Summary

Verbs are essential in English for expressing actions, states of being, and overall enhancing the flow of our communication in this language. 

Understanding the different types of verbs, learning the lists of simple verbs that we shared with you (and their meaning), and mastering how they work in sentences correctly will help you communicate more clearly and effectively in English.

Keep practicing every day, and please don't hesitate to share your questions with us in the comments below ¡We are here to help you improve!