100 Most Common English Verbs with Sentences

Verbs are the backbone of any language, and English is no exception. They describe actions, states, and occurrences, making them essential for constructing meaningful sentences. Whether you’re forming a simple sentence or a complex one, verbs play a crucial role. Mastering common verbs can significantly improve your language skills, enabling you to communicate more effectively and confidently.

This article provides a comprehensive list of the 100 most common English verbs. Each verb is paired with a sentence to illustrate its usage, helping you understand how to incorporate these verbs into your everyday conversations and writing.

Table of Contents

What is a Verb?

A verb is a word that expresses an action, an event, or a state of being. Examples include “run,” “think,” and “exist.”

Types of Verbs

Main Verbs and Auxiliary Verbs: Main verbs carry the primary meaning in a sentence (e.g., “run”), while auxiliary verbs (e.g., “is,” “have”) support the main verb to form different tenses or questions.
Regular and Irregular Verbs: Regular verbs form their past tense by adding “-ed” (e.g., “walk” becomes “walked”), while irregular verbs have unique forms (e.g., “go” becomes “went”).

Verb Tenses

Verb tenses indicate the time of action or state. The main tenses are past, present, and future.

List of 100 Most Common English Verbs with Sentences

Below is a list of 100 common English verbs, each followed by a definition and a sentence to demonstrate its usage.

Be

- Definition: To exist.
- Sentence: “I will be there at 5 PM.”

Have

- Definition: To possess.
- Sentence: “They have a beautiful garden.”

Do

- Definition: To perform an action.
- Sentence: “I do my homework every evening.”

Say

- Definition: To speak words.
- Sentence: “She says hello to everyone she meets.”

Get

- Definition: To receive or obtain.
- Sentence: “I get many emails every day.”

Make

- Definition: To create.
- Sentence: “She makes delicious cakes.”

Go

- Definition: To move from one place to another.
- Sentence: “We will go to the park tomorrow.”

Know

- Definition: To be aware of through observation or inquiry.
- Sentence: “I know the answer to the question.”

Take

- Definition: To acquire possession.
- Sentence: “He took the book from the shelf.”

See

- Definition: To perceive with the eyes.
- Sentence: “Can you see the mountains from here?”

Come

- Definition: To move toward something.
- Sentence: “She comes to visit us every summer.”

Think

- Definition: To have a particular opinion or idea.
- Sentence: “I think we should leave now.”

Look

- Definition: To direct one’s gaze.
- Sentence: “Look at the sky, it’s so clear!”

Want

- Definition: To desire something.
- Sentence: “I want a new phone.”

Give

- Definition: To offer something to someone.
- Sentence: “She gives me a gift every birthday.”

Use

- Definition: To employ something for a purpose.
- Sentence: “I use my laptop for work.”

17. Find

- Definition: To discover something.
- Sentence: “Can you find my keys?”

Tell

- Definition: To communicate information.
- Sentence: “Please tell me the truth.”

Ask

- Definition: To inquire or request information.
- Sentence: “He asks a lot of questions in class.”

Work

- Definition: To engage in physical or mental activity.
- Sentence: “I work at a software company.”

Seem

- Definition: To give the impression of being something.
- Sentence: “She seems very happy today.”

Feel

- Definition: To experience an emotion or sensation.
- Sentence: “I feel cold.”

Try

- Definition: To make an attempt.
- Sentence: “I’ll try to finish the project by tomorrow.”

Leave

- Definition: To go away from a place.
- Sentence: “She leaves for work at 8 AM.”

Call

- Definition: To contact someone by phone.
- Sentence: “I will call you later.”

Need

- Definition: To require something.
- Sentence: “I need more time to complete the task.”

Become

- Definition: To begin to be something.
- Sentence: “He wants to become a doctor.”

Put

- Definition: To place something in a particular position.
- Sentence: “Put the book on the table.”

Mean

- Definition: To signify or intend something.
- Sentence: “What does this word mean?”

Keep

- Definition: To retain possession of something.
- Sentence: “Keep this secret between us.”

Let

- Definition: To allow someone to do something.
- Sentence: “Let him finish his story.”

Begin

- Definition: To start something.
- Sentence: “They begin their journey at dawn.”

Seem

- Definition: To appear to be something.
- Sentence: “It seems like a good idea.”

Help

- Definition: To assist someone.
- Sentence: “Can you help me with this problem?”

Talk

- Definition: To speak in order to give information or express ideas.
- Sentence: “We need to talk about your plans.”

Turn

- Definition: To move or cause to move in a different direction.
- Sentence: “Turn left at the next corner.”

Start

- Definition: To begin doing something.
- Sentence: “I will start my new job next week.”

Show

- Definition: To make something visible.
- Sentence: “Show me your homework.”

Hear

- Definition: To perceive sound.
- Sentence: “Did you hear that noise?”

Play

- Definition: To engage in an activity for enjoyment.
- Sentence: “They play soccer every weekend.”

Run

- Definition: To move swiftly on foot.
- Sentence: “She runs every morning.”

Move

- Definition: To change position or place.
- Sentence: “We need to move this table.”

Like

- Definition: To enjoy something.
- Sentence: “I like chocolate.”

Live

- Definition: To be alive.
- Sentence: “They live in a small town.”

Believe

- Definition: To accept something as true.
- Sentence: “I believe in honesty.”

Hold

- Definition: To have something in one’s hands.
- Sentence: “Hold my hand while crossing the street.”

Bring

- Definition: To take something or someone to a place.
- Sentence: “Bring your friend to the party.”

Happen

- Definition: To occur.
- Sentence: “What will happen if we don’t act now?”

Write

- Definition: To mark words on a surface.
- Sentence: “Please write your name here.”

Provide

- Definition: To supply something.
- Sentence: “We provide free meals to the needy.”

Sit

- Definition: To be seated.
- Sentence: “Please sit down.”

Stand

- Definition: To be upright on one’s feet.
- Sentence: “He stands tall.”

Lose

- - Definition: To misplace something.
  - Sentence: “I always lose my keys.”

Pay

- Definition: To give money for something.
- Sentence: “Did you pay the bill?”

Meet

- Definition: To come into the presence of someone.
- Sentence: “Let’s meet at the café.”

Include

- Definition: To contain as part of something.
- Sentence: “This price includes taxes.”

Continue

- Definition: To persist in an activity.
- Sentence: “We will continue our discussion tomorrow.”

Set

- Definition: To put something in a specified place.
- Sentence: “Set the table for dinner.”

Learn

- Definition: To acquire knowledge or skill.
- Sentence: “I want to learn Spanish.”

Change

- Definition: To make something different.
- Sentence: “You need to change your clothes.”

Lead

- Definition: To guide or direct.
- Sentence: “She will lead the team.”

Understand

- Definition: To grasp the meaning of something.
- Sentence: “Do you understand the instructions?”

Watch

- Definition: To look at something for a period of time.
- Sentence: “I like to watch movies.”

Follow

- Definition: To go or come after someone or something.
- Sentence: “Follow me to the store.”

Stop

- Definition: To cease an action.
- Sentence: “Please stop talking.”

Create

- Definition: To bring something into existence.
- Sentence: “She creates beautiful art.”

Speak

- Definition: To talk.
- Sentence: “He speaks three languages.”

Read

- Definition: To look at and comprehend written words.
- Sentence: “She likes to read books.”

Allow

- Definition: To permit something.
- Sentence: “We do not allow pets here.”

Add

- Definition: To combine with something else.
- Sentence: “Add more sugar to the tea.”

Tips for Learning and Using Common Verbs

Practice Regularly

Consistent practice is key to mastering these common verbs. Try to use them in your daily conversations and writing.

Use in Context

Understanding verbs in context helps in remembering them better. Create sentences or short stories using the verbs.

Flashcards and Quizzes

Flashcards and quizzes are effective tools for reinforcing learning. Make flashcards with the verb on one side and the sentence on the other, and quiz yourself regularly.

Conclusion

Mastering common verbs is crucial for anyone learning English. They are fundamental building blocks that enable effective communication.

Keep practicing these verbs in different contexts to solidify your understanding and usage.

For further learning, explore online resources and English learning apps, and practice with native speakers whenever possible.

FAQs

1. Why are these 100 verbs considered the most common in English?

These verbs are considered the most common because they are frequently used in everyday conversations, writing, and various forms of communication. They cover a wide range of basic actions, states, and occurrences that are essential for constructing meaningful sentences.

2. How can I effectively memorize these common verbs and their usage?

To effectively memorize these verbs, use a combination of practice methods such as creating flashcards, using the verbs in sentences, engaging in regular writing and speaking exercises, and taking quizzes. Consistent practice and exposure to these verbs in different contexts will help reinforce your memory.

3. What is the difference between regular and irregular verbs?

Regular verbs form their past tense by adding “-ed” to the base form (e.g., “walk” becomes “walked”). Irregular verbs do not follow this pattern and have unique past tense forms (e.g., “go” becomes “went”). Understanding and memorizing these irregular forms is crucial for proper verb usage.

4. Can you provide tips for using these verbs correctly in different tenses?

To use these verbs correctly in different tenses, familiarize yourself with the conjugation patterns for past, present, and future tenses. Practice forming sentences in each tense, paying attention to the verb forms and auxiliary verbs used. Resources like grammar guides, online exercises, and language apps can be very helpful.

5. Are there any resources you recommend for further practice with these verbs?

Yes, there are several resources you can use for further practice. Online platforms like Duolingo, Memrise, and Quizlet offer interactive exercises and flashcards. Reading books, watching movies, and engaging in conversations with native speakers are also excellent ways to practice and reinforce your understanding of these common verbs.

I hope this article helped you learn 100 most common English verbs with sentences.

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