50 most common verbs in English

Most common verbs in English

A list gives the 50 most frequent verbs in English in alphabetical order. Understanding how to use these verbs is a high priority for any English learner. Mastering verbs is a cornerstone of a strong English vocabulary because it allows you to describe actions and states of being.

List of most common verbs

  • ask
  • be
  • become
  • begin
  • call
  • can
  • come
  • could
  • do
  • feel
  • find
  • get
  • give
  • go
  • have
  • hear
  • help
  • keep
  • know
  • leave
  • let
  • like
  • live
  • look
  • make
  • may
  • mean
  • might
  • move
  • need
  • play
  • put
  • run
  • say
  • see
  • seem
  • should
  • show
  • start
  • take
  • talk
  • tell
  • think
  • try
  • turn
  • use
  • want
  • will
  • work
  • would


Most common verbs with their meanings and example sentences:


ask

  • Meaning: To say something in the form of a question to seek information or an answer.
  • Example: She asked him where he was going.


be

  • Meaning: To exist; to have reality or presence.
  • Example: It’s important to be kind to others.


become

  • Meaning: To begin to be; to grow or develop into something.
  • Example: She hopes to become a doctor one day.


begin

  • Meaning: To start; to commence.
  • Example: The meeting will begin at 9 AM sharp.


call

  • Meaning: To shout or say something loudly to attract attention.
  • Example: He called her name from across the room.


can

  • Meaning: To be able to; to have the ability or opportunity to do something.
  • Example: She can speak Spanish fluently.


come

  • Meaning: To move or travel towards or into a place.
  • Example: They came to visit us last weekend.


could

  • Meaning: Used to indicate possibility or ability in the past.
  • Example: When I was younger, I could run faster.


do

  • Meaning: To perform an action; to carry out.
  • Example: He needs to do his homework before watching TV.


feel

  • Meaning: To experience an emotion or physical sensation.
  • Example: She felt happy when she received good news.


find

  • Meaning: To discover or locate something.
  • Example: They couldn’t find their keys this morning.


get

  • Meaning: To come into possession or obtain something.
  • Example: She got a new job at a local company.


give

  • Meaning: To freely transfer the possession of something to someone.
  • Example: He gave me a birthday present.


go

  • Meaning: To move from one place to another.
  • Example: They decided to go for a walk in the park.


have

  • Meaning: To own or possess something.
  • Example: She has a dog named Max.


hear

  • Meaning: To perceive with the ear; to listen to.
  • Example: He heard the sound of a car approaching.


help

  • Meaning: To assist someone; to make it easier for them to do something.
  • Example: Can you help me carry these bags?


keep

  • Meaning: To have or retain possession of something.
  • Example: She likes to keep her room tidy.


know

  • Meaning: To have knowledge of something.
  • Example: He knows how to play the piano.


leave

  • Meaning: To go away from a place.
  • Example: They plan to leave for vacation tomorrow.


let

  • Meaning: To allow or permit someone to do something.
  • Example: She let her son stay up late on weekends.


like

  • Meaning: To find something enjoyable or agreeable.
  • Example: She likes to read books in her spare time.


live

  • Meaning: To be alive; to exist.
  • Example: They live in a small town near the mountains.


look

  • Meaning: To direct one’s gaze in a particular direction.
  • Example: She looked out the window to see the snow falling.


make

  • Meaning: To create or produce something.
  • Example: He makes delicious homemade pasta.


may

  • Meaning: Used to express possibility or permission.
  • Example: May I borrow your pen for a moment?


mean

  • Meaning: To intend to convey or indicate.
  • Example: What does this word mean?


might

  • Meaning: Used to indicate a possibility or uncertainty.
  • Example: She might come to the party tonight.


move

  • Meaning: To change position or place; to go in a specified direction or manner.
  • Example: They decided to move to a larger house.


need

  • Meaning: To require something because it is essential or very important.
  • Example: She needs to finish her homework before dinner.


play

  • Meaning: To engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation.
  • Example: They like to play tennis on weekends.


put

  • Meaning: To place something in a particular position.
  • Example: Please put the books on the shelf.


run

  • Meaning: To move at a speed faster than walking.
  • Example: He runs five miles every morning.


say

  • Meaning: To speak or utter words.
  • Example: She didn’t say anything during the meeting.


see

  • Meaning: To perceive with the eyes; to observe.
  • Example: They saw a beautiful sunset over the ocean.


seem

  • Meaning: To give the impression of being something or having a particular quality.
  • Example: It seems like a good idea to go hiking this weekend.


should

  • Meaning: Used to indicate obligation, duty, or correctness.
  • Example: You should call your parents more often.


show

  • Meaning: To make something visible or noticeable.
  • Example: She showed her new painting to her friends.


start

  • Meaning: To begin; to commence an action or process.
  • Example: The race will start in five minutes.


take

  • Meaning: To lay hold of; to grasp or seize.
  • Example: He took the keys from the table.


talk

  • Meaning: To speak in order to give information or express ideas or feelings.
  • Example: They talked about their plans for the weekend.


tell

  • Meaning: To communicate information, facts, or news to someone.
  • Example: Can you tell me where the nearest grocery store is?


think

  • Meaning: To have a particular opinion, belief, or idea about someone or something.
  • Example: She thinks that he should apply for the job.


try

  • Meaning: To attempt or make an effort to do something.
  • Example: He will try his best to finish the project on time.


turn

  • Meaning: To move or cause to move in a circular direction.
  • Example: Please turn off the lights before you leave.


use

  • Meaning: To employ for some purpose; to utilize.
  • Example: They use this room for meetings every Tuesday.


want

  • Meaning: To have a desire to possess or do something.
  • Example: She wants to travel around the world someday.


will

  • Meaning: To express a future intention or determination.
  • Example: He will study hard for the upcoming exam.


work

  • Meaning: To perform activity in order to achieve a result; to be employed.
  • Example: She works as a software engineer at a tech company.


would

  • Meaning: Used to indicate the consequence of an imagined event or situation.
  • Example: If I were rich, I would travel the world.


Hope it helps!! Happy Learning




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