50 most common verbs in English

A list gives the 50 most common 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 in English

Most Common Verbs in English | Image

Most common verbs with Meaning and Examples

• Ask
  • Meaning: To inquire about something or request information.
  • Example: She decided to ask him about his plans for the weekend.

• Be
  • Meaning: To exist, occupy a place, or have a specified quality.
  • Example: They will be at the party tonight.

• Become
  • Meaning: To undergo a change or transformation.
  • Example: He hoped to become a doctor one day.

• Begin
  • Meaning: To start or commence something.
  • Example: Let’s begin the meeting.

• Call
  • Meaning: To give someone or something a name or title.
  • Example: She always calls him on his birthday.

• Can
  • Meaning: To have the ability or capacity to do something.
  • Example: I can speak three languages fluently.

• Come
  • Meaning: To move or travel towards a specified place or person.
  • Example: Please come to the party tonight.

• Could
  • Meaning: Past tense of “can”, indicating past ability or possibility.
  • Example: She could swim when she was five years old.

• Do
  • Meaning: To perform or execute an action.
  • Example: What do you like to do in your free time?

• Feel
  • Meaning: To perceive through touch or experience an emotion.
  • Example: I feel happy when I’m with my friends.

• Find
  • Meaning: To discover or locate something or someone.
  • Example: Did you find your keys?

• Get
  • Meaning: To obtain, acquire, or receive something.
  • Example: Can you get me a glass of water, please?

• Give
  • Meaning: To transfer or present something to someone.
  • Example: She decided to give him a gift for his birthday.

• Go
  • Meaning: To move or travel to another place.
  • Example: They want to go on vacation next month.

• Have
  • Meaning: To possess, own, or hold something.
  • Example: I have a dog named Max.

• Hear
  • Meaning: To perceive or become aware of sound.
  • Example: Can you hear the music playing?

• Help
  • Meaning: To assist or aid someone in doing something.
  • Example: Can you please help me with this project?

• Keep
  • Meaning: To retain or continue in possession or use.
  • Example: I always keep my promises.

• Know
  • Meaning: To have information about something or someone.
  • Example: Do you know where the nearest coffee shop is?

• Leave
  • Meaning: To go away from a place.
  • Example: She decided to leave the party early.

• Let
  • Meaning: To allow or permit someone to do something.
  • Example: Please let me know if you need any help.

• Like
  • Meaning: To have a preference for or enjoy something.
  • Example: I like chocolate ice cream.

• Live
  • Meaning: To be alive; to reside in a particular place.
  • Example: They live in a small apartment downtown.

• Look
  • Meaning: To direct one’s gaze in a particular direction.
  • Example: She looks out the window every morning.

• Make
  • Meaning: To create, produce, or construct something.
  • Example: He decided to make a cake for her birthday.

• May
  • Meaning: To express permission or possibility.
  • Example: May I borrow your pen?

• Mean
  • Meaning: To signify or represent something.
  • Example: What does this word mean?

• Might
  • Meaning: Expressing possibility or permission.
  • Example: He might come to the party later.

• Move
  • Meaning: To change position or place.
  • Example: She decided to move to a new city.

• Need
  • Meaning: To require something because it is essential or necessary.
  • Example: I need to buy groceries.

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

• Put
  • Meaning: To place something in a particular position or location.
  • Example: Can you put the books on the shelf?

• Run
  • Meaning: To move rapidly on foot.
  • Example: She likes to run in the mornings.

• Say
  • Meaning: To speak or utter words.
  • Example: What did she say?

• See
  • Meaning: To perceive with the eyes; to observe or witness something.
  • Example: Can you see the mountains from here?

• Seem
  • Meaning: To give the impression of being something or having a particular quality.
  • Example: She seems happy today.

• Should
  • Meaning: Expressing obligation or expectation.
  • Example: You should eat more fruits and vegetables.

• Show
  • Meaning: To make something visible or known; to demonstrate or exhibit.
  • Example: He decided to show his support by attending the rally.

• Start
  • Meaning: To begin or commence an action or process.
  • Example: Let’s start the meeting.

• Take
  • Meaning: To lay hold of something with one’s hands or arms; to remove something.
  • Example: Please take a seat.

• Talk
  • Meaning: To communicate with someone by speaking.
  • Example: We need to talk about the upcoming project.

• Tell
  • Meaning: To communicate information or instruct someone to do something.
  • Example: Can you tell me the time?

• Think
  • Meaning: To have or form in the mind; to consider or reflect on something.
  • Example: I think we should go now.

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

• Turn
  • Meaning: To change direction or orientation.
  • Example: Please turn left at the next intersection.

• Use
  • Meaning: To employ for a purpose or put into service.
  • Example: You can use my computer if you need to.

• Want
  • Meaning: To have a desire or wish for something.
  • Example: What do you want for dinner?

• Will
  • Meaning: To express future intention or determination.
  • Example: I will call you later.

• Work
  • Meaning: To perform tasks or duties in order to achieve a result.
  • Example: He has to work late tonight.

• Would
  • Meaning: Expressing a conditional or future action.
  • Example: If I were you, I would go to the doctor.

Hope it helps!! Happy Learning

Download the Word of the day