100+ Common English Verbs (With Ready-to-Use Phrases)
Turn basic verbs into real-life English that sounds natural, fast.
Verbs are the engine of English. But the real magic is the phrase that follows: make a decision, take a break, get ready. That is the stuff people actually say.
Below you get 120 essentials: 8 mega-verbs as visual cards (with extra phrases) plus 112 more in a big table with quick examples.
Yak Snark: Memorizing a verb by itself is like buying a phone with no charger. Sure, you own it. But are you using it? Steal the phrases. Use them today.
Visual Cards: The 8 Mega-Verbs You Use All The Time
These eight verbs show up everywhere. Learn a few common phrases for each and your English instantly sounds more natural.
Get
Core idea: receive, become, or arrive.
- get ready
- get home
- get better
- get a job
- get it
Example: I get home around six.
Example: She got better after a few days.
Make
Core idea: create, cause, or decide.
- make a decision
- make a mistake
- make time
- make sense
- make a plan
Example: Let us make a plan for the weekend.
Example: That does not make sense.
Take
Core idea: grab, use, or spend (time).
- take a break
- take a look
- take your time
- take notes
- take care
Example: Take a break and drink some water.
Example: I will take notes during the meeting.
Give
Core idea: provide, hand over, or offer.
- give advice
- give it a try
- give someone a call
- give a reason
- give support
Example: Can you give me some advice?
Example: Give it a try before you decide.
Come
Core idea: move toward, arrive, or happen.
- come here
- come back
- come in
- come with me
- come to mind
Example: Come in and sit down.
Example: A good idea came to mind.
Go
Core idea: move, leave, or continue.
- go home
- go ahead
- go for it
- go with
- go on
Example: You can go ahead. I will catch up.
Example: The meeting will go on for one hour.
Put
Core idea: place, add, or start (a plan).
- put it here
- put on a jacket
- put away
- put together
- put it simply
Example: Put your phone away during class.
Example: Let me put it simply: we need more time.
Look
Core idea: see, check, or seem.
- look at this
- look for a job
- look after the kids
- look like
- look into it
Example: I will look into it today.
Example: You look tired. Get some rest.
Table of Common Verbs (112 More)
Pick 5 verbs a day. Say the example sentences out loud. Then swap in your own details. That is how fluency happens.
| Verb | Common phrases | Example | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core verbs for everyday English | |||
| be | be ready; be careful; be late | I will be there at 3 pm. | |
| have | have time; have a look; have a problem | Do you have time today? | |
| do | do homework; do the dishes; do your best | I do my homework after dinner. | |
| say | say hello; say sorry; say the truth | Please say hello to your family for me. | |
| see | see a doctor; see the point; see you later | I see what you mean. | |
| know | know the answer; know someone; know better | I do not know the answer yet. | |
| think | think about it; think ahead; think twice | Let me think about it. | |
| want | want to; want a break; want help | I want to learn faster. | |
| need | need to; need help; need a ride | I need to finish this today. | |
| feel | feel better; feel like; feel stressed | I feel like pizza tonight. | |
| become | become friends; become clear; become a habit | It became clear after the meeting. | |
| seem | seem fine; seem likely; seem surprised | It seems likely that it will rain. | |
| keep | keep going; keep a secret; keep in touch | Keep going. You are almost done. | |
| let | let me know; let it go; let someone in | Let me know when you arrive. | |
| start | start now; start a job; start over | We start class at nine. | |
| stop | stop talking; stop by; stop worrying | Please stop worrying. We have time. | |
| work | work from home; work on; work out | I work on this project every morning. | |
| use | use a tool; use your time; use up | I use this app to practice English. | |
| find | find out; find a job; find it hard | I will find out the price later. | |
| tell | tell the truth; tell a story; tell someone to | Tell me what happened. | |
| ask | ask a question; ask for help; ask about | Do not be shy. Ask a question. | |
| try | try again; try to; try it on | I will try again tomorrow. | |
| learn | learn English; learn from; learn the hard way | I learn new words every day. | |
| change | change your mind; change clothes; change the plan | I changed my mind after I saw it. | |
| help | help out; help with; help yourself | Can you help me with this? | |
| talk | talk about; talk to; talk it over | We talked about the new plan. | |
| call | call back; call it a day; call someone | I will call you after work. | |
| show | show up; show someone; show off | Please show me how to do it. | |
| hear | hear a noise; hear from; hear about | I heard from my friend yesterday. | |
| play | play a game; play music; play outside | The kids play outside after school. | |
| run | run late; run into; run a business | I ran into my teacher at the mall. | |
| move | move in; move on; move forward | We moved on to the next topic. | |
| live | live alone; live with; live a life | I live near the train station. | |
| believe | believe in; believe it; believe someone | I believe in practicing every day. | |
| bring | bring it; bring up; bring along | Please bring your notebook tomorrow. | |
| happen | happen to; happen again; happen fast | What happened at the meeting? | |
| write | write down; write an email; write a report | Write down three new phrases today. | |
| read | read a book; read aloud; read between the lines | I read the news in English each morning. | |
| speak | speak up; speak English; speak to | Please speak slower, thank you. | |
| watch | watch a movie; watch out; watch the kids | We watched a movie last night. | |
| follow | follow me; follow instructions; follow up | Follow the instructions step by step. | |
| Daily life actions | |||
| open | open the door; open a file; open up | Can you open the window? | |
| close | close the window; close a deal; close up | Please close the door quietly. | |
| buy | buy groceries; buy a ticket; buy time | I bought a ticket online. | |
| pay | pay attention; pay for; pay back | I paid for the coffee. | |
| send | send a message; send it back; send out | Send me the details, please. | |
| receive | receive an email; receive a package; receive help | I received your email this morning. | |
| wait | wait a minute; wait for; wait and see | Wait a minute. I am not ready. | |
| stand | stand up; stand by; stand out | Please stand up for a moment. | |
| sit | sit down; sit still; sit with | Come sit with us. | |
| walk | walk home; walk away; walk into | I walk to work when the weather is nice. | |
| travel | travel abroad; travel by train; travel light | We travel by train on weekends. | |
| order | order food; order online; order a coffee | I ordered noodles for lunch. | |
| cook | cook dinner; cook at home; cook up | I cook dinner on weekdays. | |
| eat | eat out; eat healthy; eat up | We eat out on Friday nights. | |
| drink | drink water; drink coffee; drink up | Drink some water before you leave. | |
| drive | drive to work; drive carefully; drive someone crazy | I drive to work twice a week. | |
| wear | wear a jacket; wear glasses; wear out | I wear comfortable shoes for walking. | |
| sleep | sleep in; sleep well; sleep over | I slept well last night. | |
| wake | wake up; wake someone; wake to | I wake up at seven. | |
| win | win a game; win a prize; win over | Our team won the game. | |
| lose | lose your keys; lose weight; lose track of time | I lost my keys again. | |
| spend | spend money; spend time; spend the day | I spend time reading on the train. | |
| save | save money; save a file; save the day | Save your work before you close the app. | |
| Feelings, memory, and decisions | |||
| like | like it; like to; like someone | I like this song. | |
| love | love it; love doing; love the idea | I love learning new phrases. | |
| hate | hate doing; hate it; hate to | I hate being late. | |
| remember | remember to; remember someone; remember when | Remember to bring your ID. | |
| forget | forget to; forget it; forget about | I forgot to reply yesterday. | |
| decide | decide to; decide on; decide against | We decided to meet at noon. | |
| plan | plan ahead; plan a trip; plan on | I plan ahead when I travel. | |
| choose | choose one; choose to; choose wisely | Choose one topic and practice it. | |
| prefer | prefer tea; prefer to; prefer over | I prefer tea over coffee. | |
| agree | agree with; agree to; agree on | I agree with your idea. | |
| allow | allow someone to; allow access; allow for | This ticket allows you to enter early. | |
| enjoy | enjoy your meal; enjoy doing; enjoy the view | I enjoy studying in the morning. | |
| expect | expect to; expect from; expect a call | I expect to finish before lunch. | |
| worry | worry about; worry too much; worry less | Do not worry about small mistakes. | |
| People and social life | |||
| invite | invite friends; invite to; invite over | We invited our neighbors over. | |
| join | join a team; join in; join up | Join us for dinner. | |
| meet | meet someone; meet a deadline; meet up | Let us meet up after work. | |
| share | share with; share ideas; share a post | We shared ideas in class. | |
| support | support a friend; support a claim; support the team | Thank you for supporting me. | |
| suggest | suggest a plan; suggest doing; suggest that | I suggest taking a short break. | |
| Work, study, and problem solving | |||
| add | add to; add up; add on | Add your name to the list. | |
| remove | remove from; remove a file; remove the stain | Please remove the old file. | |
| include | include in; include taxes; include someone | The price includes breakfast. | |
| provide | provide help; provide for; provide details | We provide free Wi-Fi here. | |
| improve | improve your skills; improve on; improve quickly | I want to improve my pronunciation. | |
| increase | increase by; increase the chance; increase prices | We increased our study time this week. | |
| explain | explain it; explain to; explain why | Can you explain why this happens? | |
| understand | understand why; understand English; understand each other | I understand, but I still have a question. | |
| solve | solve a problem; solve it; solve with | We solved the problem together. | |
| Building, fixing, and handling stuff | |||
| build | build a habit; build a house; build up | We are building a new routine. | |
| break | break a rule; break down; break up | Do not break the rules. | |
| fix | fix it; fix a problem; fix up | I fixed the settings in the app. | |
| clean | clean up; clean the room; clean out | I cleaned up after dinner. | |
| cut | cut costs; cut it out; cut off | We cut the price by 10 percent. | |
| drop | drop by; drop off; drop it | Drop by anytime this weekend. | |
| catch | catch a bus; catch up; catch on | I caught the last train home. | |
| hold | hold on; hold a meeting; hold back | Hold on, I will be right back. | |
| turn | turn on; turn off; turn into | Turn off the lights when you leave. | |
| push | push a button; push for; push through | Push the button to start. | |
| pull | pull over; pull off; pull together | Pull the door gently. | |
| pick | pick up; pick out; pick a date | Pick a date that works for everyone. | |
| set | set up; set a goal; set aside | Set a goal for this week. | |
| Movement and places | |||
| arrive | arrive on time; arrive at; arrive in | We arrived at the station early. | |
| leave | leave early; leave out; leave it | I will leave early today. | |
| return | return home; return a call; return to | I returned a call after lunch. | |
| stay | stay home; stay calm; stay in touch | Stay calm and take a breath. | |
| enter | enter a room; enter details; enter a contest | Please enter your email address. | |
| appear | appear on; appear to; appear suddenly | She appeared to be busy. | |
Optional Variants: Phrasal Verbs (Super Common)
Phrasal verbs are verb + small word (up, off, into). They sound very natural in daily English.
| Phrase | Meaning | Example | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|
| get up | wake and leave bed | I get up at seven on weekdays. | |
| get along | have a good relationship | I get along well with my coworkers. | |
| get over | recover, move past | It took me a week to get over my cold. | |
| make up | invent, or become friends again | They argued, then they made up. | |
| take off | remove, or leave quickly | Please take off your shoes. | |
| take over | take control | She will take over the project next week. | |
| give up | stop trying | Do not give up. Keep going. | |
| give in | finally agree (often after pressure) | I gave in and tried the spicy food. | |
| come back | return | Come back when you have time. | |
| come across | find by chance | I came across an old photo. | |
| go on | continue | Please go on. I am listening. | |
| go out | leave home for fun | We go out on Saturday nights. | |
| put off | delay | Do not put off your homework. | |
| put on | wear, or start a device | Put on a jacket. It is cold. | |
| look for | search | I am looking for my keys. | |
| look after | take care of | She looks after her younger brother. | |
| look into | investigate | We will look into the issue today. | |
| turn down | refuse, or lower volume | I turned down the offer. | |
| pick up | lift, collect, or learn informally | I picked up some new phrases. | |
| drop off | deliver, or fall asleep | I will drop off the package later. | |
| set up | arrange, prepare | Let us set up a quick meeting. | |
| break down | stop working, or explain simply | My car broke down on the way home. | |
| run into | meet by chance | I ran into an old friend downtown. | |
| find out | discover information | We found out the results today. |
Yak Snark: If you try to learn 120 verbs in one day, your brain will file a complaint. Pick 10 favorites, use them in real sentences, and repeat tomorrow. Boring wins.
