Verbs are the heartbeat of any conversation — you need them to share a story, ask a question, or just order your favorite coffee. This list rounds up around 1,000 common English verbs that you’ll actually hear and use every day. No dusty textbook filler, just action words that keep your sentences moving. Put these common verbs to work while reading Hansel and Gretel at A2 level.
Inside the interactive table, you’ll get US IPA for clear pronunciation, a plain-English meaning, and a real-world example sentence. There’s also a play button next to every word, so you can listen as you learn — your ears need practice too.
Ready to level up your everyday English without the yawns? Scroll to the bottom of the article for the free printable common english verbs vocabulary list PDF and the free downloadable printable common english verbs flashcards.
Verbs alone won’t make you fluent, though. You need chunks you can actually speak. Our free English lessons teach you practical phrases with audio and speaking practice — start at the intro page or jump straight into Lesson 1: First Greetings.
Quick Quiz
<p>Think you already know a bunch of these? Try the quick quiz below to test yourself, then use the table to plug any gaps.</p>
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| Word | IPA | Meaning | Example | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| edited | /ˈɛdətɪd/ | prepared text or video by making changes | She edited the article before it was published. | |
| Educate | /ˈɛdʒʊkeɪt/ | To teach someone, especially using the formal system of school, college, or university | The school aims to educate children well. | |
| effect | /ɪˈfɛkt/ | to cause something to happen | The new policy will effect major changes. | |
| Elect | /ɪˈlɛkt/ | To decide on or choose, especially to choose a person for a particular job, by voting | They elected him as the new president. | |
| elected | /ɪˈlɛktɪd/ | chosen by voting | She was elected class president last week. | |
| /ˈiːmeɪl/ | to send a message electronically | Please email the details today. | ||
| Employ | /ɪmˈplɔɪ/ | To give someone a job | The factory employs 500 people. | |
| enabled | /ɪˈneɪbəld/ | made something possible or active | The update enabled users to save files faster. | |
| encourage | /ɪnˈkɝɪdʒ/ | to give someone confidence or support | Teachers should encourage students to ask questions. | |
| enhance | /ɪnˈhæns/ | to improve the quality or value of something | Good lighting can enhance the room's appearance. | |
| Enjoy | /ɛnˈdʒɔɪ/ | To like doing something | I enjoy reading. | |
| Enroll | /ɪnˈroʊl/ | To join a course | I want to enroll in the class. | |
| ensure | /ɪnˈʃʊr/ | to make sure something happens | Please ensure the door is locked. | |
| Enter | /ˈɛntər/ | To go into a place | Please knock before you enter the room. | |
| entered | /ˈɛntɚd/ | went into a place | She entered the room quietly after the meeting started. | |
| Escape | /ɪˈskeɪp/ | To get free from something or to avoid something | The bird escaped from its cage. | |
| establish | /ɪˈstæblɪʃ/ | to start or create something officially | They plan to establish a new office in Chicago. | |
| Estimate | /ˈɛstɪmeɪt/ | A guess of cost or size | Give me a cost estimate. | |
| evaluate | /ɪˈvæljueɪt/ | judge the quality or value of something | Teachers evaluate students at the end of the term. | |
| Evaporate | /ɪˈvæpəˌreɪt/ | Turn to gas | Water will evaporate. | |
| evidence | /ˈɛvɪdəns/ | to provide proof for something | The records evidence his presence at the meeting. | |
| Exchange | /ɪksˈʧeɪnʤ/ | To give something and receive something else | I'd like to exchange this shirt for a smaller size. | |
| Excuse | /ɪkˈskjus/ | To forgive someone | Excuse me, where is the station? | |
| exist | /ɪɡˈzɪst/ | to be real or present | Do you think life exists on other planets? | |
| exists | /ɪɡˈzɪsts/ | is real or present | A simple solution exists for this problem. |
Free Common English Verbs PDF and Flashcards to Download
Grab the purple vocab-list button to download the common english verbs vocabulary list, and use the teal flashcards button for the common english verbs flashcards. Both are 100% free with no signup required.
