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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invest | /ɪnˈvɛst/ | To put money effort time etc into something to make a profit or get an advantage | He invested his money in stocks. | |
| Investigate | /ɪnˈvɛstɪɡeɪt/ | To carefully examine the facts of a situation | The police are investigating the crime. | |
| investing | /ɪnˈvɛstɪŋ/ | putting money into something to earn more | She is investing in a small local business. | |
| Invite | /ɪnˈvaɪt/ | To ask or request someone to go to an event | I will invite them to the party. | |
| Involve | /ɪnˈvɑlv/ | If an activity situation etc involves something that thing is a part of the activity etc | The job involves a lot of travelling. | |
| Is | /ɪz/ | Third person singular present of be | He is a teacher. | |
| issue | /ˈɪʃuː/ | to officially give or send out | The office will issue new permits tomorrow. | |
| Join | /dʒɔɪn/ | To get involved in an activity or journey with another person or group | Would you like to join us for dinner? | |
| joined | /dʒɔɪnd/ | became part of a group | She joined the club last month. | |
| jump | /dʒʌmp/ | to push yourself into the air | Jump up high. | |
| Justify | /ˈdʒʌstɪfaɪ/ | To give a good reason for something | How can you justify your bad behavior? | |
| Keep | /kip/ | To have or continue to have in your possession | You can keep the change. | |
| kept | /kɛpt/ | continued to have or held onto | She kept all her letters in a box. | |
| kick | /kɪk/ | to hit with your foot | Kick the ball. | |
| Kill | /kɪl/ | To cause someone or something to die | Smoking can kill you. | |
| killed | /kɪld/ | caused someone or something to die | The disease killed many trees in the area. | |
| Kiss | /kɪs/ | To touch with your lips especially as a greeting or to show love or sexual desire | She kissed her children goodnight. | |
| Knock | /nɑk/ | To hit a door to get someone's attention | Please knock on the door before you enter. | |
| know | /noʊ/ | to have information | I know the answer. | |
| known | /noʊn/ | recognized or understood before | She had known him since childhood. | |
| knows | /noʊz/ | has information or understanding about something | She knows the answer but wants others to try first. | |
| Lack | /læk/ | The fact that something is not available or that there is not enough of it | There is a lack of food in the area. | |
| land | /lænd/ | come down to the ground | The plane will land at noon. | |
| Laugh | /læf/ | To make a sound showing you are happy | The joke made everyone laugh. | |
| Launch | /lɔntʃ/ | To begin something such as a plan or introduce something new | The company launched a new product. |
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.
