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
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| Word | IPA | Meaning | Example | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miss | /mɪs/ | To fail to do or experience something often something planned or expected or to avoid doing or experiencing something | I missed the bus this morning. | |
| missed | /mɪst/ | did not catch, attend, or notice | I missed the bus because I left home late. | |
| Mix | /mɪks/ | To combine two or more substances so that they become a single substance | Mix the flour and water together. | |
| model | /ˈmɑdəl/ | to show or create a representation | Engineers model the bridge on computers. | |
| modify | /ˈmɑdəˌfaɪ/ | to change something slightly | You can modify the plan if costs rise. | |
| mortgage | /ˈmɔrɡɪdʒ/ | to borrow money using property as security | They decided to mortgage the house. | |
| Move | /muːv/ | To change position or to go from one place to another | Please don't move. | |
| moves | /muz/ | changes position or goes somewhere | The cat moves quietly through the garden. | |
| Must | /mʌst/ | Used to show that it is necessary or very important that something happens in the present or future | I must go now. | |
| Navigate | /ˈnævɪˌɡeɪt/ | To find a way through | I will navigate using GPS. | |
| Need | /nid/ | To must have something | I need water. | |
| needed | /ˈniːdɪd/ | required something | We needed more time to finish. | |
| needs | /niːdz/ | requires something important | The baby needs a warm blanket. | |
| Negotiate | /nɪˈgoʊʃieɪt/ | To have formal discussions with someone in order to reach an agreement with them | The government refused to negotiate with the terrorists. | |
| note | /noʊt/ | to notice or write down | Please note the change in schedule. | |
| noted | /ˈnoʊtɪd/ | noticed and recorded | She noted the main ideas during the meeting. | |
| notes | /noʊts/ | records or notices something | He notes every change in the report. | |
| Notice | /ˈnoʊtɪs/ | To see or become conscious of something or someone | Did you notice her new haircut? | |
| notify | /ˈnoʊtəˌfaɪ/ | to officially tell someone something | Please notify me if the meeting time changes. | |
| object | /əbˈdʒɛkt/ | to express disagreement | I object to that unfair decision. | |
| Observe | /əbˈzɜrv/ | To watch carefully | He observed the birds. | |
| observed | /əbˈzɝvd/ | saw or noticed carefully | The scientist observed changes in the water temperature. | |
| obtain | /əbˈteɪn/ | to get something | You need a passport to obtain a visa. | |
| Occur | /əˈkɜr/ | To happen | The accident occurred yesterday. | |
| occurred | /əˈkɝd/ | happened or took place | The accident occurred late at night. |
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.
