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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Browse the Full List
| Word | IPA | Meaning | Example | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| paying | /ˈpeɪɪŋ/ | giving money for something | She is paying for dinner tonight. | |
| Perform | /pərˈfɔrm/ | To entertain people by dancing singing acting or playing music | The band will perform tonight. | |
| performed | /pərˈfɔrmd/ | did an action or entertained an audience | The band performed three songs at the festival. | |
| performing | /pərˈfɔrmɪŋ/ | entertaining people by acting, singing, or playing music | The band is performing at the park tonight. | |
| Permit | /pərˈmɪt/ | To allow something | Smoking is not permitted here. | |
| Persuade | /pərˈsweɪd/ | To make someone do or believe something | I persuaded him to come. | |
| phone | /foʊn/ | to call someone by telephone | Please phone me after work. | |
| photo | /ˈfoʊtoʊ/ | to photograph something | Tourists photo the old bridge daily. | |
| Pick | /pɪk/ | To take some things and leave others | Pick a number from one to ten. | |
| pick up | /pɪk ʌp/ | to lift something | Pick up the pencil. | |
| picks | /pɪks/ | chooses or takes something from a group | He picks a different tie every morning. | |
| picture | /ˈpɪktʃər/ | to imagine something in your mind | I can picture the house clearly. | |
| pictures | /ˈpɪktʃɚz/ | imagines something in the mind | He pictures success every day. | |
| place | /pleɪs/ | to put something somewhere | Place the books on the table. | |
| plan | /plæn/ | to decide steps in advance | We plan the trip every summer. | |
| plans | /plænz/ | prepares or decides in advance | He plans his week every Sunday. | |
| plant | /plænt/ | to put seeds or plants in soil | They plant tomatoes every spring. | |
| play | /pleɪ/ | to do activities for fun | Play a game. | |
| please | /pliz/ | to make someone happy or satisfied | The gift will please your mother. | |
| Plug | /plʌg/ | A plastic object used to connect equipment to electricity | Put the plug in the socket. | |
| point | /pɔɪnt/ | to show with your finger | Point to the dog. | |
| police | /pəˈlis/ | to control and keep order | Officers police the area at night. | |
| pop | /pɑp/ | to burst or appear suddenly | The balloon may pop in the heat. | |
| Possess | /pəˈzɛs/ | To have or own something | He possesses a lot of wealth. | |
| post | /poʊst/ | to publish online or send by mail | She will post the photo tonight. |
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.
