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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promote | /prəˈmoʊt/ | To raise someone to a higher or more important position | She was promoted to manager. | |
| Pronounce | /prəˈnaʊns/ | To say a word or a letter in a particular way | How do you pronounce this word? | |
| Propose | /prəˈpoʊz/ | To offer or suggest a possible plan or action | I propose that we delay the meeting. | |
| Protect | /prəˈtɛkt/ | To keep someone or something safe from injury damage or loss | We must protect the environment. | |
| Prove | /pruːv/ | To show a particular result after a period of time | The operation proved to be successful. | |
| Provide | /prəˈvaɪd/ | To give someone something that they need | The hotel provides clean towels. | |
| Provided | /prəˈvaɪ.dɪd/ | If, or only if | You can go provided you finish your homework. | |
| provides | /prəˈvaɪdz/ | gives something needed | The school provides free lunch for children. | |
| providing | /prəˈvaɪdɪŋ/ | giving something needed or wanted | The school is providing free lunches this summer. | |
| Publish | /ˈpʌblɪʃ/ | To make information available to people | They publish a new magazine every month. | |
| published | /ˈpʌblɪʃt/ | made available for people to read | The newspaper published the story yesterday. | |
| Pull | /pʊl/ | To move something towards yourself sometimes with great physical effort | Push the door don't pull it. | |
| Pump | /pʌmp/ | A piece of equipment that is used to cause liquid or gas to move | We need a water pump. | |
| Punch | /pʌnʧ/ | To hit someone or something with your fist | He punched the wall in anger. | |
| Purchase | /ˈpɜrʧəs/ | To buy something | Tickets must be purchased in advance. | |
| purchased | /ˈpɝːtʃəst/ | bought something | They purchased new chairs for the office. | |
| Pursue | /pərˈsu/ | To follow someone or something | The police pursued the stolen car. | |
| Push | /pʊʃ/ | To use physical pressure or force especially with your hands in order to move something into a different position usually one that is further away from you | Push the button to start the machine. | |
| put | /pʊt/ | to place something | Put the book on the desk. | |
| putting | /ˈpʊtɪŋ/ | placing something somewhere | He is putting the books back on the shelf. | |
| Qualify | /ˈkwɒlɪfaɪ/ | To successfully finish a training course | She recently qualified as a doctor. | |
| question | /ˈkwɛstʃən/ | to express doubt about something | They question the final decision. | |
| Quit | /kwɪt/ | To stop doing something or leave a job | He quit his job yesterday. | |
| Quote | /kwoʊt/ | To repeat the words that someone else has said or written | He quoted a famous poem in his speech. | |
| Raining | /ˈreɪ.nɪŋ/ | Water falling from the sky in drops | It is raining heavily. |
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.
