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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raise | /reɪz/ | To lift something to a higher position | Raise your hand if you know the answer. | |
| raised | /reɪzd/ | lifted something to a higher position | She raised her hand to ask a question. | |
| ran | /ræn/ | moved quickly on foot; past of run | She ran to catch the bus. | |
| range | /reɪndʒ/ | to vary between limits | Prices range from ten to fifty dollars. | |
| rate | /reɪt/ | to judge quality or value | Customers rate the service highly. | |
| rated | /ˈreɪtɪd/ | judged at a certain level | The hotel is rated five stars. | |
| rating | /ˈreɪtɪŋ/ | judging quality or value | Experts are rating the new product. | |
| Reach | /riːtʃ/ | To arrive at a place especially after spending a long time or a lot of effort travelling | We reached London at 6 PM. | |
| reached | /ritʃt/ | arrived at a place or achieved something | We reached the station just before the train left. | |
| React | /riˈækt/ | To act in a particular way as a direct result of something else | How did he react to the news? | |
| read | /rid/ | to look at and understand words | Read the book. | |
| reading | /ˈriːdɪŋ/ | looking at and understanding written words | He is reading a book by the window. | |
| Realize | /ˈriəlaɪz/ | To understand a situation, sometimes suddenly | I realized that I had forgotten my keys. | |
| reason | /ˈrizən/ | to think logically | We reasoned that waiting was safer. | |
| Recall | /rɪˈkɔl/ | To bring the memory of a past event into your mind | I can't recall his name. | |
| Receive | /rɪˈsiːv/ | To get or be given something | I received a letter from him. | |
| received | /rɪˈsivd/ | got something that was sent or given | I received your message this morning. | |
| receiving | /rɪˈsivɪŋ/ | getting something that is sent or given | He is receiving treatment at the local hospital. | |
| Recognize | /ˈrɛkəɡnaɪz/ | To know someone or something because you have seen or heard him or her or experienced it before | I didn't recognize you with your new haircut. | |
| recognized | /ˈrɛkəɡˌnaɪzd/ | identified someone or something known before | I recognized her voice immediately. | |
| Recommend | /ˌrɛkəˈmɛnd/ | To suggest that someone or something would be good or suitable for a particular job or purpose | I can recommend the chicken in mushroom sauce. | |
| record | /rɪˈkɔrd/ | store sound, video, or information | Please record the meeting for later. | |
| Recover | /rɪˈkʌvər/ | To become completely well again after an illness or injury | It took her a long time to recover from her heart operation. | |
| Recycle | /rɪˈsaɪkəl/ | Process to reuse | Recycle old electronics. | |
| Redo | /ˌriːˈdoʊ/ | Do again | Redo the action. |
Free Common English Verbs PDF and Flashcards to Download
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