The 100 Most Common English Verbs

to exist, or to have a particular quality or identity

She is a nurse at the city hospital.

verb · #2 in the corpus overall · 32,622.71 times per million words

to own or hold something, or to experience it

They have two children.

verb · #11 in the corpus overall · 10,588.23 times per million words

to perform an action; also used to form questions and negatives

I do the shopping on Saturdays.

verb · #15 in the corpus overall · 8,244.7 times per million words

to speak words, or to express something in words

He said he would call back later.

verb · #26 in the corpus overall · 4,125.2 times per million words

to move or travel from one place to another

We go to the beach every summer.

verb · #31 in the corpus overall · 3,571.65 times per million words

to receive or obtain something, or to become

I got a letter from my sister.

verb · #34 in the corpus overall · 3,371.14 times per million words

to be able to do something, or to be allowed to

She can speak three languages.

verb · #37 in the corpus overall · 3,113.52 times per million words

to have information about something, or to be familiar with someone

I know the answer to that question.

verb · #39 in the corpus overall · 2,781.03 times per million words

used to talk about the future or to make a decision at the moment of speaking

I will help you carry those bags.

verb · #47 in the corpus overall · 2,391.52 times per million words

used for polite requests, offers, and imagined situations

I would travel more if I had the time.

verb · #49 in the corpus overall · 2,365.91 times per million words

to create or produce something, or to cause something to happen

He makes his own bread every week.

verb · #50 in the corpus overall · 2,306.93 times per million words

to have an opinion, or to use your mind to consider something

I think this is the right decision.

verb · #53 in the corpus overall · 2,092.36 times per million words

to notice something with your eyes, or to understand it

I saw her at the station this morning.

verb · #56 in the corpus overall · 1,972.46 times per million words

to move towards the speaker or to arrive somewhere

Come here and look at this.

verb · #61 in the corpus overall · 1,814.82 times per million words

to get hold of something, or to carry it somewhere

Please take an umbrella with you.

verb · #63 in the corpus overall · 1,780.53 times per million words

to wish for or desire something

She wants a quieter place to live.

verb · #68 in the corpus overall · 1,683.27 times per million words

the past of 'can'; also used for polite requests and possibility

Could you open the window, please?

verb · #75 in the corpus overall · 1,540.54 times per million words

to turn your eyes towards something, or to seem a certain way

You look tired this morning.

verb · #81 in the corpus overall · 1,347.88 times per million words

to do something with a tool, method, or object for a purpose

I use this app to track my spending.

verb · #91 in the corpus overall · 1,133.95 times per million words

to give someone information by speaking to them

Tell me what happened yesterday.

verb · #92 in the corpus overall · 1,127.56 times per million words

to discover something, especially after looking for it

I finally found my keys under the sofa.

verb · #97 in the corpus overall · 1,059.33 times per million words

to hand something to someone or let them have it

She gave me her phone number.

verb · #98 in the corpus overall · 1,055.55 times per million words

to require something because it is necessary

We need more time to finish this.

verb · #107 in the corpus overall · 952.14 times per million words

used to give advice or say what is the right thing to do

You should see a doctor about that cough.

verb · #110 in the corpus overall · 927.38 times per million words

to do a job, or (of a machine) to function properly

He works in a small design studio.

verb · #115 in the corpus overall · 860.1 times per million words

to make an effort to do something

I tried to call you three times.

verb · #121 in the corpus overall · 800.84 times per million words

to allow someone to do something

My parents let me stay out late.

verb · #122 in the corpus overall · 786.42 times per million words

to telephone someone, or to give someone or something a name

I'll call you when I get home.

verb · #125 in the corpus overall · 773.51 times per million words

used to say something is possible, or to ask permission politely

It may rain later this afternoon.

verb · #127 in the corpus overall · 763.07 times per million words

to have a particular sense or intention

What does this word mean?

verb · #130 in the corpus overall · 754.1 times per million words

to experience an emotion or physical sensation

I feel much better today.

verb · #136 in the corpus overall · 727.9 times per million words

to put a question to someone, or to request something

She asked me where I was going.

verb · #143 in the corpus overall · 681.35 times per million words

to speak with someone about something

We talked for hours about the trip.

verb · #149 in the corpus overall · 640.08 times per million words

to continue having something, or to continue doing something

Keep your ticket until the end of the journey.

verb · #151 in the corpus overall · 630.89 times per million words

to go away from a place, or to let something stay behind

The train leaves at nine o'clock.

verb · #152 in the corpus overall · 627.03 times per million words

to move something into a particular place or position

Put the milk back in the fridge.

verb · #153 in the corpus overall · 621.29 times per million words

to enjoy something or find it pleasant

I like walking in the rain.

verb · #154 in the corpus overall · 619.01 times per million words

to make it easier for someone to do something

Can you help me move this table?

verb · #155 in the corpus overall · 610.55 times per million words

to begin doing something, or to make something begin

The film starts in ten minutes.

verb · #162 in the corpus overall · 582.31 times per million words

to begin to be something

She became a teacher after university.

verb · #167 in the corpus overall · 565.24 times per million words

to take place, especially without being planned

Nobody knows what happened that night.

verb · #170 in the corpus overall · 556.68 times per million words

to let someone see something, or to explain how to do it

Show me the photos from your trip.

verb · #177 in the corpus overall · 540.66 times per million words

to appear to be a certain way

He seems happy in his new job.

verb · #181 in the corpus overall · 526.61 times per million words

used to say something is possible but not certain

We might go to Spain this summer.

verb · #182 in the corpus overall · 525.66 times per million words

to notice a sound with your ears

I couldn't hear you over the music.

verb · #184 in the corpus overall · 520.11 times per million words

to think something is true

I believe she's telling the truth.

verb · #189 in the corpus overall · 504.03 times per million words

to take part in a game or sport, or to make music

They play football every Sunday.

verb · #196 in the corpus overall · 481.38 times per million words

to move so you face a different direction, or to become

Turn left at the traffic lights.

verb · #197 in the corpus overall · 481.02 times per million words

to move quickly on foot, or to manage something

She runs five kilometres every morning.

verb · #202 in the corpus overall · 468.33 times per million words

to have your home somewhere, or to be alive

They live in a flat near the park.

verb · #209 in the corpus overall · 453.54 times per million words

to produce words on paper or a screen

He wrote me a long letter.

verb · #212 in the corpus overall · 442.96 times per million words

to carry or take something with you to a place

Bring your passport to the interview.

verb · #213 in the corpus overall · 442.53 times per million words

to change position or place

We moved to a bigger house last year.

verb · #227 in the corpus overall · 433.35 times per million words

used to say something is necessary or very likely

You must wear a helmet on the site.

verb · #228 in the corpus overall · 430.8 times per million words

to start doing something or to start happening

The lesson begins at half past two.

verb · #232 in the corpus overall · 424.84 times per million words

to care about someone very much, or to enjoy something greatly

I love the smell of fresh coffee.

verb · #233 in the corpus overall · 420.47 times per million words

to keep something in your hand, or to contain something

She held the baby carefully.

verb · #235 in the corpus overall · 416.74 times per million words

to look at words and understand their meaning

I read two books on holiday.

verb · #244 in the corpus overall · 388.85 times per million words

to end an action, or to no longer move

The bus stopped outside the school.

verb · #257 in the corpus overall · 369.14 times per million words

to give money for something

I paid for the tickets online.

verb · #258 in the corpus overall · 367.82 times per million words

to give someone something they need

The hotel provides towels and soap.

verb · #272 in the corpus overall · 354.41 times per million words

to no longer have something, or to fail to win

I always lose my umbrella on the train.

verb · #273 in the corpus overall · 354.12 times per million words

to know what something means or why it happens

I don't understand this question.

verb · #277 in the corpus overall · 351.59 times per million words

to stay somewhere until something happens

We waited twenty minutes for the bus.

verb · #289 in the corpus overall · 342.31 times per million words

to come together with someone, or to get to know them

Let's meet outside the cinema.

verb · #294 in the corpus overall · 336.3 times per million words

to tell someone you are grateful

I thanked her for all her help.

verb · #300 in the corpus overall · 332.45 times per million words

to become different, or to make something different

The weather changed very quickly.

verb · #304 in the corpus overall · 329.94 times per million words

to look at something for a period of time

We watched the sunset from the balcony.

verb · #315 in the corpus overall · 321.01 times per million words

to rest with your weight on your bottom

Sit down and make yourself comfortable.

verb · #318 in the corpus overall · 317.24 times per million words

to make something new exist

The law created thousands of new jobs.

verb · #319 in the corpus overall · 316.84 times per million words

to get knowledge or a skill through study or experience

She's learning to play the guitar.

verb · #322 in the corpus overall · 314.85 times per million words

to cause someone or something to die

The frost killed all the young plants.

verb · #325 in the corpus overall · 309.46 times per million words

to have something as one of its parts

The price includes breakfast.

verb · #328 in the corpus overall · 306.33 times per million words

to be on your feet in an upright position

He stood by the window for a long time.

verb · #329 in the corpus overall · 305.59 times per million words

to go after someone, or to do what a rule says

Follow this road until the roundabout.

verb · #332 in the corpus overall · 302.38 times per million words

to keep something in your mind or bring it back to mind

I can't remember her surname.

verb · #334 in the corpus overall · 300.32 times per million words

to say words, or to be able to use a language

Do you speak Portuguese?

verb · #337 in the corpus overall · 297.6 times per million words

to put something in a place, or to fix a time or level

They set the meeting for Friday morning.

verb · #339 in the corpus overall · 295.2 times per million words

to let someone do something

The school doesn't allow phones in class.

verb · #346 in the corpus overall · 290.59 times per million words

to come first in a competition or fight

Our team won the final on penalties.

verb · #347 in the corpus overall · 290.33 times per million words

to guide a group, or to result in something

This path leads to the lake.

verb · #349 in the corpus overall · 287.75 times per million words

to keep happening or keep doing something

The rain continued all afternoon.

verb · #350 in the corpus overall · 284.34 times per million words

to use money, or to pass time doing something

We spent the weekend in the mountains.

verb · #353 in the corpus overall · 282.34 times per million words

to remain in a place or condition

Stay here until I come back.

verb · #361 in the corpus overall · 277.44 times per million words

to put something with something else to increase it

Add a little salt to the sauce.

verb · #362 in the corpus overall · 277.17 times per million words

to stop living

The old oak tree died last winter.

verb · #371 in the corpus overall · 266.4 times per million words

to get something by paying money for it

I bought these shoes online.

verb · #375 in the corpus overall · 262.03 times per million words

to make something go somewhere, especially a message

She sent me a photo of the house.

verb · #382 in the corpus overall · 258.11 times per million words

to move on foot at a normal speed

I walk to work when the weather is good.

verb · #384 in the corpus overall · 255.45 times per million words

to get bigger, or to make plants develop

These tomatoes grow well in pots.

verb · #390 in the corpus overall · 250.55 times per million words

to move something so it is no longer closed

Could you open the window?

verb · #392 in the corpus overall · 248.78 times per million words

to think about something carefully before deciding

We're considering moving to a smaller town.

verb · #395 in the corpus overall · 246.36 times per million words

to want something to happen and think it might

I hope you feel better soon.

verb · #413 in the corpus overall · 237.6 times per million words

to ask someone if they would like something

They offered her the job on the spot.

verb · #418 in the corpus overall · 235.83 times per million words

to make something by putting parts together

They're building a new bridge over the river.

verb · #425 in the corpus overall · 231.69 times per million words

to think that something will happen

We expect the parcel to arrive on Tuesday.

verb · #426 in the corpus overall · 231.47 times per million words

to move down towards the ground, usually by accident

The leaves fall early this year.

verb · #427 in the corpus overall · 230.77 times per million words

to become visible, or to seem

A message appeared on the screen.

verb · #437 in the corpus overall · 222.84 times per million words

to give food or drink to someone, or to be useful for a purpose

Breakfast is served until ten.

verb · #449 in the corpus overall · 215.01 times per million words

to separate into pieces, or to stop working

I broke a glass while washing up.

verb · #450 in the corpus overall · 214.86 times per million words