International English Test Editorial Team·2 Jan 2024·2 min read
This verb list is great for self-learners and those with basic English knowledge, focusing on commonly used verbs.
My goal is to furnish you with a compilation of essential English verbs for “survival,” focusing on the most common ones that form the foundation of the language.
For those in the early stages of learning English, this list will prove immensely beneficial. The verbs are presented in their natural (dictionary) form, as infinitives. While many verbs may have multiple meanings, I’ll provide only the primary or most common meaning for each word. If you’re curious about other definitions, you can consult a dictionary.
What is your English level?
Find out your A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2 level of English with our online test and receive your English certificate.
At times, when independently learning a language, it feels like your advancement hits a plateau. It becomes challenging to muster the motivation to study or comprehend the material.
During such phases, I recommend seeking a tutor who can guide your language development, steer you in the correct direction, and clarify any uncertainties you may have.
As Leonardo da Vinci wisely said, “Learning never exhausts the mind.”
What is your English level?
Find out your A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2 level of English with our online test and receive your English certificate.
Start with the most common action verbs that cover daily needs, such as have, do, make, get, take, go, eat, drink, sleep, speak, read, write, and understand. These survival verbs handle the bulk of basic conversation. The list here gathers around fifty essentials like call, play, drive, buy, pay, help, and work so beginners can express most everyday actions early on.
The verbs appear in their natural dictionary form, the infinitive, because that is the base shape you find when you look a word up. Learning the infinitive first gives you a clean starting point before you add tense endings or irregular changes. From the base form of call, play, or eat, you can then build past, present, and future versions as your grammar grows.
Many English verbs carry several meanings, but this list gives only the main or most common one for each word so beginners are not overwhelmed. For example, get and take both have many uses, yet a learner only needs the core sense at first. If you want the additional definitions of any word, a dictionary will list the full range for you.
A handful of fixed phrases help you sound natural in common situations. Useful ones include do your best, work hard, tell the time, start the car, and get drunk. These short expressions pair verbs with everyday contexts, so memorising them as whole chunks is more practical than translating each word separately when you speak.
Plateaus are normal when you study alone, and motivation often dips when the material stops feeling fresh. A practical step is to find a tutor who can guide your progress, point you in the right direction, and clear up any confusion. As Leonardo da Vinci put it, learning never exhausts the mind, so a guided push usually restarts your momentum.
Yes, the list is built for self-learners and people with only basic English. It focuses on the high-frequency verbs that form the foundation of the language, so independent students can cover the most useful words without a structured course. Once these verbs feel comfortable, you can expand into extra meanings, tenses, and a tutor's guidance for steady improvement.
International English Test Editorial Team
ALTE Associate Member · UK English assessment provider · Est. 2023
