What is a Verb? Definitions, Examples, and Comprehensive List

Verbs are the most powerful part of speech in the English language—yet most writers misuse them, underuse them, or barely understand what they do.

After helping over 130 clients write everything from thought leadership content to bestselling books, I’ve seen one issue show up repeatedly: weak verbs weaken the writing. Strong verbs, on the other hand, make your message sharper, clearer, and more compelling—whether you're writing a blog, a business email, or a book.

In this guide, you'll learn exactly what a verb is, the different types of verbs (including action, linking, auxiliary, transitive, intransitive, and more), how verbs function in real-world sentences, and how to use them effectively in your own writing. If you’ve ever felt unsure about verb tenses, confused about helping verbs, or just want to write with more precision, this is for you.

What Is a Verb in English Grammar?

At its core, a verb is a word that expresses an action, an occurrence, or a state of being. It tells us what the subject of a sentence is doing, what is happening, or what condition exists. Without verbs, there would be no movement, no energy, no communication. Every complete sentence requires at least one verb—it’s the engine that drives meaning.

In grammatical terms, verbs are one of the eight parts of speech. Unlike nouns or adjectives, which describe things or qualities, verbs show what’s happening. They answer the question: What is the subject doing? or What state is the subject in?

Verbs can be as simple as “run,” “is,” or “think,” and as complex as “will have been waiting.” They also change forms based on tense, voice, mood, and person—which is why they’re often the trickiest part of grammar for both native speakers and learners of the English language.

Let’s break down the core definition further:

A verb is a content word that shows the action, state, or experience of the subject and is essential to forming a complete sentence.

For example:

• She writes. (“writes” shows action)

• They are tired. (“are” shows a state of being)

• It happened suddenly. (“happened” shows an occurrence)

No matter how long or complex a sentence is, if it doesn’t have a verb, it isn’t grammatically complete.

Why Verbs Are the Backbone of Effective Writing

Why Verbs Are the Backbone of Effective Writing

Most people think writing well means using fancy words or sounding “smart.” But as a writing coach and ghostwriter, I can tell you this: strong verbs are far more powerful than big words. In fact, the difference between mediocre and masterful writing often comes down to your verbs.

Verbs are where your writing breathes. They inject energy, direction, and purpose into every sentence. If you want your writing to be clear, concise, and memorable—verbs are where you start.

Let’s look at an example:

• The report was given by the manager in the afternoon.

• The manager delivered the report in the afternoon.

Same meaning. Completely different impact.

The first sentence uses passive voice and a vague linking verb (“was given”). The second uses a strong, active verb (“delivered”) that clarifies who did what. It's shorter, clearer, and more professional.

Strong verbs:

• Reduce wordiness

• Clarify intent

• Create momentum

• Improve tone and authority

• Make you sound like a confident communicator

This is why I coach clients to focus on verbs first when editing. Swapping out weak, overused verbs like is, was, do, make, get, or have for more precise alternatives often improves writing instantly.

Whether you're writing an article, a pitch, or an email to a stakeholder, your verbs are doing the heavy lifting. Use the wrong ones—and your message falls flat. Use the right ones—and people pay attention.

Main Categories of Verbs (With Examples)

To use verbs effectively in your writing, you need to understand their main categories. Not all verbs behave the same way. Some express direct action, others describe a state or relationship, and some help other verbs form complete meanings.

Here are the primary types of verbs you need to know as a writer, communicator, or professional. I’ve included definitions, examples, and writing insights for each—so you not only know what they are, but how to use them to write better.

We'll explore:

• Action verbs – for movement and momentum

• Linking verbs – for states and descriptions

• Helping verbs (auxiliary verbs) – for forming tense, mood, and voice

• Transitive verbs – that need a direct object

• Intransitive verbs – that stand alone

• Stative verbs – for mental or emotional states

• Phrasal verbs – multi-word verbs with unique meanings

Whether you're writing persuasive copy, technical content, or storytelling prose, mastering these categories gives you more control over your tone and clarity.

Let’s break them down one by one.

Action Verbs

Action verbs are the most dynamic and straightforward type of verb. They describe something a subject does—either physically or mentally. These are the verbs that give your writing motion, clarity, and energy. They help readers visualize what’s happening and who’s making it happen.

If you want punchy, authoritative writing, start by using more action verbs and fewer vague or passive alternatives.

There are two kinds of action verbs:

1. Physical action verbs

These describe observable, tangible actions:

• run, write, build, kick, deliver, speak

The team launched the campaign last week.
She kicked the ball across the field.

2. Mental action verbs

These describe internal processes or decisions:

• think, believe, consider, know, decide, remember

He considered the risks before investing.
They understand the importance of timing.

Notice how action verbs immediately clarify who is doing what. In fact, in my work with clients, switching out a weak or passive construction for a stronger action verb is often the single most impactful change we make.

Let’s compare:

Example 1:

• The proposal was made by the assistant.

• The assistant submitted the proposal.

Example 2:

• Mistakes were occurring during testing.

• The engineers made critical errors during testing.

In each improved version, the subject performs the action directly, making the sentence clearer and stronger.

When in doubt, ask yourself:

“Can I use a stronger, more specific verb to say this in fewer words?”

Action verbs are also essential for writing in the active voice, which is more engaging, professional, and reader-friendly than passive voice.

Linking Verbs (aka Copular Verbs)

While action verbs show what someone does, linking verbs describe what someone is. These verbs don’t express action—they connect the subject of a sentence to a subject complement, which could be a noun, pronoun, or adjective that describes or renames the subject.

That’s why they’re often called copular verbs—they couple or link the subject to more information.

Common Linking Verbs:

• be (is, am, are, was, were)

• become

• seem

• appear

• feel

• look

• sound

• remain

Example:

She is a leader.
The results seem promising.
They became frustrated during the delay.

In each example, the linking verb connects the subject to something that defines or describes it.

Important tip: If you can replace the verb with a form of “to be” without changing the meaning, you’re likely dealing with a linking verb.

Linking Verbs vs Action Verbs

Some verbs can be either linking or action verbs depending on context:

• He looked tired. → Linking verb (describing his state)

• He looked through the files. → Action verb (describing what he did)

In writing, linking verbs are often necessary, especially when describing states, emotions, or conditions. However, overusing them—particularly forms of “to be”—can make your writing dull or static.

As a writing coach, I often recommend replacing weak linking verb constructions with more vivid verbs when possible:

Instead of:

• The presentation was boring.

You can say:

• The presentation dragged on without direction.

You don’t need to eliminate linking verbs completely—but using them intentionally will give your writing more variety and flow.

Helping Verbs (Auxiliary Verbs)

Helping verbs, also known as auxiliary verbs, work alongside main verbs to express tense, voice, mood, or possibility. They don’t carry meaning on their own—instead, they “help” complete the verb phrase and clarify what’s happening.

Think of auxiliary verbs as grammatical assistants. Without them, you couldn’t form questions, negatives, or complex verb tenses.

Common Helping (Auxiliary) Verbs:

Primary auxiliaries:

• be (am, is, are, was, were, being, been)

• have (have, has, had)

• do (do, does, did)

Modal auxiliaries:

• can, could

• will, would

• shall, should

• may, might

• must

Examples:

She is writing a report.
They have finished the task.
We did not agree with the proposal.
You should consider revising the timeline.
He might be traveling next week.

Each of these sentences contains a main verb (writing, finished, agree, consider, traveling) supported by one or more helping verbs.

Auxiliary verbs are critical in forming:

• Tenses: have eaten, was running, will arrive

• Questions: Do you agree?, Have they left?

• Negatives: He did not attend, They haven’t replied

• Passive voice: The document was signed, The work has been completed

Modal Verbs: Possibility & Necessity

Modal verbs (like should, must, might, could) express intent, ability, permission, or obligation. These are especially common in business writing and formal communication.

Examples:

You must submit the report by Monday.
We might need to adjust the budget.
She can lead the presentation.

These modal auxiliary verbs change the tone of your writing. Compare:

• We submit the report by Monday.

• We must submit the report by Monday.
  → The second sounds more urgent and directive.

In coaching clients, I often see overuse of vague modals like could or might—which weaken authority. Use them deliberately.

When editing your writing, always check:

Is my helping verb necessary—or is it making the sentence longer or weaker than it needs to be?

Transitive Verbs

A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object to complete its meaning. Without that object, the sentence feels incomplete or confusing. The action needs to “transfer” to something—or someone.

That’s actually where the word transitive comes from: it implies that the action of the verb transfers from the subject to a direct object.

Examples of Transitive Verbs in Action:

1. She wrote a book.
→ “Wrote” is the transitive verb. “Book” is the direct object.
2. The manager approved the proposal.
3. They watched the documentary.

If we remove the object in any of those sentences, the meaning falls apart:

• She wrote. → Wrote what?

• The manager approved. → Approved what?

A direct object answers the question “what?” or “whom?” after the verb.

Tip: If you can ask “what?” after the verb and get an answer, it’s transitive.

Common Transitive Verbs:

• build, write, buy, bring, send, tell, offer, love, eat, ask

In business and nonfiction writing, transitive verbs are essential. They allow you to express ideas with precision and clarity—especially when dealing with people, processes, and outcomes.

1. The client requested a revision.
2. Our team delivered the final product.

Each verb here transfers the action to a specific result. That’s the power of transitive verbs: they anchor your writing in action and outcome.

Overuse of weak transitive verbs (like make, do, give) can lead to vague writing. Instead of “She made a decision,” write “She decided.”

The more precise your verb, the fewer words you need—and the clearer your writing becomes.

A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object to complete its meaning. Without that object, the sentence feels incomplete or confusing. The action needs to “transfer” to something—or someone.

That’s actually where the word transitive comes from: it implies that the action of the verb transfers from the subject to a direct object.

Examples of Transitive Verbs in Action:

1. She wrote a book.
→ “Wrote” is the transitive verb. “Book” is the direct object.
2. The manager approved the proposal.
3. They watched the documentary.

If we remove the object in any of those sentences, the meaning falls apart:

• She wrote. → Wrote what?

• The manager approved. → Approved what?

A direct object answers the question “what?” or “whom?” after the verb.

Tip: If you can ask “what?” after the verb and get an answer, it’s transitive.

Common Transitive Verbs:

• build, write, buy, bring, send, tell, offer, love, eat, ask

In business and nonfiction writing, transitive verbs are essential. They allow you to express ideas with precision and clarity—especially when dealing with people, processes, and outcomes.

1. The client requested a revision.
2. Our team delivered the final product.

Each verb here transfers the action to a specific result. That’s the power of transitive verbs: they anchor your writing in action and outcome.

Overuse of weak transitive verbs (like make, do, give) can lead to vague writing. Instead of “She made a decision,” write “She decided.”

The more precise your verb, the fewer words you need—and the clearer your writing becomes.

Intransitive Verbs

An intransitive verb is a verb that does not take a direct object. The action stays with the subject—there’s no transfer to another person or thing. The sentence still makes complete sense without needing to answer “what?” or “whom?”

In other words, the action stands alone.

Examples of Intransitive Verbs:

1. She arrived late.
2. They slept peacefully.
3. He laughed loudly.

Try asking “what?” after the verb:

• She arrived — what? 

• They slept — what? 
  → There’s no answer because these verbs don’t act on a direct object.

Quick test: If a verb makes complete sense without a direct object, it’s likely intransitive.

Common Intransitive Verbs:

• arrive, go, sleep, fall, exist, wait, work, occur, happen, appear

Intransitive verbs are especially common when describing movement, emotion, or change of state:

1. The baby cried all night.
2. The sun rose at 6:45 AM.
3. Mistakes happen during high-pressure projects.

While intransitive verbs can stand alone, they’re often followed by adverbial phrases or prepositional phrases to provide context:

1. She runs every morning.
2. They left in a hurry.
3. He speaks with authority.

In coaching sessions, I often highlight how intransitive verbs can create clean, confident sentences—especially when you want to focus attention on the subject’s action without clutter.

Not every verb needs to “do something to something.” Sometimes, just showing the action is enough.

Stative Verbs

Stative verbs describe a state of being, emotion, possession, sense, or mental condition—rather than a dynamic action. Unlike action verbs, they don’t show things happening, but rather things existing or being felt. They describe situations that are static, not in motion.

You can think of stative verbs as expressing conditions of the mind, body, or soul.

Common Stative Verbs:

• believe, know, prefer, love, hate, own, seem, belong, understand, want

Examples:

1. I know the answer.
2. She loves coffee.
3. This book belongs to me.
4. They believe in your vision.

Notice: There’s no clear action you can observe. These verbs describe internal states or relationships between things.

Stative verbs often cannot be used in continuous (progressive) tenses. For example:

Instead of:

• I am knowing the answer.

Say:

• I know the answer.

As a ghostwriter, I often advise clients to be aware of stative verbs because they slow down the rhythm of writing. That’s not always a bad thing—sometimes you want to establish a thoughtful, reflective tone. But in persuasive writing or marketing copy, too many stative verbs can weaken the urgency or vividness of your message.

Use them intentionally. And when in doubt, ask: Can I rephrase this with a stronger, clearer action verb?

Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are multi-word verb phrases made up of a verb + one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs). Together, they form a meaning that’s often different from the original verb.

They’re incredibly common in spoken English and informal writing, but mastering them adds natural fluency to your writing and helps you sound more confident and idiomatic.

The challenge? Their meanings aren’t always literal—and they often confuse learners and professionals alike.

Examples of Phrasal Verbs:

1. She looked up the information.
2. Let’s go over the plan again.
3. They ran into some problems.
4. He gave up too early.

Here, “look up” doesn’t mean to tilt your head—it means to search. That’s what makes phrasal verbs tricky: the full phrase carries a new meaning.

Common Phrasal Verbs in Business Writing:

• follow up (to check in)

• break down (to analyze or fail)

• carry out (to complete)

• bring up (to introduce)

• set up (to establish)

1. We’ll follow up after the meeting.
2. The system broke down under pressure.
3. They carried out the audit.

When writing formally, you may want to replace phrasal verbs with more specific verbs. However, in professional and conversational tone writing (emails, blogs, internal comms), phrasal verbs add clarity and relatability.

As a writing coach, I often tell clients: If you want to sound fluent—but not stiff—phrasal verbs are your friend.

Verb Tenses and Conjugation

Verb tense tells us when an action happens—past, present, or future. But it doesn’t stop there. Within each time period, there are simple, perfect, continuous, and perfect continuous forms. These combinations help us express not only when something happened but also how long it lasted or whether it’s complete.

Mastering verb tenses is critical for clear, professional communication—especially in business, academic, and leadership writing. Misusing tenses is one of the most common mistakes I see when editing my clients’ drafts.

Let’s start with the basics:

The 12 Main English Tenses (With Examples)

Present Tenses:

• Simple present: I write every day.

• Present continuous: I am writing now.

• Present perfect: I have written three articles today.

• Present perfect continuous: I have been writing since this morning.

Past Tenses:

• Simple past: I wrote yesterday.

• Past continuous: I was writing when you called.

• Past perfect: I had written the email before the meeting.

• Past perfect continuous: I had been writing for hours before the deadline.

Future Tenses:

• Simple future: I will write tomorrow.

• Future continuous: I will be writing at noon.

• Future perfect: I will have written the report by Friday.

• Future perfect continuous: I will have been writing for six hours by then.
  
  

Want to sound like a confident communicator? Make sure your verb tenses match your timeline and are consistent throughout.

Verb Conjugation

To use verbs correctly across different tenses, subjects, and moods, you need to understand conjugation. This is the process of changing a verb’s form to match the tense, person, and number of the subject.

In simple terms: Verb conjugation is how we “fit” a verb to the situation.

Here’s how the verb to write is conjugated in the present tense:

• I write

• You write

• He/She/It writes ← (third person singular form)

• We write

• They write

Notice how “writes” changes only for the third person singular. That’s a key conjugation rule in English. Other tenses introduce auxiliary verbs or different forms altogether:

• I wrote (past tense)

• I have written (present perfect)

• I had been writing (past perfect continuous)

• I will write (simple future)

Why Conjugation Matters:

Say:

The team has completed the project.

Instead of:

The team have completed the project. ← subject-verb disagreement

Say:

She runs the department.

Instead of: 

She run the department.

Getting verb conjugation right isn’t just about grammar—it’s about credibility. If your verbs don’t agree with your subjects or align with your timeline, it subtly erodes trust in your message.

As a ghostwriter, I always tell clients: polished writing isn't about fancy vocabulary—it's about clean, confident structure. And conjugation is the foundation.

Regular vs Irregular Verbs

When writing in the past tense or using past participles, verbs in English follow two basic patterns: regular and irregular. Knowing the difference is essential for accurate verb conjugation and maintaining consistent tense.

Regular Verbs

Regular verbs follow a predictable pattern when moving from the present to the past:
Just add -ed (or -d if the verb ends in “e”).

Examples:

• walk → walked

• clean → cleaned

• study → studied

Regular verbs also follow the same pattern for their past participle (used in perfect tenses):
1. She has walked to work every day this month.
2. We had cleaned the room before they arrived.

Irregular Verbs

Irregular verbs, by contrast, don’t follow consistent rules when shifting into past forms. Their past tense and past participle forms must be memorized—because they vary widely.

Examples:

1. He wrote a book last year.
2. They have taken the test multiple times.
3. I had gone to the conference before.

Tip: Always double-check irregular verbs when writing in the present perfect, past perfect, or future perfect tenses. Using the past tense (“wrote”) instead of the past participle (“written”) is a common mistake—even among native speakers.

I often recommend that clients keep a list of the most common irregular verbs handy, especially when writing formal or academic content where verb errors are more noticeable.

How to Use Verbs Effectively in Writing

Verbs are not just grammatical necessities—they’re strategic tools. Choosing the right verb can make the difference between bland writing and powerful communication.

After helping over 130 clients write high-impact books, articles, and business content, I’ve found that most writers don’t need more adjectives—they need better verbs.

Here’s how to make your verbs work harder:

1. Prioritize Strong Verbs

Swap vague or overused verbs (do, make, get, have) for specific action verbs:

Instead of:

• She made a decision.

Say:

• She decided.

Instead of:

• He got an award.

Say:

• He earned an award.

2. Avoid Verb Padding

Don’t dilute your message with unnecessary helping verbs:

Instead of:

• She is able to write well.

Say:

• She writes well.

Instead of:

• He was starting to feel anxious.

Say:

• He grew anxious.

Every word should pull its weight—if your verb doesn’t, revise it.

3. Use Active Voice (Most of the Time)

In most professional writing, active voice is clearer and more direct than passive voice:

Instead of:

• The contract was reviewed by the manager.

Say:

• The manager reviewed the contract.

Active verbs help your reader quickly understand who’s doing what—which is especially important in leadership and business contexts.

4. Match Verb Tense to Purpose

Use tense to guide the reader through time. Keep your timeline consistent:

• Present tense for general truths and habitual actions

• Past tense for specific completed actions

• Perfect tenses for sequencing or emphasis

5. Let Verbs Set the Tone

Strong verbs create confidence. Weak verbs introduce hesitation:

Instead of:

• We might be able to help.

Say:

• We can help.

Instead of:

• I was trying to explain the issue.

Say:

• I explained the issue.

As a writing coach, I always say: You don’t need to sound fancy. You need to sound decisive. And that starts with your verbs.

Common Verb Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Even experienced professionals make verb mistakes that weaken their writing. The good news? Most of these errors are easy to fix once you know what to look for. As someone who reviews thousands of pages of content each year, I see the same patterns repeat.

Here are the most common verb mistakes—and how to correct them:

1. Overusing Weak Linking Verbs

Relying too heavily on to be verbs (is, are, was, were) makes writing feel static.

Instead of:

The results were surprising.

Say:

The results surprised the team.

Fix: Replace with stronger, more active verbs wherever possible.

2. Tense Shifts Within Paragraphs

Switching from past to present (or vice versa) without reason confuses readers.

Instead of:

She launched the product last week and now updates the team every morning.

Say:

She launched the product last week and updated the team every morning.

Fix: Keep tenses consistent unless you're intentionally indicating a change in time.

3. Subject-Verb Disagreement

The verb must match the subject in number (singular/plural), especially with collective nouns.

Instead of:

The team have finished the report.

Say:

The team has finished the report.

Fix: Watch for tricky collective or compound subjects and double-check your verb forms.

4. Using the Wrong Verb Form

Many writers confuse the past tense and past participle—especially with irregular verbs.

Instead of:

She has went to the store.

Say:

She has gone to the store.

Fix: Refer to a list of irregular verbs and review your verb conjugation rules.

5. Too Many Helping Verbs

Layering helping verbs can clutter your sentence unnecessarily.

Instead of:

She might have been being considered for the role.

Say:

She was under consideration for the role.
She might have been considered.

Fix: Simplify verb phrases unless the nuance is necessary.

Pro tip: When editing your own writing, read it out loud. Verb issues often become obvious when you hear the rhythm of the sentence.

Verb Examples Across Contexts

Let’s look at how strong verbs function differently across real-world writing scenarios. Whether you’re writing an email, article, proposal, or novel, your verb choices set the tone and structure.

1. Business Writing

Use precise action verbs to convey authority, responsibility, and results.

1. We launched a new campaign last quarter.
2. The report outlines key performance indicators.
3. She leads the strategic planning team.

Avoid vague verbs like do, make, or get unless there’s no better option.

2. Academic Writing

Verbs in academic writing often signal logic, argument, and evidence.

1. This study demonstrates a significant correlation.
2. The researcher contends that leadership style affects team outcomes.
3. The data indicates a downward trend.

Use verbs like argue, suggest, propose, reveal, and highlight to articulate key points clearly.

3. Storytelling and Narrative Writing

In fiction and creative nonfiction, vivid, sensory verbs immerse the reader in the moment.

1. She dashed across the street, heart pounding.
2. He slumped into the chair, defeated.
3. Rain hammered the rooftop as they waited in silence.

Show, don’t tell is easier when your verbs are specific and active.

4. Marketing and Sales Copy

Here, verbs need to persuade and convert. Action and emotion matter.

1. Download your free guide.
2. Join thousands of successful freelancers.
3. Transform your business in 30 days.

Strong verbs drive clicks, curiosity, and conversions.

No matter your audience or objective, mastering verbs allows you to shift tone, sharpen clarity, and increase impact. Think of verbs as your style dial—they control how your message lands.

A Comprehensive List of Verbs (4,000+)

If you want to become a more confident, versatile writer, one of the best things you can do is expand your verb vocabulary. That doesn’t mean using obscure or academic words—it means choosing the right verb for the job.

Whether you're looking for action verbs to energize your writing, stative verbs to describe emotion, or just trying to avoid repeating “make,” “do,” and “get” for the hundredth time, having a wide range of verbs at your fingertips is a powerful advantage.

That’s why we created a comprehensive list of over 4,000 English verbs, organized by type and usage.

Includes:

• Regular and irregular verbs

• Transitive and intransitive verbs

• Modal verbs and auxiliary verbs

• Phrasal verbs with meanings

• Examples in context

You can use this list to:

• Improve your vocabulary

• Edit your writing more precisely

• Teach grammar concepts to others

• Avoid repetition and vague language

• Train for writing exams or ESL proficiency

Click here to access the full list of 4,000+ verbs. 

This list is especially useful for non-native speakers, writers, students, and professionals who want to level up their communication skills.

Want to Write Better? Start With Better Verbs

Here’s the truth: You can’t write well without mastering your verbs.

It doesn’t matter whether you're writing an executive summary, a sales page, a novel, or a LinkedIn post—verbs carry the weight of your message. They signal intent, show action, shape tone, and clarify meaning. Every sentence you write is only as strong as the verb at its core.

As a writing coach and ghostwriter who's helped over 130 clients write better, I can tell you this: verb mastery is a non-negotiable skill. It’s not just grammar—it’s persuasion, clarity, and confidence.

So the next time you write something important, don’t just ask, “Did I say it right?”
Ask: “Did I use the right verb?”

If you're ready to get expert help on your next project—reach out. I'd love to help you write something that actually moves people.