Key Verbs

You do not need 5,000 words to speak English well. You need the right 30 verbs used correctly, in the right patterns, at the right moment. Here they are.

bolt The Core Verbs

Used to describe states and identities. The most irregular verb in English.

"I am tired." "It was a long day." "She is a teacher."

have

Both a main verb (possession) and an auxiliary verb (perfect tenses).

"I have a question." "She has been working all day." "We had a great time."

Also the main auxiliary for questions and negatives in present/past simple.

"I do yoga every morning." "Do you understand?" "I don't think so."

get

One of the most versatile verbs — means receive, understand, arrive, or become.

"I get it now." "She got home late." "Can I get a coffee?" "Things will get better."

make

"Make" focuses on creating or producing a result. Contrast with "do" (activities).

"She made a decision." "He makes me laugh." "I made a mistake."

Used for movement, progress, and how events unfold.

"Let's go." "How did it go?" "Things are going well."

think

Essential for expressing opinions. "I think" is how native speakers soften statements.

"I think so." "What do you think?" "I was thinking about it."

know

Not used in continuous: say "I know" not "I am knowing".

"I know." "Do you know what I mean?" "She knows the answer."

come

Used for movement toward the speaker (opposite of "go").

"Come in." "It came as a surprise." "Where does this come from?"

take

Frequently used in set expressions: take a break, take part, take care.

"It takes time." "Take a look at this." "She took notes."

give

Often used in phrasal verbs (give up, give in, give away).

"Give me a second." "She gave a presentation." "He gave up."

say / tell

"Say" is used alone or with "that". "Tell" always needs a person object (tell me, tell him).

"She said hello." "He told me to wait." "What did you say?"

want

Not normally used in continuous. Say "I want" not "I am wanting".

"I want to improve." "What do you want?" "She wanted more time."

look

"Look + adjective" describes appearance. "Look at" means direct your eyes. "Look for" means search.

"It looks good." "Look at this." "I'm looking for my keys."

feel

Used for emotions and physical sensations. Often followed by an adjective.

"I feel great." "How do you feel?" "It feels strange."

compare_arrows make vs. do — the classic confusion

Use make for...

make a decision
make a mistake
make progress
make a plan
make an effort
make a suggestion
make a difference
make money

Use do for...

do homework
do the dishes
do research
do exercise
do your best
do a favor
do the right thing
do nothing

Rule of thumb: "make" produces something (a result, an object, a feeling). "do" performs an activity.

block Verbs that don't use -ing (Stative Verbs)

These verbs describe states, not actions. They are not normally used in continuous tenses.

know think (opinion) believe understand want need love hate prefer seem appear remember forget own belong contain

✗ I am knowing the answer.

✓ I know the answer.

record_voice_over Why this helps your speaking

In real conversations, 80% of what you say relies on fewer than 50 verbs. When you know the natural patterns around "get", "make", "do", and "take", you stop searching for the perfect word and start speaking. Write five sentences using each of these verbs in different tenses this week — then listen for them when you speak in the app.

Put this into practice — speak with an AI that corrects you in real time.

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