Improve Your English with Verbs: Smart Tricks and a Quick Quiz
This article is designed to help students, English learners, and anyone who wants to strengthen their grammar skills. You’ll learn what verbs are, how they work, the different types of verbs, and smart tricks to use them correctly. And at the end, you’ll find a quick quiz to test your learning.
So let’s start your verb-boosting journey!
What Exactly Is a Verb?
A verb is a word that expresses:
- an action (run, write, cook)
- a state (exist, belong, seem)
- an occurrence (happen, develop)
In simple words: a verb tells us what the subject is doing or what condition they are in.
Examples
- She runs every morning. (action)
- They are happy today. (state)
- A problem occurred during the presentation. (occurrence)
Without verbs, you cannot form a complete sentence. That’s why understanding them is so important.
Why Are Verbs So Important in English?
Verbs do a lot in English sentences. They help express:
- Time (past, present, future)
- Possibility (might go, could finish)
- Habits (I walk to school daily)
- Feelings (I feel tired)
- Commands (Stop! Sit! Listen!)
If you know how to use verbs well:
- Your writing becomes clearer
- Your speaking becomes smoother
- Your grammar mistakes become fewer
- You gain confidence in English communication
That’s why verbs deserve special attention!
Types of Verbs (Explained Simply and Clearly)
English has many types of verbs. Some students find this confusing, but don’t worry—here’s a simple breakdown.
1. Action Verbs
These show what someone or something does.
Examples:
run, jump, study, write, build, think
- She studies English every evening.
- They built a treehouse.
Action verbs can describe physical actions or mental actions.
- Physical:He drives a car.
- Mental:I believe in myself.
2. Linking Verbs
Linking verbs do not show action. Instead, they connect the subject to more information about it.
Common linking verbs:
- am, is, are
- was, were
- seem, feel, look, appear, become
Example:
- She is a doctor.
- They were excited.
- The food smells amazing.
Notice how the verb connects the subject to a description.
Helping verbs support the main verb. They help express time, questions, possibilities, or continuous actions.
Common helping verbs:
- be (am, is, are, was, were)
- have (has, have, had)
- do (do, does, did)
- modals (can, could, should, will, may, might)
Examples:
- She is studying.
- They have finished the task.
- Do you like music?
- I might visit today.
Helping verbs are extremely useful, especially when talking about tenses.
Modal verbs show possibility, ability, permission, or necessity.
Common modals:
- can, could
- may, might
- must
- should
- will, would
Examples:
- You should eat healthy food.
- He can speak three languages.
- It might rain today.
Modals never change form—they don’t take “s,” “ed,” or “ing.”
This is easier than it sounds!
Transitive verbs need an object.
-
She bought a book. (“book” = object)
Intransitive verbs do not need an object.
- He laughed.
- They arrived.
Certain verbs can serve both roles based on how they’re used in a sentence:
- She sang. (intransitive)
- She sang a song. (transitive)
Regular verbs follow the rule:
Verb + -ed = past tense
- work → worked
- clean → cleaned
Irregular verbs do NOT follow the rule:
- go → went
- eat → ate
- buy → bought
- see → saw
- come → came
You must memorize irregular forms, but practice makes it easier.
Understanding Verb Tenses (Without Getting Confused)
Verb tenses tell us when something happens.
English has 12 tenses, but here’s a simple and friendly explanation of the most commonly used ones.
Present Tense
Present Simple:
Used for habits, facts, and routines.
- I play football.
- The sun rises in the east.
Present Continuous:
Used for actions happening right now.
- She is cooking.
- They are playing outside.
Present Perfect:
Used for experiences or unfinished time.
- They have visited London.
- I have studied the lesson.
Past Tense
Past Simple:
Used for completed actions.
- I watched a movie yesterday.
- She went home early.
Past Continuous:
Used for ongoing actions in the past.
-
They were playing football when it started to rain.
-
She had left before I arrived.
Future Tense
-
I will call you later.
Going to (planned future):
-
We are going to visit our grandparents.
Future Continuous:
-
This time tomorrow, I will be traveling.
Future Perfect:
-
By 2026, she will have graduated.
You don’t need to memorize all tenses at once—just understand when to use them.
Smart Tricks to Use Verbs Correctly
Now let’s look at some easy tips to avoid common mistakes and improve your English immediately.
Trick #1:
Check Your Subject–Verb Agreement
One of the biggest mistakes students make is mixing the subject with the wrong verb form.
Simple rule:
- Singular subject → singular verb (He likes)
- Plural subject → plural verb (They like)
Examples:
- She likes chocolate. ✔
- She like chocolate. ✘
- They play cricket. ✔
- They plays cricket. ✘
Pay attention especially when the subject is far from the verb.
You don’t need to learn all irregular verbs immediately. Start with the most useful ones:
go → went → gone
eat → ate → eaten
see → saw → seen
come → came → come
buy → bought → bought
Using these correctly will instantly improve your English.
- Do/Does for present
- Did for past
Examples:
- Do you like tea?
- Does she speak English?
- Did they finish the work?
For negatives:
- I do not know.
- She does not understand.
- He did not come.
Avoid this common mistake:
-
She didn’t went home. ✘
Correct: She didn’t go home. ✔
Continuous tense = be (am/is/are/was/were) + verb + ing
Examples:
- I am reading.
- They were laughing.
Don’t say:
- I am read. ✘
- They were laugh. ✘
Trick #5:
Use Strong Action Verbs to Improve Writing
Instead of basic verbs like “do,” “make,” or “go,” try stronger verbs.
Examples:
- Instead of do homework, say complete homework.
- Instead of go fast, say race or dash.
- Instead of make a plan, say create a plan.
Trick #6:
Practice Verbs with Daily Activities
The best way to learn verbs is by using them daily.
You can make simple sentences about your day:
- I woke up early.
- I ate breakfast.
- I am studying English now.
- I will sleep soon.
This helps you strengthen verb tenses naturally.
Common Mistakes Students Make (and How to Fix Them)
Let’s look at mistakes many learners make and how you can avoid them.
Mistake 1: Adding “s” to the wrong verbs
❌ They likes coffee.
✔ They like coffee.
Remember: “s” only with he / she / it.
Mistake 2: Using past tense with “did”
❌ Did he went?
✔ Did he go?
Mistake 3: Mixing up present simple and continuous
❌ I am understand.
✔ I understand.
Verbs like understand, believe, know, think (for opinions), want, usually don’t use “ing.”
Mistake 4: Forgetting the object with transitive verbs
❌ She bought.
✔ She bought a dress.
Mistake 5: Using the wrong helping verb
❌ He is go to school.
✔ He is going to school.
How to Practice Verbs & Improve Faster
Here are some simple ways to improve your verb usage:
- Read English books and observe verbs.
- Write a daily diary using different tenses.
- Speak with friends using simple present, past, and future verbs.
- Watch English videos and repeat sentences.
- Try quizzes (like the one below!).
The more you practice, the easier verbs become.
Final Thoughts
Improving your English with verbs is easier than you think. When you understand the different types of verbs, practice tenses regularly, and use smart grammar tricks, your communication becomes clearer and more confident. Verbs help you tell stories, share ideas, describe actions, and express emotions.
Keep practicing, read more English, and return to this article whenever you need help. And remember—every expert was once a beginner! Keep learning, keep practicing, and enjoy your journey with English.
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