If you’re new to writing, you may not have heard of action verbs. Action verbs are words that describe an action, and they are a key element in writing that can help make your sentences more interesting. In this article, knowledge glow explores the definition and examples of action verbs so that you can start using them in your own writing.
What Is an Action Verb?
An action verb is a type of verb that denotes an action. A verb is a word that denotes an action, occurrence, or state of being. In other words, a verb is a doing word. The three main types of verbs are action verbs, linking verbs, and auxiliary verbs.
Action verbs are the most common type of verb. They are used to describe physical or mental actions. For example, run, jump, swim, think, feel, and so on. When you use an action verb, you are describing something that the subject is doing.
Linking verbs are used to connect the subject of a sentence with a noun or adjective that describes or identifies the subject. For example, the verb “to be” is a linking verb. Other examples of linking verbs include: appear, become, seem, look, remain, and taste.
Auxiliary verbs are also known as helping verbs. They help to form different tenses of other verbs. For example, the auxiliary verb “do” helps to form the present tense of many verbs: I do, you do, he does, she does, it does, we do, they do. Other examples of auxiliary verbs include: be, have
Definition of an Action Verb
An action verb is a word that describes an action, whether it’s physical or mental. For example, the word “run” is an action verb. It describes the physical act of running. The word “think” is also an action verb. It describes the mental act of thinking.
Action verbs are important in both writing and speaking. They can help to make your writing more interesting and vivid. In speech, action verbs can help you to be more expressive and articulate.
There are many different types of action verbs. Some common examples include:
- Physical action verbs: run, jump, swim, hit, climb
- Mental action verbs: think, believe, remember, guess, know
- Communicative action verbs: say, tell, ask, answer, explain
When you’re choosing action verbs for your writing or speech, it’s important to select words that are appropriate for the specific audience and purpose. For instance, you would use different action verbs if you were writing a letter to a friend than if you were writing a cover letter for a job application.
Also Read: Verb Forms in English – Explore Different Forms with Examples
Examples of Action Verbs Used in Sentences
Action verbs are words that describe an action. They are often used in sentences to describe what someone is doing. Here are some examples of action verbs used in sentences:
- I am writing a letter.
- You are reading a book.
- He is drinking a cup of coffee.
- She is eating an apple.
- They are playing games.
Test Your Action Verb Knowledge
Here we will be testing your knowledge of action verbs. Take a few minutes to read through the following examples and see if you can identify the correct verb form for each sentence.
Example 1:
I am currently writing a paper on the importance of proper verb usage in the English language.
The correct verb form in this sentence is “am writing.” The base form of the verb is “write.” The -ing form is used when talking about an ongoing action. In this case, the author is currently in the process of writing the paper.
Example 2:
Yesterday, I wrote a paper on the importance of proper verb usage in the English language.
The correct verb form in this sentence is “wrote.” The base form of the verb is “write.” The past tense is used when talking about an action that has already been completed. In this case, the author wrote the paper yesterday.
Everyday Action Verbs List for Kids
Here are some action verbs that can be used in everyday communication.
| Run | Walk | Talk |
| Share | Sit | Stand |
| Jump | Keep | Bring |
| Buy | Drink | Chew |
| Sing | Speak | Drive |
| Travel | Teach | Learn |
| Play | Dance | Skip |
| Try | Move | Lift |
| Make | Cook | Read |
| Write | Test | Ring |
| Call | Clear | Stitch |
Frequently Asked Questions on Action Verbs in English
1. What is an action verb?
An action verb is a verb that expresses physical or mental action. It tells us what the subject of a sentence is doing. For example, in the sentence ‘John is writing a letter’, ‘writing’ is the action verb.
2. How many types of action verbs are there?
There are three types of action verbs: physical, mental, and emotional.
3. What are some examples of physical action verbs?
Physical action verbs include: walk, run, jump, swim, etc.
4. What are some examples of mental action verbs?
Mental action verbs include: think, believe, know, remember, etc.
5. What are some examples of emotional action verbs?
Emotional action verbs include: love, hate, like, feel, etc.
