What is an action verb? Definition, Types & Examples
Action Verbs: A Guide to Using Action Verbs in English Sentences Action verbs are essential for communicating actions, ideas, and progress in English. In school exams, assignments, and daily life, they help you describe what you, others, or things *do*. Learning to spot and use action verbs builds confidence for grammar tests, spoken English, and writing tasks.
What is an Action Verb?
An action verb expresses a physical or mental activity performed by the subject in a sentence. Unlike state or linking verbs (such as “is” or “seem”), action verbs show what someone or something is doing. For example, in “She runs every morning,” runs is the action verb.
| Verb Type | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Action Verb | Describes what the subject does (physical or mental activity) | She paints a picture. |
| State Verb | Describes a condition or state of being | He is happy. |
| Linking Verb | Connects the subject to more information | The soup tastes spicy. |
| Auxiliary Verb | Helps form tenses or voices | She is reading a book. |
Types of Action Verbs
Action verbs can be physical (e.g., jump, kick, write) or mental (e.g., think, imagine, believe). They are also classified as transitive (need a direct object) and intransitive (do not need an object).
Action Verb Examples and List
- run
- jump
- think
- write
- read
- sing
- play
- imagine
- build
- swim
- teach
- dance
- eat
- travel
- explore
- study
- draw
- drive
- watch
- repair
How to Identify Action Verbs in Sentences
Look for words that tell what the subject is doing or thinking. In “Students solve problems quickly,” solve is the action verb.
Action Verbs in Sentences (Examples)
- Aman writes stories for his school magazine.
- The children jumped into the pool.
- Sara thinks about her future often.
- We read a new book every month.
- They built a sandcastle at the beach.
- She teaches English online.
- I run in the park every evening.
- He danced at the school function.
- Riya drinks a glass of milk daily.
- The team won the match yesterday.
Transitive vs. Intransitive Action Verbs
| Verb Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Transitive | Needs a direct object after the verb | She reads a book. |
| Intransitive | Does not need an object | He sleeps early. |
Metaphorical Use of Action Verbs
Action verbs can describe more than physical activities. For example, “Conquer your doubts,” or “She captured the audience’s attention” use action verbs in a figurative sense.
Action Verbs Practice Quiz
- Which word is an action verb in this sentence: “He climbs trees”?
Answer: climbs - Choose the action verb: (a) red (b) laugh (c) quickly (d) loud
Answer: laugh - What is the action verb in “They finish homework before dinner”?
Answer: finish - Correct the sentence: “She is think about the answer.”
Answer: She is thinking about the answer.
Key Takeaways: Action Verbs
- Action verbs show what the subject does—physically or mentally.
- They can be transitive (need an object) or intransitive (no object).
- Using strong action verbs improves writing and exam performance.
- They are easy to spot: look for the “doing” or “thinking” words in a sentence.
- Action verbs make your sentences lively and clear.
Further Learning with Vedantu
- Verb Forms Guide – Learn how action verbs change with tense.
- Linking, Intransitive & Transitive Verbs – Deepen your understanding of verb types.
- Regular vs. Irregular Verbs – See how action verbs behave in tense changes.
- Parts of Speech – See where verbs fit in English grammar.
- Modal Verbs – Learn how helping verbs combine with action verbs.
- Sentence Structure – Practice crafting Grammatically correct sentences.
- Simple Present Tense Exercises – Practise with action verbs in present tense.
- Subject-Verb Concord – Ensure your action verbs match the subject.
- Verbs: The Action Words for Kids – Kid-friendly learning.
Summary: Action verbs show what someone or something does in a sentence, covering both physical and mental actions. They are either transitive (with objects) or intransitive (without objects). Mastering action verbs helps you write, speak, and answer questions confidently in exams and daily communication.
FAQs on Action Verbs in English Grammar: Meaning, Examples & Usage
1. What are action verbs?
Action verbs are words that describe the physical or mental actions performed by the subject of a sentence. They show what the subject is doing. Examples include run, jump, think, and write.
2. What is the difference between action verbs and linking verbs (or state verbs)?
Action verbs describe actions, while linking verbs (like be, seem, become) connect the subject to a description or state of being. Action verbs show *activity*; linking verbs show *condition*.
3. How do I identify an action verb in a sentence?
Look for the verb that shows what the subject is *doing*. Ask yourself: What is the subject performing? The word answering that question is usually the action verb.
4. What are some examples of action verbs?
Here are some examples, categorized for clarity:
- Physical Actions: run, jump, swim, walk, eat, sleep, write, build, drive
- Mental Actions: think, learn, understand, believe, remember, forget, dream, imagine
5. What are transitive and intransitive action verbs?
A transitive verb requires a direct object to complete its meaning (e.g., "She threw the ball."). An intransitive verb does not need a direct object (e.g., "He sleeps.").
6. Can action verbs be used metaphorically?
Yes! Action verbs can be used figuratively to add depth and impact to writing. For example, "He attacked the problem" uses "attacked" metaphorically.
7. How do action verbs change with tense?
Like all verbs, action verbs change form to show tense (past, present, future). For example: run (present), ran (past), will run (future).
8. What is the importance of action verbs in writing?
Strong action verbs make writing more dynamic and engaging. They create vivid imagery and clearly show what's happening in a story or description. They help avoid weak verbs like "to be" and "to do."
9. Are all verbs action verbs?
No. Verbs can be action verbs, linking verbs, or auxiliary verbs (helping verbs). The function of the verb in the sentence determines its classification.
10. Can you give examples of action verbs used in different tenses?
Here are examples of the verb "write" in different tenses:
- Present: I write a letter.
- Past: I wrote a letter.
- Future: I will write a letter.
- Present Perfect: I have written a letter.
- Past Perfect: I had written a letter.
11. How can I improve my use of action verbs in my writing?
Choose specific and vivid action verbs. Instead of saying "He went to the store," say "He hurried to the store" or "He strolled to the store." Consider the nuance of the action.
12. What are some commonly misused action verbs?
Some verbs are often incorrectly used as action verbs when they function differently. Carefully consider the context. For example, the verb "to be" is typically a linking verb, not an action verb, unless it's part of a phrasal verb (e.g., "He is running away").
