Action Verbs – Examples

Verbs help us express one’s action or state of being and describe it in words. They belong to the part of speech and are a core unit of English grammar. They are very commonly used, and without them, sentences are incomplete.

Verbs are of many types with different functions and purposes. But the basic definition of verbs is usually known as words that express any action performed by someone or something. So, one most common type of verb with similar and basic functions is called the action verb.

Let us get into a detailed discussion to understand action verbs precisely and differentiate them from other common types.

What are Action verbs?

Action verbs are the type of verbs used to describe or express an action that any person, animal, or object can do. They indicate the functions or activities performed by someone or something to someone or something else. These are the most common types of verbs, and people often refer to action verbs whenever one mentions verbs.

So, in simple words, action verbs are the verbs that show what someone or something does. It can be any kind of action. In fact, action verbs are divided into two main categories.

But first, let us look into some general examples of action verbs;

• Sita plays piano.
• The kids opened all the gift boxes.
• He wrote the novel last month.
• The students ran down the hallway.

So, we see the action verbs are expressing something that the subject does or is performing. They are simply the actions taken by them.

Types of action verbs

1. Physical action verbs

Physical action verbs are the words that describe any action performed by a living being that requires body movements. There is a physical change in acting.

• He climbed up the stairs.
• I swim regularly.
• I kicked the ball right into the fire.
• The cheetah was chasing a duck.
• I saw you running down the staircase.

2. Mental action verbs

Mental action verbs can be a little complicated. These are verbs that describe an action that requires the use of the brain or something that can be done mentally. These verbs can sometimes appear to be the same as stative verbs.

• I was daydreaming in class.
• They analyzed the process properly.
• He memorized all the formulas.
• He was thinking about his past job.

Difference between action verbs and stative verbs and linking verbs

While action verbs are very common and easy to learn, the other two common types are known as stative verbs and linking verbs. They are usually very similar to action verbs which confuse many people. But, they are not the same verb forms, and it is important to know their differences.

Action verbs describe the action performed by someone or something. On the other hand, stative verbs are the type that describes the status of a thing. It is not what someone does, rather, it is what someone’s condition or state of being is. For example;

The pig hates grass.

Again, action verbs tell what someone does. But linking verbs, on the other hand, is quite different. They perform as a connection between two elements. It shows and links the subject with the adjective or the complement.

The bed is broad.

So, these are basic points one needs to remember to make correct use of action verbs.