Action verbs. Definition, Examples and Exercise

Definition: Action verbs name a physical or mental (abstract) action.

Jan wants a horse for her birthday.

I believe in fairies and unicorns.

Ian reads a chapter in his book each night.

Action verbs can be transitive or intransitive. Transitive action verbs “transfer” their action to a direct object. Intransitive action verbs have nothing to “transfer” their action to.

Transitive verb –  Joe will send the price quote as soon as he can.

Intransitive verb – Many of the student are not well. They coughed throughout the lesson.

Find out Action Verbs from the examples for exercise:

• The dog ran across the yard.
• She accepted the job offer.
• She left in a hurry.
• The cat sat by the window.
• Will you help me with the laundry?
• The horse trotted along the trail.
• Anthony is throwing the football.
• She yelled when she hit her toe.
• I will learn to play the guitar this year.
• In the summer, we will swim in our pool.