Action Verbs: Definition, Examples & How to Use Them Effectively

An action verb is a verb that describes a physical or mental activity. In contrast, a state-of-being verb describes a state or condition rather than an action. Here are some examples of action verbs:

Jump

Run

Dance

Think

Write

Cook

These verbs all describe activities that someone can perform. By contrast, here are some examples of state-of-being verbs:

Be

Sleep

Appear

Seem

Feel

These verbs do not describe actions but rather states or conditions.