Fundamental Verbs

to momentarily put something into a liquid

My Asian roommate likes to dip her sushi rolls into soy sauce.

to attach or secure something by means of a curved or angled object

She hooked her keys onto the belt loop of her jeans.

to forcibly push something against a surface until it breaks or is damaged or disfigured

He accidentally stepped on and crushed the delicate flower in the garden.

to push a knife or other sharp object into someone to injure or kill them

The assailant attempted to stab the victim multiple times before fleeing the scene.

to violently cut with a quick move using a knife, etc.

The assailant slashed at the victim with a sharp knife, leaving deep wounds on their arm.

to inflict extreme mental pain, distress, or anxiety on someone

The constant interrogation seemed to torture him mentally, breaking his spirit.

to violently hit a person or animal with a whip

The taskmaster cruelly whipped the slaves to force them to work faster.

the escape of a fluid from a container, pipe, or system

The car radiator developed a coolant leak.

to control or influence someone cleverly for personal gain or advantage

The con artist manipulated his victims into giving him their money by playing on their emotions.

to suddenly and forcibly take hold of something

In a panic, she reached out to seize her falling phone before it hit the ground.

a device consisted of two or three metal pins that can connect a piece of electrical equipment to a power supply when fitted into the holes of an electric outlet

She inserted the plug into the outlet to charge her phone.

to make a sudden light sound like a small explosion

The bubble wrap popped loudly as it was squeezed.

to tear, cut, or open something forcefully and quickly

She accidentally ripped her favorite shirt on a sharp nail sticking out from the fence.

to live in a specific place

The Smith family resides in a charming cottage on the outskirts of town.

a solid material forming part of the earth's surface, often made of one or more minerals

She collected interesting rocks during her trip to the beach.

to turn or move around a center

The Earth rotates on its axis, causing day and night to occur.

to make gas or liquid move in a certain direction using a mechanical action

He had to pump air into the bicycle tires to ensure a smooth ride.

to investigate or explore in depth in order to find out more information

The journalist probed into the company's finances to uncover any potential corruption.

a small pointy piece of metal that can be fasten into wooden or metal objects using a screwdriver to hold things together

He used a screwdriver to tighten the screws holding the shelves to the wall.

to break suddenly into several pieces

The glass shatters into fragments as it falls to the ground.

to let hair, skin, horn, or feathers fall naturally

Birds shed old feathers during molting season.

(of clothes or fabric) to become smaller when washed with hot water

Be cautious with the new sweater; it tends to shrink in hot water.

to hold, fasten, or turn something firmly

She tightened her grip on the handlebars as she rode over the bumpy terrain.

to momentarily raise one's shoulders to express indifference

When asked about his plans for the weekend, he just shrugged and said he hadn't decided yet.

to release a long deep audible breath, to express one's sadness, tiredness, etc.

As he watched the sunset, he sighed, feeling a sense of peace and satisfaction.

to forcibly break something into several pieces

Frustrated with the malfunctioning computer, he decided to smash the keyboard in anger.

to suddenly break with a sharp noise

The dry twig snapped loudly under his foot as he walked through the forest.

to go higher while flying

The eagle soared high above the cliffs, scanning the landscape for prey.

a structure that crosses an obstacle such as a river, canal, or railway

The new span connects the two city districts.

to emit small flashes of electricity or fire

The faulty wire began to spark, indicating a potential electrical problem in the house.

to turn around over and over very fast

With elegant movements, the dancer spun gracefully on stage.

to accidentally hit something with one's foot and almost fall

She stumbled over the uneven sidewalk and nearly fell face-first.

to control the direction of a moving object, such as a car, ship, etc.

He expertly steered the car through the winding mountain roads.

to pull air, liquid, etc. into the mouth by using the muscles of the mouth and the lips

Mosquitoes suck blood from their victims to nourish themselves.

to move or make something move from one side to another while suspended

The pendulum clock swung back and forth with a rhythmic tick-tock.

to be pulled along by a leading force

The kite soared in the sky, with its long tail trailing behind it.

to bend an object into a particular shape, such as wire, cloth, etc.

The artist skillfully twisted the metal wire to fashion an intricate jewelry pendant.

to remove a cover from a statue, painting, etc. for the people to see, particularly as part of a public ceremony

The mayor proudly unveiled the new city monument during the grand opening ceremony.

to shout very loudly

In the crowded stadium, fans would often yell and cheer for their favorite team.