Essential English Action Verbs: Take, Ride, Drive, Walk, Get

We move every day. We walk, ride, run, or hurry somewhere…

To effectively use English verbs, start by getting to know the most frequently used ones. Familiarizing yourself with these essential verbs will greatly enhance your communication skills.

In particular, we will analyze the verbs of motion associated with transport.

List of English Verbs of Motion

Before we dive deeper, let’s take a moment to highlight some of the most frequently used movement verbs in English:

• Run
• Walk
• Jog
• Amble
• Dart
• Limp
• Lope 
• Saunter
• Scamper
• Scurry
• Stagger
• Strut
• Swagger
• Tiptoe
• Traipse
• Roll
• Spin
• Sway 
• Bounce

Verbs of Motion: An In-Depth Guide

It must be said that the verbs of motion below are often confused and misused.

We will start with the English verb take.

When discussing transportation, we always pair the verb “take” with modes of travel like bus, train, taxi, cab, and plane—this rule has no exceptions. So, remember to say “I took a bus” or “I took a taxi,” rather than “I ride a taxi” or “I ride a bus.”

The term “ride” generally refers to traveling on or in something. For instance, you might say, “I ride a horse, bike, motorbike, scooter, or moped.” However, when it comes to larger vehicles, we say “ride in a bus or train” and “ride in a taxi or cab.” Remember, the correct prepositions matter—it’s incorrect to say “ride in ataxi/cab.”

The term “drive” refers to the act of operating a motor vehicle. It’s important to note that saying “I ride a car” is incorrect and may sound odd to native English speakers. Instead, you can say “I go by car,” which conveys that you’re using a car for transportation, but it doesn’t imply that you’re the one behind the wheel.

Be mindful when using the word “walk,” as it specifically refers to moving on foot. While you could say, “I will go by foot” when discussing your destination, a more straightforward and natural expression is simply, “I will walk.” Keep it simple!

Let’s delve into the English verb “get,” which stands out as one of the most frequently used verbs of motion in the language. Its versatility makes it essential for expressing movement and change in various contexts.

There are different expressions, such as get in/get out and get on/get off. What do you think the difference is?

The expressions “get in” and “get out,” which mean to enter and exit, are typically associated with smaller modes of transportation like taxis and cars.

•         I got in the car and drove away.
•         I need to get out of the taxi.

The phrases “get on” and “get off” are commonly used when referring to larger modes of public transportation, including planes, buses, boats, trains, and subways.

•         She got off the train and saw him.
•         Okay, I’m getting on the subway. See you later.

It’s straightforward! All you need to do is grasp the meanings of the words and memorize the phrases that incorporate these English verbs. This will enhance your understanding and usage of the language.

Good luck!

Enjoy learning English!