Does your favorite author captivate your senses? Isn’t it amazing how the written word can do just that? One of the best ways to make your way to the top of the literary charts is to build a robust vocabulary list. Then, whenever the threat of writer’s block tries to carry you away, you can catapult yourself back to the computer screen and carry on with your masterpiece. Start that vocabulary list with a look at 50 verbs that start with "c." First, we’ll collect our thoughts with a brief look at how verbs function in everyday language.
What Is a Verb?
A verb is a word that expresses action or a state of being. In the English language, every word sits in a specific place and plays a specific role in a sentence. As such, verbs typically come after the subject of the sentence and before the object of the sentence. Consider this sentence: "Candice cloned her cat." Here, "Candice" is the subject, "cloned" is the verb showing action and "cat" is the object receiving the action of the verb.
50 Verbs Starting With C
Is it time to chart your way to a stronger vocabulary? As you review this list of verbs that start with "c," consider how you can best use them in your writing!
| Verb | Definition |
call |
to speak or cry out loud enough to attract a person’s attention |
camp |
to stay in a tent or recreational vehicle for a short period of time |
cancel |
to delete or make invalid |
captivate |
to gain the attention or affection of someone |
capture |
to take hold or control of, often by force |
care |
to have feelings like concern, responsibility or love |
caress |
to stroke gently and lovingly |
carry |
to transport; to support the weight of something or someone |
carve |
to slice or divide up; to make something smaller by cutting or chiseling |
catch |
to capture or take something |
cater |
to prepare and serve food for an event in a professional capacity |
cease |
to stop or discontinue |
change |
to replace one thing with another; to become different |
charge |
to assess a fee for goods or services |
chase |
to follow quickly, pursue or run after |
chat |
to talk or have a friendly exchange |
cheat |
to behave dishonestly to gain an advantage |
cheer |
to shout in encouragement or joy |
chew |
to use teeth to bite, cut through and grind into smaller pieces |
choke |
to have a hard time breathing due to an obstructed airway |
choose |
to pick from a number of options |
chop |
to cut into pieces via repeated quick blows a knife or other blade |
clap |
to hit the palms of the hands together to make a loud sound |
clash |
to disagree in a way that leads to conflict |
clasp |
to hold or grip tightly; to attach two or more things together |
claw |
to grab at or tear using the nails on a hand or foot |
clean |
to take action to make something not dirty |
clench |
to press something tightly together, such as teeth or fists, into a tight ball |
climb |
to move up a slope, incline or steps |
cling |
to hold on tightly |
clone |
to replicate cells such that they are identical genetically |
coach |
to teach or instruct; to prepare a team for success |
collect |
to gather together |
collide |
to crash into something |
collude |
to secretly work with someone to do something deceitful |
color |
to add a hue, shade, paint, or dye to an object or picture |
come |
to move in the direction of someone or something |
commence |
to begin something |
compare |
to find the similarities or differences between two or more people or things |
compete |
to engage in a contest |
complain |
to express dissatisfaction |
confess |
to admit wrongdoing |
connect |
to join together; to attach |
construct |
to build or assemble |
contain |
to keep within a boundary |
cook |
to prepare food so it’s not raw |
count |
to add up or calculate |
crawl |
to move slowly on the ground on one's hands and knees |
create |
to cause something to exist; to make |
cut |
to divide with a blade or other sharp instrument |
Types of Verbs
Verbs are very important in the English language. You shouldn't be surprised to discover that there are several types of verbs.
- The largest category of verbs is action verbs. Makes sense, right? Action verbs, also known as dynamic verbs, express the action of the sentence, which can be either physical or mental. For example, "We had to crawl under the house to find the buried treasure." There are many action verb examples.
- Action verbs can be either regular or irregular. Regular verbs change from present tense to past tense with the simple addition of -ed at the end. For example, cater becomes catered. Irregular verbs don't follow that pattern (or any pattern). For example, choose becomes chose. Don't add -ed; choosed is not a word.
- Don't forget helping verbs. These verbs pair with the main verb in a sentence to extend or clarify its meaning. Consider this sentence: "I could go with you to the beach this weekend." The main verb is "go," but its meaning in this context isn't clear without the addition of the word "could," which functions as a helping verb.
- Another category of verbs is linking verbs. Linking verbs are typically "to be" verbs, as in "am," "is," "are," "was," and "were." They link the subject with more information. For example, "Dogs come with a lot of responsibility."
10 Example Sentences Featuring C-Verbs
Are you ready to see some "c" verbs in action? Check out these sample sentences, then make plans to write some of your own.
- I’m so sorry to have to cancel our plans.
- Can you carve out some time for me next week?
- Don’t let Max chase that big dog.
- Did he cheat at poker last night?
- Maria likes to chop celery for her tuna salad.
- Are you ready to climb Twin Peaks?
- We must cling to hope.
- Let’s commence the weekend’s activities!
- We had to wait for them to connect an additional train car.
- She hates to cook.
A Cataclysmic Clash
Perhaps your next plotline will include a cataclysmic clash between two of the protagonists. To get your creative juices flowing, check out these creative writing exercises. Then, see if you can douse your prose in some more "c" words. Start with this list of adjectives that start with "c." Then, challenge yourself to further expand your mastery of this letter with a comprehensive list of words that start with the letter "c" on WordFinder by YourDictionary. When you're ready to curve back around to verbs, dive into some verbs that start with "d." You'll be well on your way to building a strong vocabulary.