100+ Common Verbs that Start with C: List, Examples & Exercises • 7ESL

Today, we are going to look at useful verbs that start with C that you can use in everyday English. If you want to master the language and sound more natural, these “C” verbs will help you talk about actions, ideas, and feelings more clearly.

Everybody likes action. Action of all kinds is what makes life interesting and keeps it exciting. Verbs are the words we use to talk about those actions. If someone or something is doing anything, then you need the power of verbs to put it into words.

Top Common Verbs that Start with C

PinVerbs that Start with C – Created by 7ESL

Below you’ll find the most common and useful “C” verbs for everyday English, from basic daily actions to more formal academic uses.

Essential “C” Verbs for Beginners

These are high-frequency verbs you will hear and use many times a day.

Call

Definition: To phone or try to talk to someone; to shout someone’s name.

Examples: Please call me when you get home. She called his name across the street.

Carry

Definition: To hold and move something from one place to another.

Examples: Can you help me carry these boxes to the car? He carried his backpack all day.

Care

Definition: To feel concern or interest; to look after someone or something.

Examples: She cares deeply about her family. Nurses care for patients in the hospital.

Change

Definition: To make something different; to become different.

Examples: She decided to change her hair color. The weather changes quickly in this city.

Choose

Definition: To decide which person or thing you want.

Examples: He had to choose between two job offers. Please choose a seat near the front.

Clean

Definition: To remove dirt or mess from something.

Examples: She cleaned the kitchen after dinner. We need to clean the classroom.

Close

Definition: To move something so that it is no longer open.

Examples: Can you please close the window? The store closes at 9 p.m.

Come

Definition: To move or travel toward a place or person.

Examples: Can you come to my party next weekend? She came home late.

Cook

Definition: To prepare food by heating it.

Examples: He likes to cook dinner for his friends. They cooked a big meal for the family.

Create

Definition: To make something new or original.

Examples: The artist created a beautiful painting. Students create posters for the project.

Academic & Formal Verbs Starting with C

These “C” verbs are especially useful in academic writing, business emails, and exams such as IELTS or TOEFL.

Calculate

Definition: To find an answer using numbers.

Example: She needs to calculate the total cost of the project.

Clarify

Definition: To make something easier to understand.

Example: Could you clarify what you mean by “extra fees”?

Classify

Definition: To put things into groups based on their features.

Example: Scientists classify animals into different categories.

Collaborate

Definition: To work together with other people to achieve a result.

Example: The two companies collaborated on the project.

Combine

Definition: To mix or join things together.

Example: She combined the ingredients to make a cake.

Communicate

Definition: To share information or ideas with others.

Example: They use sign language to communicate with each other.

Compare

Definition: To examine two or more things in order to see how they are similar or different.

Example: The study compares the results of two groups.

Compile

Definition: To collect information and arrange it in a list, report, or book.

Example: The researcher compiled data from several surveys.

Complete

Definition: To finish doing or making something.

Example: She completed the assignment before the deadline.

Conclude

Definition: To decide something after thinking carefully; to finish something.

Example: The scientists concluded that the experiment was successful.

Conduct

Definition: To organize and carry out an activity such as a study, survey or experiment.

Example: She conducted a survey to gather information.

Confirm

Definition: To show that something is definitely true or correct.

Example: The results confirmed the original hypothesis.

Consider

Definition: To think about something carefully before making a decision.

Example: We need to consider all of our options before making a decision.

Construct

Definition: To build or put together something large, such as a building, road, or argument.

Example: They are going to construct a new library.

Contribute

Definition: To give something, especially money, time, or ideas, to help achieve a goal.

Example: She wants to contribute to charity.

Action Verbs that Start with C

Action verbs show what people and things do. Below are useful “C” action verbs you can use in daily communication.

Physical Action Verbs

Verb	Meaning	Sentence Example
Carry	To hold and move something from one place to another	Can you help me carry these boxes to the car?
Camp	To stay outdoors in a tent or simple shelter	They decided to camp in the woods for the night.
Catch	To take hold of something that is moving	The boy tried to catch the ball, but it went over his head.
Chase	To run after someone or something in order to catch them	The dog chased after the squirrel.
Climb	To move upward, especially using hands and feet	They decided to climb the mountain.
Clean	To remove dirt, dust, or mess	She cleaned the kitchen after dinner.
Clear	To remove things so that a place is empty	He cleared the table after the meal.
Close	To shut something so that it is not open	Can you please close the window?
Cook	To prepare food using heat	He likes to cook dinner for his friends.
Cut	To divide something into pieces using a knife or scissors	Be careful when you cut the vegetables.

Mental & Communication Action Verbs

Verb	Meaning	Sentence Example
Call	To phone or try to talk to someone	Please call me when you get home.
Calculate	To use numbers to find an amount	She needs to calculate the total cost of the project.
Care	To feel concern or interest	He really cares about his students.
Check	To look at something carefully to see if it is correct or safe	Can you check if the door is locked?
Cheer	To shout to show happiness or support	The fans cheered when their team scored a goal.
Choose	To decide which thing you want	He had to choose between two job offers.
Communicate	To share information or ideas	They communicate by email every day.
Complain	To say that you are not satisfied with something	He always complains about his job.
Consider	To think carefully about something	We should consider all the options before deciding.
Control	To have power over something; to manage it	He needs to learn how to control his temper.

Positive Verbs that Start with C

Many “C” verbs have a positive meaning and are perfect for talking about success, progress, and good relationships.

Verbs for Success and Achievement

Verb	Meaning	Sentence Example
Celebrate	To do something enjoyable because of a special event or success	We should celebrate our achievements.
Challenge	To invite someone to test their ability; to make something difficult in a good way	The difficult math problem challenged the students.
Complete	To finish something successfully	I need to complete this task by the end of the day.
Contribute	To give or add something to help achieve a result	Many volunteers contributed their time to the project.
Create	To make something new, original, or useful	The team created an innovative product.
Climb	To move upwards or make progress (literally or figuratively)	She quickly climbed the career ladder.
Coach	To train or guide someone so they can improve	She coached the basketball team to victory.
Conquer	To successfully deal with or defeat something	He finally conquered his fear of public speaking.
Cultivate	To develop a skill, quality, or relationship	You should cultivate good study habits.
Continue	To keep doing something without stopping	She will continue studying English next year.

Verbs for Feelings and Relationships

Verb	Meaning	Sentence Example
Care	To feel love or concern for someone	She cares deeply about her family.
Comfort	To make someone feel less sad or worried	He tried to comfort his friend after the loss.
Cheer	To make someone feel happier	Her message really cheered me up.
Connect	To feel close to someone; to link people or things together	It is easy to connect with her because she listens well.
Congratulate	To tell someone you are happy about their success	Let’s congratulate them on their wedding.
Compliment	To say something nice about someone	He complimented her on her presentation.
Cooperate	To work together with someone to reach a shared goal	The children cooperated to clean the classroom.
Console	To comfort someone who is very sad	Her friends consoled her after the bad news.

Important Phrasal Verbs Starting with C

Common Phrasal Verbs with “Come”, “Carry”, and “Check”

Phrasal verbs are very common in everyday English. Here are some useful ones that start with C.

Come across

Meaning: To find or see something by chance.

Example: I came across an interesting article yesterday.

Come up with

Meaning: To think of an idea or plan.

Example: She came up with a great solution to the problem.

Come back

Meaning: To return to a place.

Example: He will come back from his trip next week.

Carry on

Meaning: To continue doing something.

Example: Please carry on with your work.

Carry out

Meaning: To do or perform a task or plan.

Example: The scientists carried out several experiments.

Check in

Meaning: To register when you arrive at a hotel or airport.

Example: We need to check in two hours before the flight.

Check out

Meaning: To leave a hotel; to look at something interesting.

Example: They will check out of the hotel at noon. / You should check out this new website.

Comprehensive List of Verbs that Start with C

Here is a clear, student-friendly list of common and useful verbs that start with C.

Verb	Pronunciation	Simple Definition
Calculate	/ˈkælkjəˌleɪt/	To use numbers to find an amount
Call	/kɔːl/	To phone or shout to someone
Camp	/kæmp/	To stay in a tent outdoors
Cancel	/ˈkænsəl/	To decide that something will not happen
Capture	/ˈkæptʃər/	To catch a person, animal, or moment
Care	/kɛr/	To feel concern or love
Carry	/ˈkæri/	To hold and move something
Carve	/kɑːrv/	To cut something into a shape
Catch	/kætʃ/	To take hold of something that is moving
Cause	/kɔːz/	To make something happen
Cease	/siːs/	To stop doing something
Celebrate	/ˈsɛləˌbreɪt/	To do something special for an event
Challenge	/ˈtʃælɪndʒ/	To invite someone to compete or test their ability
Change	/tʃeɪndʒ/	To become or make different
Charge	/tʃɑːrdʒ/	To ask someone to pay; to rush forward
Chase	/tʃeɪs/	To run after someone or something
Chat	/tʃæt/	To talk in a friendly and informal way
Cheat	/tʃiːt/	To act dishonestly to gain an advantage
Check	/tʃɛk/	To examine something carefully
Cheer	/tʃɪr/	To shout in support or happiness
Chew	/tʃuː/	To use your teeth to break up food
Choose	/tʃuːz/	To decide which thing you want
Circle	/ˈsɜːrkəl/	To move around something in a circle
Clean	/kliːn/	To remove dirt or mess
Clear	/klɪr/	To remove things so that a place is empty
Climb	/klaɪm/	To go up using your hands and feet
Cling	/klɪŋ/	To hold onto something or someone tightly
Close	/kloʊz/	To shut something
Coach	/koʊtʃ/	To train or teach a person or team
Collect	/kəˈlɛkt/	To bring things together in one place
Color	/ˈkʌlər/	To add color to something
Combine	/kəmˈbaɪn/	To mix or join things together
Come	/kʌm/	To move or travel towards a place
Comfort	/ˈkʌmfərt/	To make someone feel less sad or worried
Command	/kəˈmænd/	To give an order
Communicate	/kəˈmjuːnɪˌkeɪt/	To share information or ideas
Compete	/kəmˈpiːt/	To try to win against others
Complain	/kəmˈpleɪn/	To say that you are unhappy with something
Complete	/kəmˈpliːt/	To finish something
Compose	/kəmˈpoʊz/	To create music, writing, or a message
Compute	/kəmˈpjuːt/	To calculate using numbers or a computer
Concentrate	/ˈkɑːnsənˌtreɪt/	To give all your attention to something
Conclude	/kənˈkluːd/	To decide something based on information
Conduct	/kənˈdʌkt/	To organize and carry out an activity
Confess	/kənˈfɛs/	To admit that you did something wrong
Connect	/kəˈnɛkt/	To join or link things or people
Consider	/kənˈsɪdər/	To think carefully about something
Consist	/kənˈsɪst/	To be formed or made up of something
Construct	/kənˈstrʌkt/	To build something large or complex
Consult	/kənˈsʌlt/	To ask an expert for advice
Consume	/kənˈsuːm/	To eat, drink, or use something
Contain	/kənˈteɪn/	To have something inside
Continue	/kənˈtɪnjuː/	To keep doing something
Contribute	/ˈkɑːntrəˌbjuːt/	To give something to help achieve a result
Control	/kənˈtroʊl/	To have power over something
Cook	/kʊk/	To prepare food using heat
Copy	/ˈkɑːpi/	To make something that is the same as another
Correct	/kəˈrɛkt/	To change something so it is right
Count	/kaʊnt/	To say numbers in order; to calculate the total
Cover	/ˈkʌvər/	To put something over something else
Crawl	/krɔːl/	To move slowly on hands and knees
Create	/kriˈeɪt/	To make something new
Cry	/kraɪ/	To produce tears from your eyes
Cultivate	/ˈkʌltəˌveɪt/	To develop a skill, feeling, or relationship
Cure	/kjʊr/	To make someone healthy again
Cut	/kʌt/	To divide something with a sharp tool
Cycle	/ˈsaɪkəl/	To ride a bicycle

Confusing “C” Verbs & Common Mistakes

Consist vs. Contain

Consist of describes what parts make up something. Contain means “to have inside”.

The salad consists of lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. (It is made of these things.)
The box contains old photos. (The photos are inside the box.)

Cost vs. Charge

Cost is usually used for the price of something. Charge is used for the action of asking someone to pay.

The book costs $10. (Its price is $10.)
The shop charges $10 for the book. (They ask you to pay $10.)

Exercises: Test Your Knowledge on “C” Verbs

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Choose the correct “C” verb from the box to complete each sentence.

Word bank: calculate, carry, celebrate, choose, check, clean, comfort, communicate, complete, contribute

Can you _______ if the window is closed?
They will _______ their anniversary with a nice dinner.
Please _______ your homework before tomorrow.
She tried to _______ her friend after the bad news.
We need to _______ the room before the guests arrive.
He had to _______ between two different job offers.
The accountant will _______ the total cost.
Volunteers _______ their time to help the community.
They use email to _______ with clients.
Can you help me _______ these bags to the car?

Exercise 2: Match the Verb to the Definition

Match each verb (1–8) with the correct definition (A–H).

Capture
Climb
Complain
Cook
Count
Connect
Control
Care

A. To prepare food using heat
B. To say you are not happy about something
C. To move upwards, often using hands and feet
D. To join or link things or people
E. To feel concern or love
F. To keep something or someone under your power
G. To catch a person, animal, or moment
H. To say numbers or find the total number

Answer Key – Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Can you check if the window is closed?
They will celebrate their anniversary with a nice dinner.
Please complete your homework before tomorrow.
She tried to comfort her friend after the bad news.
We need to clean the room before the guests arrive.
He had to choose between two different job offers.
The accountant will calculate the total cost.
Volunteers contribute their time to help the community.
They use email to communicate with clients.
Can you help me carry these bags to the car?

Answer Key – Exercise 2: Match the Verb to the Definition

1–8 → A–H

Capture – G (To catch a person, animal, or moment)
Climb – C (To move upwards, often using hands and feet)
Complain – B (To say you are not happy about something)
Cook – A (To prepare food using heat)
Count – H (To say numbers or find the total number)
Connect – D (To join or link things or people)
Control – F (To keep something or someone under your power)
Care – E (To feel concern or love)

Verbs that Start with C | Images

Chart of verbs that start with C in English — Verbs that Start with C in English – Created by 7ESL

Visual poster of common English verbs starting with the letter C — Verbs Starting with C – Created by 7ESL

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