115+ Commonly Used Verbs That Start With P

Verbs that start with “P” are action words that convey movement, state, or occurrence, all beginning with the letter “P.” These verbs play a vital role in constructing meaningful sentences, whether in daily conversations, storytelling, or professional writing. From powerful verbs like “persuade” and “proclaim” to simple yet effective ones like “play” and “push,” these words add depth and clarity to communication. Understanding and using a wide range of “P” verbs can enhance both written and spoken language, making it more engaging and impactful.

Packed with potential, verbs beginning with “P” bring precision and power to language. They paint vivid pictures in storytelling, express emotions with passion, and drive actions with purpose. Whether crafting compelling narratives, delivering persuasive speeches, or simply making conversations more dynamic, these verbs inject life into every sentence. The right “P” verbs can elevate writing and speech, turning ordinary phrases into captivating expressions that command attention.

From poetic expressions like “ponder” and “praise” to commanding actions like “perform” and “prohibit,” the versatility of “P” verbs is truly remarkable. Whether you’re a writer seeking to refine your prose, a student expanding your vocabulary, or a speaker aiming for more impactful communication, mastering these verbs is essential. Exploring 115+ commonly used “P” verbs will not only boost linguistic skills but also enhance creativity, making language more precise, expressive, and engaging.

Common Verbs That Start With P

Here’s a comprehensive list of verbs starting with P, along with their definitions and example sentences.

1. Action Verbs (Physical & Mental Actions)

These verbs describe actions, either physical or mental.

Verb	Definition	Example Sentence
Paddle	To move through water using hands or a paddle	She paddled the canoe across the lake.
Parade	To march or move in a showy manner	The soldiers paraded through the streets.
Pack	To put items into a container	She packed her suitcase for the trip.
Pounce	To jump or attack suddenly	The cat pounced on the toy mouse.
Propel	To push forward	The wind propelled the boat across the lake.
Perform	To carry out an action or task	The magician performed an amazing trick.
Punch	To hit with a closed fist	He punched the punching bag with force.
Pluck	To pull something quickly	She plucked a flower from the garden.
Plow	To turn over soil with a plow	The farmer plowed the field before planting.
Pummel	To hit repeatedly	The boxer pummeled his opponent.
Patrol	To monitor or guard an area	Security officers patrol the mall at night.

2. Stative Verbs (States, Thoughts, Emotions, Relationships)

These verbs describe a state rather than an action and are not usually used in continuous tenses.

Verb	Definition	Example Sentence
Perceive	To become aware of something	She perceived a strange noise outside.
Possess	To own or have	He possesses a rare coin collection.
Prefer	To like one thing more than another	I prefer tea over coffee.
Presume	To assume something to be true	I presumed she had already left.
Promise	To make a commitment	He promised to call me later.
Predict	To say what will happen in the future	Scientists predict heavy rainfall next week.
Proclaim	To announce something officially	The mayor proclaimed a new holiday.
Ponder	To think deeply	He pondered over the meaning of life.

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3. Irregular Verbs (Non-standard Past Tense Forms)

These verbs do not follow regular past tense rules.

Verb	Past Tense	Past Participle	Definition	Example Sentence
Pay	Paid	Paid	To give money in exchange	She paid for her groceries.
Plead	Pled/Pleaded	Pled/Pleaded	To beg or request earnestly	He pleaded for another chance.
Put	Put	Put	To place something somewhere	She put the book on the sh

4. Phrasal Verbs (Verb + Preposition)

These verbs consist of a main verb + preposition/adverb, creating a new meaning.

Phrasal Verb	Definition	Example Sentence
Pass away	To die	His grandfather passed away last year.
Pass out	To faint or lose consciousness	She passed out from exhaustion.
Pass down	To give something to the next generation	This ring was passed down for generations.
Pay back	To return money owed	He paid back the loan on time.
Pay off	To settle a debt or achieve success	His hard work finally paid off.
Pick up	To collect or improve	She picked up her daughter from school.
Point out	To indicate or highlight	He pointed out a mistake in the report.
Put off	To delay something	They put off the meeting until Monday.
Put on	To wear clothing	She put on her new dress.
Put up with	To tolerate something unpleasant	I can’t put up with the noise anymore.

5. Professional & Business Verbs

These verbs are often used in work, business, and communication contexts.

Verb	Definition	Example Sentence
Propose	To suggest a plan or idea	She proposed a new strategy to the team.
Promote	To support or advertise	The company promoted its latest product.
Present	To show or introduce	He presented his findings in the meeting.
Process	To handle or deal with	The bank processes loan applications.
Provide	To supply or make available	The company provides health benefits.
Partner	To collaborate or work together	They partnered with a global brand.

6. Sports & Physical Activity Verbs

These verbs relate to sports, exercise, and movement.

Verb	Definition	Example Sentence
Paddle	To row or move through water	He paddled across the river.
Pitch	To throw a ball in baseball	The player pitched a fastball.
Pedal	To push the pedals of a bicycle	She pedaled up the hill.
Punch	To strike with a fist	The boxer punched his opponent.

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7. Cooking & Food-Related Verbs

These verbs are commonly used in cooking and food preparation.

Verb	Definition	Example Sentence
Peel	To remove the outer layer of something	She peeled the potatoes before boiling.
Pour	To transfer liquid	He poured the juice into the glass.
Pickle	To preserve in vinegar	They pickled cucumbers last summer.

Positive Verbs That Start With P

Using positive language has a positive impact on conversations and written communication. Here are some uplifting verbs starting with P:

• Praise – to express approval or admiration
• Prosper – to thrive or succeed
• Promote – to support or encourage progress
• Provide – to supply or give something helpful
• Protect – to keep safe from harm
• Progress – to move forward or improve
• Persuade – to convince in a positive way
• Participate – to take part in an activity
• Persevere – to persist despite challenges
• Prepare – to make ready for success
• Pacify – to calm or bring peace
• Play – to engage in fun or creative activities
• Pay – to reward or compensate fairly
• Partner – to collaborate for a common goal
• Perceive – to understand or become aware of

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Example Sentences Using P Verbs in Different Contexts

Daily Conversations:

• “I need to purchase groceries before the store closes.”
• “Can you pass me the salt?”

Business Settings:

• “Our company aims to partner with global brands.”
• “We must plan a new marketing strategy.”

Creative Writing:

• “The hero plotted his escape from the dungeon.”
• “She painted the sunset with vibrant colors.”

Fun Activities to Teach P Verbs to Kids

Teaching kids new words can be exciting and interactive. Here are some creative techniques to introduce verbs starting with P:

Picture Sorting

• Show images of actions (e.g., painting, playing) and have kids match them with the correct verb.

Pictionary

• Let kids draw an action while others guess the verb starting with P.

Puzzle & Matching Games

• Use word and image cards for an engaging memory game.

Alphabet Hunt

• Challenge kids to find objects that relate to a P verb (e.g., “playground” for “play”).

Popping Phonemes

• Have kids say a P verb aloud while clapping out syllables.

Puppet Show

• Use puppets to act out P verbs, enhancing storytelling and role-playing.

These activities help children develop language skills while having fun.

How to Identify a P Verb in a Sentence

To spot a verb starting with P in a sentence, follow these steps:

1. Look at the action in the sentence. Example: “She paints beautifully.” The action word is “paints.”
2. Check if the word changes tense. Example: “They performed well yesterday.” (Past tense of perform.)
3. Identify helping verbs. Example: “I am planning a trip.” Here, “planning” is the main verb.

By recognizing these patterns, you can improve communication and refine grammar skills.

Conclusion

Verbs that start with “P” are powerful tools for better communication. They help in expressing actions, emotions, and ideas with clarity. Whether you want to “persuade” someone, “praise” a friend, or “plan” your goals, these verbs make your sentences stronger. Using a variety of “P” verbs can improve writing, speaking, and storytelling, making language more engaging and effective.

Exploring verbs that start with “P” will expand your vocabulary and make your expressions more creative. These words bring energy and precision to conversations, essays, and speeches. Whether you’re a student, writer, or speaker, learning these verbs will help you communicate with confidence. Keep practicing and using different “P” verbs to make your language richer and more impactful.

FAQs

Q1: What are the most commonly used verbs that start with P?
Some frequently used verbs starting with P include paint, play, plan, promote, pursue, push, publish, participate, and perform. These words are widely used in daily conversations and writing.

Q2: How can I use P verbs to improve my vocabulary?
Using P verbs in different sentence structures, pairing them with adverbs, and practicing through writing exercises can enhance your vocabulary and boost creativity in communication.

Q3: Are there any positive verbs that start with P?
Yes! Positive verbs like praise, prosper, protect, progress, and persevere can have a positive impact in writing and speech by conveying encouragement and motivation.

Q4: What are some fun ways to teach kids verbs that start with P?
Engaging activities like Pictionary, puppet shows, puzzles, and alphabet hunts can help children learn P verbs while improving their language skills.

Q5: How do I identify a verb in a sentence?
A verb describes an action, state, or occurrence. To identify one, look for the word that shows what the subject is doing, and check if it changes tense (e.g., “play” → “played”).