10 ADVANCED ENGLISH VERBS – with video lesson
Hi everyone! Today I have for you 10 advanced English verbs you can add to your writing and conversations. These wonderful verbs are formal, but they are common enough to include in your day-to-day conversations. You can watch my YouTube video on this topic or keep scrolling to learn more! Enjoy!
#1 INVOLVE
past simple: involved past participle: involved
Simple: What do you do in your job? Advanced: What does your job involve?
Definition: this is what you do in a job or activity
My job involves cutting down damaged trees and branches.
Being an entrepreneur involves hard work and dedication.
Being a good farmer involves getting up early and paying close attention to the seasons.
#2 EAVESDROP
past simple: eavesdropped past participle: eavesdropped
Simple: I was secretly listening to my colleagues’ conversation. Advanced: I was eavesdropping on my colleagues’ conversation.
Definition: to secretly listen to a conversation
I caught my 7-year-old son eavesdropping while my husband and I were discussing his party plans.
Joseph likes to eavesdrop on our conversation whenever he hears his name.
#3 OVERHEAR
past simple: overheard past participle: overheard
Simple: I heard Ivory and Becca talking about their volunteer jobs. Advanced: I overheard Ivory and Becca talking about their volunteer jobs.
Definition: to hear someone’s conversation, but not intentionally
Hey Becca, I overheard you talking about your volunteer job. What does it involve?
Luca grew excited after overhearing everyone else talking about starting a gaming club.
#4 DETER
past simple: deterred past participle: deterred
Simple: New security cameras will stop thieves from stealing in this neighborhood.
Advanced: New security cameras will deter thieves from targeting this neighborhood.
Definition: to make someone not want to do something
High housing prices have deterred many young people from buying their first home.
The mother cat kept pushing her kitten back to deter it from falling in the river.
#5 THANK
past simple: thanked past participle: thanked
Simple: Ari said thank you. Advanced: Ari thanked me.
Definition: to say thank you
It is important to thank someone that sends you a gift as a sign of appreciation.
#6 RECIPROCATE
past simple: reciprocated past participle: reciprocated
Simple: Last month Juliette bought me dinner and I think it would be nice to buy her dinner one day.
Advanced: Last month Juliette bought me dinner and I think it would be nice to reciprocate.
Definition: someone does something nice for you and you do the same thing for them
We often reciprocate ✅meals ✅favors ✅gestures ✅love ✅kindness
His kindness and generosity were not reciprocated.
Last time Seth paid for lunch, so today, Mark thought he would reciprocate by paying instead.
35 ADJECTIVES to describe emotions
#7 OVERSHADOW (usually used in the passive voice)
past simple: overshadowed past participle: overshadowed
Simple: Nobody could enjoy the family reunion because everyone was thinking about the recent death in the family.
Advanced: The family reunion was overshadowed by the recent death in the family.
Definition: to make something seem less important / less interesting
The success of her latest hit song was overshadowed by rumors of drug addiction.
I’m always overshadowed by my perfect little sister.
Concern about the oncoming storm may overshadow the turnout for the Sunday family picnic.
#8 GARNER
past simple: garnered past participle: garnered
Simple: I’m happy we got enough votes to pass this new law. Advanced: I’m thrilled we garnered enough votes to pass this new law.
Definition: to earn something because of hard work
We often garner ✅respect ✅support ✅evidence ✅votes
The company garnered a reputation as web security experts.
James would bring a red rose to her desk to garner Emily’s attention every day.
#9 ENFORCE
past simple: enforced past participle: enforced
Simple: It’s not easy to make people follow laws. Advanced: It’s challenging to enforce laws.
Definition: to make people follow rules/laws
Police patrolled the streets to enforce the 10 p.m. curfew.
Wearing masks in public is mandatory, but it seems that no one is enforcing it.
#10 CULTIVATE
past simple: cultivated past participle: cultivated
Simple: Making the park open to everyone will help make the community happier.
Advanced: Making the park open to everyone will help cultivate community spirit.
Definition: to help grow and develop
We often cultivate ✅relationships ✅friendships ✅interests
Ambassadors help to cultivate relationships between different countries.
Jeremy and Seth liked to ask questions about each other to cultivate their friendship.
