Grammar basics
Action verbs
An action verb shows something you do, like run, code or drink. You can usually see or hear the action.
Is it an action?
Ask: "Can I be doing it right now?" If yes, it is an action verb. Action verbs can use -ing: I am coding.
| Kind | Examples |
|---|---|
| Body | run, walk, swim, jump |
| Daily life | drink, cook, read, sleep |
| Work and tech | code, build, test, deploy |
The opposite is a stative verb, which shows a state, not an action.
Tech words are often verbs
Many words developers use are action verbs: code, test, push, deploy, debug. Some are also nouns: I write code (noun) and I code every day (verb).
Run
To move fast on your feet. A program can also run on a computer.
I run in the park every morning.
Code
To write instructions for a computer.
I code for two hours after work.
Drink
To put a liquid in your mouth and swallow it.
I drink green tea at work.
Cook
To make food hot and ready to eat.
My mom cooks the best tom yum.
Read
To look at words and understand them.
I read English news every day.
Deploy
To put your app on a server so people can use it.
We deploy the new version every Monday.