Opposites: Opposite of Verbs

Subject: English • Topic: Opposites • Subtopic: Opposite of Verbs
Age: 6 (Kenya) — simple grammar notes with pictures and activities.

What is a verb?

A verb is a word that shows an action. Examples: run, sit, eat.
The opposite of a verb is another action that means the other thing. We call these antonyms.

Common verbs and their opposites

Come ↔ Go
🏠➡️ ↔ ⬅️🏃
Example: "Mama, come here." — "No, go there."
Sit ↔ Stand
🪑⬇️ ↔ 🧍⬆️
Example: "Sit down." — "Stand up."
Open ↔ Close
🚪🔓 ↔ 🚪🔒
Example: "Open the door." — "Close the door."
Start ↔ Stop
▶️ ↔ ⏸️
Example: "Start the game." — "Stop the game."
Push ↔ Pull
🧍‍♂️➡️ ↔ ⬅️🧍‍♀️
Example: "Push the door." — "Pull the door."
Laugh ↔ Cry
😄 ↔ 😢
Example: "She laughs." — "She cries."
Give ↔ Take
🤲➡️ ↔ ⬅️🤲
Example: "Give me the cup." — "Take the cup."
Sleep ↔ Wake (wake up)
😴 ↔ 🌅
Example: "He sleeps." — "He wakes up."

How to use opposites in sentences

  • Use the verb to show the action: "I run."
  • Use the opposite verb to show the other action: "I walk." (run ↔ walk)
  • Make short sentences: "She sits." / "She stands."

Activities (Try these with a teacher or parent)

  1. Match: Draw a line from the verb to its opposite.
    Sit — Go   |   Stand — Come   |   Open — Close
  2. Fill in the blank:
    1) I ____(open/close) the book. (opposite: close)
    2) Please ____(come/go) here. (opposite: go)
  3. Say aloud: Ask your parent to show actions and you say the opposite word (fun game!).

Tips for teachers and parents (Kenyan classrooms)

  • Use local examples: "Run to the field" / "Walk back to the house".
  • Use actions in a song or a short play to show opposites.
  • Keep sentences short and show the action with your body for clarity.
Note: These are simple verb opposites for young learners. Some verbs have more than one opposite depending on meaning.

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