English is a language of exceptions, where when learning a new grammatical rule, students are faced with a dozen buts in which this rule does not apply. One of these rules is the use of irregular verbs in the past tense. For many English learners, this topic is a nightmare. But you can’t do without them, because these are the realities of English! However, there is good news - modern English is gradually getting rid of irregular verbs, replacing them with regular ones. Why and how - we'll look at it in the article.
Why are English verbs irregular?
Not only foreigners, but also native speakers themselves experience difficulty in using irregular verbs. But nevertheless, for English philologists, the non-standardity of this part of speech is not a drawback, but a reason for pride. They believe that irregular verbs are a cultural monument that perpetuates the history of the English language. The explanation for this fact is the Germanic roots of the origin of irregular verbs, which makes British English a traditional variant of the language. For comparison, Americans are trying hard to get rid of irregular shape, remaking it into the correct one. Therefore, the list of non-standard verbs increases for those who learn both versions of the language. Thus, the incorrect version is ancient, which is reflected in prose and poetry.
How many forms does a verb have in English?
Speaking about verbs in English, it should be noted that they have 3 forms:
- infinitive, aka ;
- I, or Participle I, - this form is used in the simple past tense ( Past Simple) and the 2nd and 3rd cases of the conditional mood (Conditional of the 2-d and of the 3-d case);
- Past Participle II, or Participle II, for the simple perfect tense of the long past tense ( Past Perfect), passive voice ( Passive Voice) and conditional of the 3-d case.
The table "Three in English" is presented later in the article.
What are regular and irregular verbs? Education rules
Regular verbs are those in which the past form (Past Simple) and the form Participle II (Participle II) are formed by adding the ending -ed to the initial form. The table "Three verb forms in English. Regular verbs" will help you better understand this rule.
There are some features when forming Participle I and Participle II:
- if the verb ends with the letter -e, then adding -ed does not double it;
- The consonant in monosyllabic verbs is duplicated when added. Example: stop - stopped (stop - stopped);
- if the verb ends in -y with a preceding consonant, then y changes to i before adding -ed.
Verbs that do not obey the general rule in the formation of tense forms are called irregular. In English, these include the Past Simple and Participle II verb forms.
Irregular verbs are formed using:
ablauta, in which the root changes. Example: swim - swam - swum (swim - swam - swam);
the use of suffixes different from those accepted in the grammar of the language. Example: do - did - done (do - did - did);
identical or unchangeable form. Example: cut - cut - cut (cut - cut - cut).
Because each irregular verb has its own inflection, they must be learned by heart.
There are a total of 218 irregular verbs in the English language, of which approximately 195 are in active use.
Recent research in the field of language shows that rare verbs are gradually disappearing from the language due to the replacement of the 2nd and 3rd forms with forms of the regular verb, that is, the addition of the ending - ed. This fact is confirmed by the table “Three verb forms in English” - the table presents a number of verbs that have both regular and irregular forms.
Table of irregular verbs
The table "Three Forms of Irregular Verbs in English" includes the most frequently used verbs. The table shows 3 forms and translation.
Irregular verbs came to modern English from Old English, which was spoken by the Angles and Saxons - British tribes.
Irregular verbs come from the so-called strong verbs, each of which had its own type of conjugation.
Researchers from Harvard found that the majority of verbs used are irregular, and they will remain so because they are used more often than others.
There is also a phenomenon in the history of the English language when a regular verb became irregular. For example, sneak, which has 2 forms - sneaked and snuck.
Problems with verbs not only affect English learners, but also native speakers, since even they fall into awkward situations when it comes to this difficult part of speech.
One of them is Jennifer Garner, who all her life was sure that sneak was the correct verb.
She was corrected by the host of one of the programs in which the actress took part. With a dictionary in hand, he pointed out to Jennifer her mistake.
Therefore, you should not be upset if you make mistakes when using irregular verbs. The main thing is that they do not become systematic.
Regular verbs
The table "Three forms of regular verbs in English with transcription and translation" is compiled on the basis of the most frequently used verbs.
Past Participle I and II |
|||
ask | |||
answer | |||
allow | |||
agree | |||
borrow, borrow | |||
copy, rewrite | |||
prepare | |||
close | |||
carry, drag | |||
call, call | |||
discuss | |||
decide, decide | |||
explain | explain | ||
slide | |||
cry, scream | |||
finish, finish, end | |||
shine | |||
rub | |||
grab | |||
help | |||
happen, happen | |||
manage | |||
look | |||
like | |||
move, move | |||
manage | |||
to be necessary, to need | |||
open | |||
recall | |||
suggest | sadgesture | ||
study, study | |||
stop, cease | |||
start off | |||
travel | |||
speak | |||
transfer | translate | ||
try, try | |||
use | |||
worry | |||
walk, walk | |||
look | |||
work |
Examples of using 3 forms of verbs with translation
Above we looked at 3 forms of verbs in English. A table with examples of use and translation will help reinforce the topic.
Here, for each grammatical construction, two examples are given - one with regular and one with irregular verbs.
Grammar design | Example in English | Translation |
Past Simple |
|
|
Present Perfect Tense |
|
|
Past Perfect Tense |
|
|
Passive Voice |
|
|
Conditional |
|
|
Exercises
To better memorize irregular verbs, you need not only to learn them by heart and repeat them, but also to perform various exercises.
Exercise 1. Here is the table "Three verb forms in English. Irregular verbs." Fill in one of the three missing forms.
Exercise 2. Here is the table "Three verb forms in English. Regular verbs." Insert forms Participle I and II.
Exercise 3. Using the tables, translate the following sentences into English.
- I was reading a book.
- We saw them yesterday.
- The Smiths lived in London until 2000. They then moved to Manchester.
- Alice was a university student in 2014.
- They worked in the same company two years ago.
- He just finished training.
- When we were children, my mother often took us to this park.
- I drove a toy car as a child.
Answers to exercises
Exercise 1.
Exercise 2.
asked, borrowed, closed, decided, explained, helped, started, traveled, used, worked.
Exercise 3.
- I read a book.
- We saw them yesterday.
- The Smiths lived in London till 2000. Then they moved to Manchester.
- Alice was a student of Univercity in 2014.
- They worked in the same company two years ago.
- He has just finished training.
- When we were children we took for a walk to this park.
- I drove a toy car in my childhood.
Make it a habit to periodically repeat the basic forms of the English verb. A table with irregular verbs, doing exercises and periodic repetition will help you quickly cope with the difficulties of the English language.
What is there that no rule can do without? Of course, no exceptions! Irregular verbs in the English language are also not spared. But, as they say, an irregular verb is not as scary as it is painted to be. Today we will look at different methods of memorizing irregular verbs.
Let's open any table of irregular verbs ( see at the end of the article), and you will see three columns there. The first column presents verbs in the impersonal, or (only without the particle to). This is what corresponds to Russian verbs ending in –т: draw, write, read – (to) draw, write, read.
The second column is - drew, wrote, read (yesterday, for example) - drew, wrote, read.
In the third column is the so-called second participle, or past participle.
Note The first participle corresponds to the Russian -yushchy/-yayushchy: drawing, writing, reading. In English, the first participle ends in –ing. – drawing, writing, rading.
Let's return to the third column, which represents the past participle - it corresponds to the Russian “made” - drawn, written, read. Third column for
- verbs in .
- perfect tense verbs:
I have already written my essay. I have already written an essay (or “I already have my essay written”).
I have read three books this month. I read three books this month. (Or I have three books read).
Have you ever drawn anything like that? Have you ever drawn anything like this? (Or have you ever had something like this drawn?)
What does "irregular verbs" mean?
Why are irregular verbs ( irregular verbs) are still “wrong”. The fact is that according to the rules, the so-called second and third forms are constructed by adding the ending –ed.
I work – I worked yesterday. – I have worked for three companies.
In irregular verbs, the second and third forms are formed in a completely individual way (go – went – gone), or do not change at all (put-put-put).
Methods of memorization
- Alphabetically - cram. Boring and useless.
- Make cards with three shapes on one side and a translation on the other. Periodically, when you have a minute (in transport, in the morning over a cup of coffee, etc.), go through the cards, checking yourself. If you remember, put it in the second pile, if not, leave it in the first and come back later. And so on until there is confident memorization. When you go through the cards, try to come up with examples - this also activates imaginative thinking, it’s easier to remember, and words are learned not separately, but in context.
- Poems. More like a child's way. But in whom does not a child live?? If you like it and evoke positive emotions, then why not? Here are examples of such poems
I'm at the buffet buy-bought-bought (buy)
First class sandwich
For him I pay-paid-paid, (pay)
In the classroom, on the desk lay-laid-laid (put)
And not at all think-thought-thought, (think)
That his neighbor will make him smarter.
And now I'm very sad -
Smell-smelt-smelt it’s very tasty! (smell)
Look, Screwtape's slingshot
Put-put-put (put) in your pocket
And begin-began-begun (begin)
Bully bully!
He's a pillow cut-cut-cut, (cut)
Brother in the bathroom shut-shut-shut, (close)
All newspapers are light-lit-lit, (set on fire)
Hit-hit-hit dog. (beat)
He ring-rang-rung (call) the neighbor
And, of course, run-ran-run. (run)
And not at all think-thought-thought, (think)
That the police will come.
Dig-dug-dug we are a vegetable garden, (dig)
Come-came-come there people. (come)
We said: “Go-went-gone, (go, leave)
This is not a farce for you.”We fight-fought-fought with our enemies, (fight, fight)
They are caught in a catch-caught-caught trap. (catch, catch)
Day bring-brought-brought good luck, (bring)
We get-got-got reward. (receive)
If the hares bite-bit-bitten, (bite)
Don't give them eat-ate-eaten, (eat)
They will soon learn-learnt-learnt (learn)
Dashing matches burn-burnt-burnt. (light up)
If a friend meet-met-met, (meet)
Keep him tight-kept-kept. (hold)
Well, what if lose-lost-lost, (to lose)
That's why it's cost-cost-cost. (cost)
Airplanes fly-flew-flown. (fly)
Our children are grow-grew-grown. (grow)
Well, the wind blow-blew-blown, (blow)
He knows-knew-known about everything. (know)
Grandfather and grandmother find-found-found (to find)
Basset hound dog.
Very close to old people
The dog become-became-become. (become)
Give-gave-given grandfather to him (give)
Dear basturma -
The dog needs to be fed-fed-fed (feed)
Something tasty for lunch!
Salad and cutlets for yourself
Old people don't let-let-let. (let)
Today grandmother and grandfather
Another life lead-led-led: (lead)
Grandfather dozes in the bath with a smile,
Grandmother dwell-dwelt-dwelt in the closet, (dwell)
Dog in bed lie-lay-lain, (lie down)
Just like Saddam Hussein.
We break-broke-broken the old house – (to break)
It was very boring there.
New house we draw-drew-draw, (draw)
Build-built-built – and we’ll live. (build)
- I like the idea of classifying irregular verbs into groups based on the similarity of formation of the second and third forms. This way it is much easier to teach them.
Table of irregular verbs in English:
Group 1 – all three forms are the same
Cost | Cost | Cost | cost |
---|---|---|---|
Cut | Cut | Cut | Cut |
Put | Put | Put | Putting |
Hit | Hit | Hit | hit, hit |
Hurt | Hurt | Hurt | Injure |
Let's | Let's | Let's | Let |
Shut | Shut | Shut | Close |
Group 2 – the second and third forms coincide
Burn | Burnt | Burnt | Burn, burn |
---|---|---|---|
Learn | Learn | Learn | Learn |
Smell | Smelt | Smelt | Smell |
Feel | Felt | Felt | Feel |
Leave | Left | Left | Leave, leave |
Meet | Met | Met | Meet |
Dream | Dreamt | Dreamt | Dream |
Mean | Meant | Meant | mean, imply |
Keep | Kept | Kept | keep, store |
Sleep | Slept | Slept | Sleep |
Lend | Lent | Lent | lend, lend |
Send | Sent | Sent | Send |
Spend | Spent | Spent | Spend, spend |
Build | Built | Built | Build |
Lose | Lost | Lost | Lose, lose |
Shoot | Shot | Shot | Fire |
Get | Got | Got | Receive |
Light | Lit | Lit | Light up, illuminate |
Sit | Sat | Sat | Sit |
Buy | Bought | Bought | Buy |
Bring | Brought | Brought | Bring |
Catch | Caught | Caught | Catch |
Fight | Fought | Fought | Fight |
Teach | Taught | Taught | Teach, teach |
Sell | Sold | Sold | Sell |
Tell | Told | Told | Tell |
Find | Found | Found | Find |
Have | Had | Had | Have |
Hear | Heard | Heard | Hear |
Hold | Held | Held | Hold |
Read | Read | Read | Read |
Say | Said | Said | Talk, say |
Pay | Paid | Paid | Pay |
Make | Made | Made | Do, produce |
Understand | Understood | Understood | understand |
Stand | Stood | Stood | Stand |
Group 3 – the second and third forms do not match
Break | Broke | Broken | Break |
---|---|---|---|
Choose | Chose | Chosen | Choose |
Speak | Spoke | Spoken | Speak |
Steal | Stole | Stolen | Steal |
Wake | Woke | Woken | Wake up, wake up |
Drive | Drove | Driven | Drive |
Ride | Rode | Ridden | ride |
Rise | Rose | Risen | Get up |
Write | Wrote | Written | Write |
Beat | Beat | Beaten | Beat |
Bite | Bit | bitten | Bite |
Hide | Hid | Hidden | Hide |
Eat | Ate | Eaten | Eat |
Fall | Fell | Fallen | Fall |
Forget | Forgot | Forgotten | Forget |
Forgive | Forgave | Forgiven | Forgive |
Give | Gave | Given | Giving |
See | Saw | Seen | See |
Take | Took | Taken | Take |
Blow | Blew | Blown | Blow |
Grow | Grew | Grown | Grow |
Know | Knew | Known | Know |
Throw | Threw | Thrown | Throw |
Fly | Flew | Flown | Fly |
Draw | Drew | Drawn | Paint |
Show | Showed | Shown | Show |
Begin | Began | Begun | Start off |
Drink | Drank | Drunk | Drink |
Swim | Swam | Swum | Swim |
Sing | Sang | Sung | Sing |
Ring | Rank | Rung | Call |
Run | Ran | Run | Run |
Come | Came | Come | Come |
Become | Became | Become | Become |
Be | Was/were | Been | be |
Go | Went | Gone | go, walk |
- To make the process of memorizing irregular verbs more exciting, my students and I make up stories together. That is, one person takes out a card, remembers all the forms and meanings, and then writes a sentence using the second or third form. The next one takes out the second card and continues the story. As a rule, it turns out very funny. And bright positive emotions, especially laughter, are known to promote memory.
Don’t put it off for a long time - it’s better to cut some leaves right now, make cards - and go ahead! And find an accomplice to make up stories.
If you've gotten to the point of learning verbs, you've already gone through a lot. But there's more to come long road to perfection. The temporary system is based on such a distinction between this part of speech as correct and incorrect. It is the latter that we will talk about and explain how to quickly learn irregular verbs.
So, we already know that with the passage of time, foreign conquests or other interactions of people, the English language also did not stand aside. This is especially true for verbs. If we study tenses, then we have to differentiate according to this category. Irregular Verbs are found in almost every one of them.
Forms of irregular verbs in English
Where to start? From familiarization. What types are there, when and how are they used. After all, when reading the rule, you often come across the expression 2nd form, 3rd. We will now look at what it is. Once again, it is worth recalling that there are 3 forms of irregular verbs (some linguists distinguish four).
First form is an infinitive or first column of the table. This is how the verb is used in the dictionary: run, swim, give. It is used in Present Simple, Future Simple, in interrogative and negative Past sentences Simple.
Second form - This is the simple past tense: ran, swam, gave (second column). In this form, irregular English verbs are used in the Past Simple (with the exception of interrogative and negative sentences).
Third form- this is the past participle (Past Participle or Participle II): run, swun, given. This form of the verb is used most often. In Perfect times, in all times Passive Voice. You will find it in third column of the table.
Fourth form- this is the present participle (Present Participle or Participle I): running, swimming, giving. Times use her Continuous groups And Perfect Continuous. Not all tables contain a fourth column, only some do.
When considering sentences with irregular verbs, pay attention to the tense.
How are the main irregular verbs of the English language formed?
It is impossible to clearly determine that these words are changed in this way, and others in the second or third way. But it is still possible to trace a certain trend, and then it will not be a collection of words and incomprehensible forms.
- By changing the vowel in the root of the word: meet - met - met; begin - began - begun.
- Changing the root and adding a suffix: speak - spoke - spoken; give - gave - given.
- The ending changes: send - sent - sent; build - built - built.
- And some verbs are the same in all forms: cut - cut - cut; put - put - put.
How to learn irregular verbs?
Each has its own methodology, its own method, which has its own pros and cons. But first I would like to say a few generally accepted facts. First, learn all three forms at once and with translation. Irregular verbs with translation can be found in almost any grammar textbook, dictionary, on Internet resources and on our website. All full table can be downloaded. Don’t learn 10 at once, take 5, stretch them out over 3-4 days, do the exercises. Many learn in a row, in alphabetical order, some in groups (depending on the method of education). I believe that the second one is more effective and easier. Therefore, we will divide all irregular English verbs into groups.
1. Completely identical
bet | bet | bet | bet |
cost | cost | cost | cost |
cut | cut | cut | cut |
hit | hit | hit | hit |
hurt | hurt | hurt | damage |
let | let | let | let |
put | put | put | put |
set | set | set | install, put |
shed | shed | shed | reset |
shut | shut | shut | close |
spit | spit | spit | spit |
split | split | split | divide, split |
spread | spread | spread | distribute |
trust | trust | trust | trust |
2. The second and third shapes coincide - p-t
3. The second and third forms coincide - d-t
4. The root vowel changes - ew - own
5. A group of verbs with different root vowels
6. Endings aught/ought
7. Vowel alternation
become | became | become | become |
come | came | come | come |
run | ran | run | run |
8. Alternating vowel + ending en
9. Alternation, ending en, doubling a consonant
bite | bit | bitten | bite |
fall | fell | fallen | fall |
forbid | forbade | forbidden | forbid |
hide | hid | hidden | hide |
ride | rode | ridden | ride |
write | wrote | written | write |
forget | forgot | forgotten | forget |
10. The second and third forms coincide
second and third | ||
built | built | build |
dig | dug | drip |
find | found | find |
get | got | receive |
have | had | have |
hear | heard | hear |
hold | held | hold |
lead | led | lead |
leave | left | leave |
lose | lost | lose |
make | made | do |
shine | shone | shine |
shoot | shot | fire |
sit | sat | sit |
win | won | win |
stick | stuck | stick, get stuck, |
strike | struke | hit, beat |
stand | stood | stand |
understand | understood | understand |
deal | dealt | deal with |
mean | meant | mean |
sell | sold | sell |
tell | told | speak |
lay | laid | put |
pay | paid | pay |
say | said | say |
bleed | bled | bleed |
feel | felt | feel |
meet | met | meet |
feed | fed | feed |
11.Have two options
burn | burnt/burned | burnt/burned | burn, burn |
dream | dreamed/dreamed | dreamed/dreamed | dream |
dwell | dwelt/dwelled | dwelt/dwelled | dwell, live |
hang | hung/hanged | hung/hanged | hang |
kneel | knelt/kneeled | knelt/kneeled | kneel down, bow down |
knit | knit/knitted | knit/knitted | knit |
lean | lean/leaned | lean/leaned | lean, lean |
leap | leapt/leaped | leapt/leaped | jump up, jump |
learn | learned/learned | learned/learned | learn |
light | lit/lighted | lit/lighted | light up |
prove | proved | proven/proved | prove |
sew | sewed | sewn/sewed | sew |
smell | smelt/smelled | smelt/smelled | sniff, smell |
speed | sped/speeded | sped/speeded | accelerate |
spell | spelled/spelled | spelled/spelled | spell |
spoiler | spoilt/spoiled | spoilt/spoiled | spoil |
12. Completely different shapes
Remembering irregular verbs in English at first seems difficult and tedious. But believe me, if you don’t reboot yourself, study using the groups that we have provided, you will easily master them. And this is very important! All irregular verbs are very often used in speech. Learn grammar and expand your vocabulary.
Anyone who has ever sat down to read an English textbook knows about such a phenomenon as a list of incorrect English verbs. What is this list? It contains verbs that deviate from the standard rules for forming past tense and participle forms. It is believed that about seventy percent of irregular verbs (the English name of the term) are used in everyday speech.
From this we can conclude that knowing the list of irregular verbs in English is simply necessary if you want to speak fluently and understand your interlocutor.
The total number of irregular verbs is about 470 words. Is it possible to learn such a volume? Of course, this is quite possible. However, in order for you to feel confident when speaking English, you just need to know 180 verbs.
Before turning directly to the list itself, we will give some tips on how to quickly and efficiently achieve the desired knowledge.
Rote learning
The technique of rote memorization of information is one of the most common techniques. But how effective is it?
When learning, we often notice that large number words are quickly forgotten, and some flatly refuse to settle in our long-term memory. In order for this technique to show its best side, it is necessary to use the learned verbs in practice as often as possible. By the way, subsequent listening to them in some movie, program or just a song helps a lot.
Be sure to have a list of irregular English verbs with translation.
First, you will have to become well acquainted with the meaning of each new word. Usually all irregular verbs tables include a translation column, so you don't have to worry about hours of independent work with a dictionary. Once the correct associations with your native language are in your head, you can calmly move on to the forms being formed.
Irregular Verbs in Poems
Don't worry - you're not the only student trying to master the full list of English irregular verbs, and there is someone to share your hardships. And some craftsmen even try to help somehow.
On the Internet you can easily find all kinds of poems created specifically for such purposes. They contain a number of the most common verbs, skillfully integrated into the overall rhyme and tone of the work. There are also a lot of funny associations, so it will be even easier to remember the necessary information.
using irregular verbs
Games can be played not only by children, but also by adults. And when it comes to training foreign language, then games are one of the most effective ways to memorize. You can also find ready-made options on the Internet. Usually these are flash cards, various animations or mini-games, accompanied by sound examples If you don’t really want to play on the computer, then you can easily do something with your own hands, for example the same cards. If you have an English learning partner, then analogue word games or creating dialogues consisting of irregular verbs would be appropriate.
Meet Irregular Verbs
Having talked a little about the methods of memorization, we move on to the most important thing. So, we present you a list of irregular English verbs with translation.
Verbs in alphabetical order (a, b, c, d)
Verbs starting with a:
abide - abode - abided - abide, hold on;
arise - arose - arisen - rise, arise;
awake - awoke - awake; awoke - to wake up, wake up.
Starting with the letter b:
backbite - backbitten - backbitten - to slander;
backslide - backslid - backslid - fall away;
be - was (were) - been - to be, to be;
bear - bore - born - bear, be born;
beat - beat - beaten - to beat;
become - became - become - become, become;
befall - befell - befallen - happen;
beget - begot (begat) - begotten - generate;
begin - began - begun - to begin;
begird - begirt - begirt - to girdle;
behold - beheld - beheld - to mature;
bend - bent - bended - bend;
bereave - bereft (bereaved) - bereft (bereaved) - deprive;
beseech - besought (beseeched) - b-esought (beseeched) - beg, beg;
beset - beset - beset - to besiege;
bespeak - bespoke - bespoken - to order;
bespit - bespat - bespat - to spit;
bestride - bestrode - bestridden - sit down, sit astride;
bet - bet (betted) - bet (betted) - bet;
betake - betook - betaken - accepted, sent;
bid - bad (bade) - bid (bidden) - command, ask;
bind - bound - bound - bind;
bite - bit - bit (bitten) - bite;
bleed - bled - bled - to bleed;
bless - blessed - blessed (blest) - to bless;
blow - blew - blown (blowed) - blow;
break - broken - broken - (c) to break;
breed - bred - bred - to grow;
bring - brought - brought - bring;
broadcast - broadcast - broadcast - distribute, scatter;
browbeat - browbeat - browbeaten - to scare;
build - built - built - to build;
burn - burnt (burned) - burnt (burned) - burn, burn;
burst - burst - burst - burst, explode;
bust - bust (busted) - bust (busted) - split (someone);
buy - bought - bought - to buy.
Verbs starting with:
can - could - could - be able to, be able;
catch - caught - caught - to catch, to catch;
choose - chose - chosen - choose;
cleave - clove (cleft, cleaved) - cloven (cleft, cleaved) - cut;
cling - clung - clung - cling, cling;
come - came - come - to come;
cost - cost - cost - cost;
creep - crept - crept - crawl;
cut - cut - cut - cut.
Verbs starting with d:
dare - durst (dared) - dared - dare;
deal - dealt - dealt - to deal;
dig - dug - dug - dig;
dive - dived (dove) - dived - dive, plunge;
do - did - done - do;
draw - drew - drawn - draw, drag;
dream - dreamt (dreamed) - dreamt (dreamed) - sleep, dream;
drink - drank - drunk - to drink,
drive - drove - driven - to drive, drive;
dwell - dwelt - dwelt - to dwell, to linger.
Continuation of the alphabet (e, g, f, h)
Verbs starting with e:
eat - ate - eaten - eat, eat.
Verbs starting with f:
fall - fell - fallen - fall;
feed - fed - fed - to feed;
feel - felt - felt - to feel;
fight - fought - fought - to fight;
find - found - found - to find;
flee - fled - fled - to run away, to escape;
floodlight - floodlighted (floodlit) - floodlighted (floodlit) - shine with a spotlight;
fly - flew - flown - fly;
forbear - forbore - forborne - to refrain;
forbid - forbad (forbade) - forbidden - prohibit;
forecast - forecast (forecasted) - forecast (forecasted) - predict;
foresee - foresaw - foreseen - to foresee;
forget - forgot - forgotten - to forget;
forgive - forgave - forgiven - to forgive;
forsake - forsook - forsaken - to leave;
forswear - forswore - forsworn - to renounce;
freeze - froze - frozen - freeze, freeze.
Verbs starting with g:
gainsay - gainsaid - gainsaid - deny, contradict;
get - got - got - get;
gird - girded (girt) - girded (girt) - girdle;
give - gave - given - give;
go - went - gone - go, leave;
grave - graved - graved (graven) - engrave;
grind - ground - ground - sharpen, grind;
grow - grown - grown - to grow.
Verbs starting with h:
hang - hung (hanged) - hung (hanged) - hang;
have - had - had - to have;
hear - heard - heard - hear;
hew - hewed - hewed; hewn - to chop, hew;
hide - hid - hidden - hide;
hit - hit - hit - hit, hit;
hold - held - held - to hold;
hurt - hurt - hurt - to cause pain, to offend.
Second part of the alphabet
Verbs starting with i:
inlay - inlaid - inlaid - to put in, to lay out;
input - input (inputted) - input (inputted) - enter;
inset - inset - inset - insert, invest;
interweave - interwove - interwoven - to weave, cover with a pattern.
Verbs starting with k:
keep - kept - kept - keep;
ken - kenned (kent) - kenned - to know, to recognize by sight;
kneel - knelt (kneeled) - knelt (kneeled) - kneel;
knit - knit (knitted) - knit (knitted) - knit;
know - knew - known - to know.
Verbs starting with l:
lade - laded - laded (laden) - to load;
lay - laid - laid - put, put;
lead - led - led - to lead;
lean - leant (leaned) - leant (leaned) - lean, lean;
leap - leapt (leaped) - leapt (leaped) - jump;
learn - learnt (learned) - learnt (learned) - teach;
leave - left - left - throw;
lend - lent - lent - lend;
let - let - let - let go, give;
lie - lay - lain - lie down;
light - lit (lighted) - lit (lighted) - illuminate;
lose - lost - lost - to lose.
Verbs starting with m:
make - made - made - create;
may - might - might - be able, have the opportunity;
mean - meant - meant - have meaning;
meet - met - met - to meet;
miscast - miscast - miscast - incorrectly distribute roles;
mishear - misheard - misheard - mishear;
mishit - mishit - mishit - miss;
mislay - mislaid - mislaid - put in another place;
mislead - misled - misled - to confuse;
misread - misread - misread - misinterpret;
misspell - misspelt (misspeled) - misspelt (misspeled) - write with errors;
misspend - misspent - misspent - save;
misunderstand - misunderstood - misunderstood - misunderstand;
mow - mowed - mown (mowed) - mow (lawn).
Verbs starting with r:
rid - rid (ridded) - rid (ridded) - get rid of;
ride - rode - ridden - ride on horseback;
ring - rang - rung - call;
rise - rose - risen - rise;
run - ran - run - run, flow.
Verbs starting with s:
saw - sawed - sawn (sawed) - sawing;
say - said - said - to speak, to say;
see - saw - seen - to see;
seek - sought - sought - to search;
sell - sold - sold - trade;
send - sent - sent - send;
set - set - set - install;
shake - shook - shaken - shake;
shave - shaved - shaved (shaven) - shave;
shed - shed - shed - to spill;
shine - shone (shined) - shone (shined) - shine, shine;
shoot - shot - shot - shoot, shoot;
show - showed - shown (showed) - show;
shut - shut - shut - slam;
sing - sang - sung - sing;
sink - sank - sunk - to sink, sink, sink;
sit - sat - sat - sit;
sleep - slept - slept - sleep;
slide - slide - slide - slide;
slit - slit - slit - to tear, cut;
smell - smelt (smelled) - smelt (smelled) - smell, smell;
speak - spoke - spoken - carry on a conversation;
speed - sped (speeded) - sped (speeded) - accelerate, hurry;
spell - spelled (spelled) - spell (spelled) - write or read, pronouncing each letter;
spend - spent - spent - spend;
spill - spilt (spilled) - spilt (spilled) - to spill;
spin - spun (span) - spun - spin;
spit - spat (spit) - spat (spit) - don't care;
split - split - split - split;
spoil - spoilt (spoiled) - spoilt (spoiled) - spoil;
spotlight - spotlit (spotlighted) - spotlit (spotlighted) - illuminate;
spread - spread - spread - spread;
stand - stood - stood - stand;
steal - stole - stolen - to steal;
stick - stuck - stuck - to prick, glue;
sting - stung - stung - sting;
stink - stank; stunk - stunk - smell unpleasant;
strike - struck - struck - to strike, beat, go on strike;
swear - swore - sworn - to swear, take an oath;
swell - swelled - swollen (swelled) - to swell;
swim - swam - swum - to swim;
swing - swung - swung - swing.
Verbs starting with t:
take - took - taken - take, take;
teach - taught - taught - learn;
tear - tore - torn - tear;
tell - told - told - tell, say;
think - thought - thought - think;
throw - thrown - thrown - throw.
Verbs starting with w:
wake - woke (waked) - woken (waked) - wake up, wake up;
wear - wore - worn - wear (clothes);
weave - wove (weaved) - woven (weaved) - weave;
wed - wed (wedded) - wed (wedded) - to give in marriage;
weep - wept - wept - cry;
wet - wet (wetted) - wet (wetted) - wet, moisturize;
win - won - won - win;
wind - wound - wound - wind up (mechanism);
write - wrote - written - to write.
We hope that after reading the article, the English language has become a little clearer for you.
Today's material will again be devoted to the great and powerful English verb. Why is the predicate in an English sentence given so much attention? Because it not only expresses any actions, but also indicates the time of their implementation. To be able to correctly convey the time of events, you need to know what regular verbs and irregular verbs are in English. This article will help you understand this important topic.
The English are very attentive to the delimitation of temporal moments, which is responsible for a large number of different verb forms and combinations. Let us remember the system of these times.
There are four main aspects to the English language:
- Simple ( simple steps);
- Continuous ( ongoing processes);
- Perfect ( completed actions);
- Perfect Continuous ( actions are still in progress, but certain results have already been achieved).
And in each of these points, the Present, Past and Future tenses are distinguished accordingly.
The classification into regular and irregular verbs in English is associated with the formation of the past in and all types of tenses in. So let's get to the point.
English grammar has general rule constructing speech structures related to the past. According to this grammatical norm Every verb expressing past events must take the ending –ed. Moreover, this ending is the same for both the form in the Present Simple and for the past participle (Participle I), with the help of which constructions in the Perfect are formed.
Infinitive | Transformation | Past tense |
ask | +ed | asked |
want | wanted | |
visit | visited |
But sometimes it happens that the original use of words is firmly entrenched in speech and does not want to obey any newfangled rules. This is what happened with English verbs. Due to historical traditions, about 470 words are an exception to of this rule. Accordingly, this is where the division into regular and irregular verbs of the English language comes from.
And if everything is clear about regular verbs, then the question arises, to what norm do irregular English verbs obey? But none. There is absolutely not a single rule that at least somehow generalizes the principles of changing them.
Some irregular verbs in the English language have forms that completely coincide with the infinitive. For others, everything seems to be written the same, but unexpectedly it reads differently. For others, 2 types of verb forms coincide, and for others, all three types have a different form.
Infinitive | Past Simple | Past Participle |
put | put | put |
read [read] | read [ed] | read [ed] |
shoot | shot | shot |
shake | shook | shaken |
To learn how to easily compose sentences with such verbs, there is no other way than to learn all forms by heart.
As we have already noted, the English language has approximately 470 irregular verbs. But we naturally do not call for teaching them all. It is enough to familiarize yourself with the most commonly used ones, of which, ironically, there are also many.
To facilitate understanding of this topic and further language learning, in the next section we will provide lists of popular English verbs of regular and irregular form. Skill comes with practice, so after a few lessons you will automatically use these words without thinking long about the rules and exceptions.
Popular regular verbs and irregular verbs in English
Let's look at 50 verbs of each type, most often used by the English in everyday speech.
Regular verbs
Infinitive | Past simple = participle I | Translation |
answer | answered | reply |
ask | asked | ask, ask |
believe | believed | trust, believe, believe |
call | called | call, call |
change | changed | replace, change |
clean | cleaned | clean, tidy up |
close | closed | close |
cook | cooked | prepare |
cry | cried | scream, cry |
dance | danced | dance |
decide | decided | decide |
explain | explained | explain |
finish | finished | complete, finish |
hate | hated | hate |
help | helped | help |
hope | hoped | hope |
interest | interested | be interested |
join | joined | connect, join |
jump | jumped | jump |
laugh | laughed | laugh |
listen | listened | listen |
live | lived | live |
look | looked | take a look, look |
love | loved | love |
manage | managed | manage, cope |
miss | missed | miss, miss |
move | moved | move, move |
need | needed | need |
open | opened | open |
paint | painted | to paint, to paint |
pass | passed | pass, pass |
play | played | play |
prefer | preferred | prefer, serve |
promise | promised | promise, assure |
realize | realized | realize, understand |
remember | remembered | remember, memorize |
serve | served | serve, serve |
start | started | start off |
stop | stopped | stop |
study | studied | study |
talk | talked | talk, talk |
touch | touched | touch |
travel | travelled | travel |
try | tried | try |
use | used | use |
walk | walked | walk, walk |
want | wanted | want |
wash | washed | wash, wash |
watch | watched | look |
work | worked | work |
Incorrect
Infinitive | Past Simple | Participle I | Translation |
be | was/were | been | to be, to exist |
become | became | become | become, transform |
begin | began | begun | begin, begin |
bring | brought | brought | bring, deliver |
build | built | built | build |
buy | bought | bought | buy, buy |
catch | caught | caught | catch, catch |
come | came | come | come, come |
cost | cost | cost | cost |
do | did | done | do, perform |
draw | drew | drawn | paint |
drink | drank | drunk | drink |
drive | drove | driven | drive a car |
eat | ate | eaten | eat |
fall | fell | fallen | fall, fall |
feel | felt | felt | feel |
find | found | found | find |
fly | flew | flown | fly, fly |
forgive | forgave | forgiven | forgive |
get | got | got | receive, get |
give | gave | given | give |
go | went | gone | go, head |
grow | grew | grown | grow, grow |
have | had | had | have |
hear | heard | heard | hear |
keep | kept | kept | keep, store |
know | knew | known | know |
leave | left | left | leave, leave |
let | let | let | let |
lie | lay | lain | lie |
lose | lost | lost | lose, lose |
make | made | made | do, produce |
mean | meant | meant | mean, mean |
meet | met | met | meet, meet |
pay | paid | paid | pay |
read | read | read | read |
run | ran | run | run |
say | said | said | speak |
see | saw | seen | see |
send | sent | sent | send, send |
show | showed | shown | show |
sit | sat | sat | sit down, sit |
sleep | slept | slept | sleep |
speak | spoke | spoken | talk, talk |
spend | spent | spent | spend, spend |
take | took | taken | take, grab, take |
tell | told | told | tell, talk, report |
think | thought | thought | think |
wake | woke up | woken | wake up |
write | wrote | written | write |
Now you are familiar with the most frequently used regular verbs and popular irregular verbs in the English language. Each table contains the minimum that beginners need. We recommend that you print this material and use it as a cheat sheet to compile various offers. After several lessons, you won’t even notice how you remember most of the words by heart.