Written is an irregular verb. Complete list of irregular English verbs
Remember the multiplication table in mathematics? So, in English language this is a table of irregular verbs. This is one of the basics in English that you need to learn. An irregular verb is one that does not lend itself to the generally accepted rules of grammar. Below is table of irregular verbs in English with audio accompaniment. And if you really want to speak English fluently, you need to learn these verbs.
Infinitive | past simple (simple past tense) |
Past particle (past participle) |
Translation | |
be | was / were | been | be | |
beat | beat | beaten | beat | |
become | became | become | become | |
begin | started | begun | start off | |
break | broke | broken | break | |
bring | brought | brought | bring | |
build | built | built | build | |
burn | burnt | burnt | burn | |
burst | burst | burst | explode | |
buy | bought | bought | buy | |
can | could | could | be able to be able | |
catch | caught | caught | catch, grab | |
choose | chose | chosen | choose | |
come | came | come | come | |
cost | cost | cost | cost | |
cut | cut | cut | cut | |
do | did | done | do | |
draw | drew | drawn | to draw with a pencil) | |
drink | drank | drunk | drink | |
drive | drove | driven | drive) | |
eat | ate | eaten | eat, eat | |
fall | fell | fallen | fall | |
feel | felt | felt | feel | |
fight | fought | fought | fight | |
find | found | found | find | |
fly | flew | flown | fly | |
forget | forgot | forgotten | forget | |
get | got | got | get, become | |
give | gave | given | give | |
go | went | gone | go | |
grow | grew | grown | grow, grow | |
hang | hung | hung | hang, hang | |
have | had | had | have | |
hear | heard | heard | hear | |
hide | hidden | hidden | hide | |
hit | hit | hit | hit, hit | |
hold | held | held | hold | |
hurt | hurt | hurt | to cause a pain | |
keep | kept | kept | keep; continue to do | |
know | knew | known | know | |
learn | learned | learned | study) | |
leave | left | left | leave, leave | |
let | let | let | let | |
lie | lay | lain | lie | |
lose | lost | lost | lose | |
make | made | made | do, make | |
mean | meant | meant | keep in mind | |
meet | met | met | meet; meet | |
pay | paid | paid | to pay | |
prove | proved | proven | prove | |
put | put | put | put | |
read | read | read | read | |
ring | rank | rung | call | |
run | ran | run | run | |
say | said | said | say | |
see | saw | seen | see | |
set | set | set | put | |
sew | sewed | sewn | sew | |
sell | sold | sold | sell | |
send | sent | sent | send, send | |
shine | shone | shone | shine | |
show | showed | shown | show | |
shut | shut | shut | close, slam | |
sing | sang | sung | sing | |
sit | sat | sat | sit | |
sleep | slept | slept | sleep | |
speak | spoke | spoken | speak | |
spend | spent | spent | spend time) | |
spoil | spoilt | spoilt | spoil | |
spread | spread | spread | spread out | |
spring | sprang | sprung | jump | |
stand | stood | stood | stand | |
steal | stole | stolen | steal, steal | |
swim | swam | swum | swim | |
take | took | taken | take | |
teach | taught | taught | teach, teach | |
tell | told | told | tell (to someone) | |
think | thought | thought | think | |
throw | threw | thrown | throw | |
understand | understood | understood | understand | |
wake | woke | woken | wake up, wake up | |
wear | wore | worn | wear clothes) | |
weep | wept | wept | cry | |
win | won | won | win | |
write | wrote | written | write |
All who begin to dive into fascinating world learning English, often faces a whole bunch of problems and difficulties. This is not surprising. After all, incomprehensible speech turns, confusing tenses and irregular verbs can cloud science even to the most cheerful student. Let's figure out how to be where did irregular verbs come from in english?
It's no secret that every language goes through a lot of stages of its formation, is formed by the influence of neighboring countries and cultures. English is no exception. It is generally accepted that irregular verbs are echoes of the past, when the language was only at the stage of development.
The influence of European society on England was colossal and made its own adjustments to the sphere of communication. But, the English, a people who did not like change too much and honored their native speech. Therefore, he continued to communicate in his usual way. So, verbs that have passed through the centuries have taken root in modern society. It is worth noting that everything is in order with these words, they are correct, they are simply quite original and do not obey any time frame, therefore they are conjugated in their own way. So how do you master these parts of speech and finally learn them? There are many ways.
How to learn irregular English verbs?
Table of irregular English verbs quite extensive and has more than two hundred words. Oh, you say! Don't worry, most native English people don't know them all themselves. Enough to learn base words and you will be able to support any conversation and look at a decent level among the English-speaking society. And knowing a couple of effective ways, turn boring science into an exciting game.
To simplify this task, it is necessary to visualize the object of study. To do this, write out irregular verbs on cards and hang them all over the apartment, especially in places where you most often visit. So, they will always be in front of your eyes, thereby helping to memorize them without much difficulty.
If you want to teach your child a verb, you can prepare cards on which all forms will be written. So, folding a table like a puzzle, the child will remember more and more designs over and over again. Although, this version of the study can be practiced by an adult.
Another one from effective methods, is to download the audio version of the verbs and listen to them systematically, for example, on the way to work and home. And for a child, a great option would be to compose a song that consists of these words. Sing it together on the way to the store or when doing a joint business and after a week you will notice the first results.
English is quite easy to learn if you approach it from a creative side. Throw away boring memorization and monotonous repetitions, and soon you yourself will not notice how you will begin not only to speak, but also to think in this language.
English requires a detailed and systematic approach. Of course, if the priorities are obtaining knowledge that will help in practice. A special place within the framework of this goal is occupied, for which there are quite rational explanations.
Verb / Verb |
|||
be | were, were | been | Be |
beat | beat | beaten ["bi:tn] | Beat |
become | became | become | Become |
begin | started | begun | Start off |
bleed | bled | bled | Bleed |
blow | blew | blown | Blow |
break | broke | broken ["brouk(e)n] | Break |
bring | brought | brought | Bring |
build | built | built | Build |
burn | burnt | burnt | burn |
burst | burst | burst | Break out |
buy | bought | bought | Buy |
catch | caught | caught | catch, seize, catch |
choose | chose [ʃəuz] | chosen | Choose |
come | came | come | Come |
cost | cost | cost | Cost |
creep | crept | crept | Crawl |
cut | cut | cut | Cut |
do | did | done | Do |
draw | drew | drawn | draw, drag |
dream | dream | dream | Dream, nap |
drink | drank | drunk | Drink |
drive | drove | driven ["driven] | drive |
eat | ate | eaten ["i:tn] | Eat |
fall | fell | fallen ["fɔ:lən] | Fall |
feed | fed | fed | Feed |
feel | felt | felt | Feel |
fight | fought | fought | Fight |
find | found | found | Find |
fit | fit | fit | Fit to size |
fly | flew | flown | Fly |
forget | forgot | forgotten | Forget |
forgive | forgave | forgiven | Forgive |
freeze | frozen | frozen ["frouzn] | Freeze |
get[get] | got | got | Receive |
give | gave | given | giving |
go | went | gone | Go |
grow | grew | grown | Grow |
hang | hung | hung | Hang |
have | had | had | Have |
hear | heard | heard | Hear |
hide | hidden | hidden ["hidden] | Hide |
hit | hit | hit | hit the target |
hold | held | held | Hold |
hurt | hurt | hurt | Hurt |
keep | kept | kept | Contain |
kneel | knelt | knelt | Kneel |
know | knew | known | Know |
lay | laid | laid | put |
lead | led | led | News |
lean | lean | lean | Tilt |
learn | learned | learned | Learn |
leave | left | left | Leave |
lend | lent | lent | borrow |
let | let | let | Let |
lie | lay | lain | Lie |
light | lit | lit | illuminate |
lose | lost | lost | Lose |
make | made | made | Produce |
mean | meant | meant | To mean |
meet | met | met | Meet |
mistake | mistook | mistaken | make mistakes |
pay | paid | paid | To pay |
prove | proved | proven | Prove |
put | put | put | Put |
quit | quit | quit | go out |
read | read | read | Read |
ride | rode | ridden ["ridn] | ride a horse |
ring | rank | rung | Ring |
rise | rose | risen ["rizn] | Get up |
run | ran | run | run |
say | said | said | Speak |
see | saw | seen | See |
seek | sought | sought | Search |
sell | sold | sold | Sell |
send | sent | sent | Send |
set | set | set | Put |
sew | sewed | sewn | Sew |
shake [ʃeik] | shook [ʃuk] | shaken ["ʃeik(ə)n] | Shake |
show [ʃəu] | showed [ʃəud] | shown [ʃəun] | Show |
shrink [ʃriŋk] | shrank [ʃræŋk] | shrunk [ʃrʌŋk] | Reduce |
shut [ʃʌt] | shut [ʃʌt] | shut [ʃʌt] | Close |
sing | sang | sung | Sing |
sink | sank, sunk | sunk | Drown |
sit | sat | sat | Sit |
sleep | slept | slept | Sleep |
slide | slide | slide | Slide |
sow | sowed | sown | Sow |
speak | spoke | spoken ["spouk(e)n] | Speak |
spell | spelt | spelt | To spell |
spend | spent | spent | Spend |
spill | spilt | spilt | Shed |
spoil | spoilt | spoilt | Spoil |
spread | spread | spread | spread |
spring | sprang | sprung | Jump |
stand | stood | stood | Stand |
steal | stole | stolen ["stəulən] | Steal |
stick | stuck | stuck | prick |
sting | stung | stung | Sting |
sweep | swept | swept | sweep |
swell | swollen | swollen ["swoul(e)n] | Swell |
swim | swam | swum | Swim |
swing | swung | swung | Sway |
take | took | taken ["teik(ə)n] | Take, take |
teach | taught | taught | Learn |
tear | tore | torn | Tear |
tell | told | told | Tell |
think [θiŋk] | thought [θɔ:t] | thought [θɔ:t] | Think |
throw [θrəu] | threw [θru:] | thrown [θrəun] | Throw |
understand [ʌndə"stænd] | understood [ʌndə"stud] | understood [ʌndə"stud] | Understand |
wake | woke | woken ["wouk(e)n] | Wake up |
wear | wore | worn | Wear |
weep | wept | wept | Cry |
wet | wet | wet | wet |
win | won | won | Win |
wind | wound | wound | Wriggle |
write | wrote | written ["ritn] | Write |
Why is it important to know English irregular verbs?
So, irregular verbs, as mentioned above, play a key role in the successful study of English. Many people have been convinced of this. Consider the main nuances.
Practice shows that half of the mistakes made in speech and writing are the incorrect use of forms and tenses of verbs. Often the verb is superfluous in a sentence or used falsely. This can completely change the meaning. The principle of learning English is that you need to start with those topics in which mistakes are often made. That's why table of irregular verbs must be fully explored. Otherwise, it is realistic to get negative consequences, consisting in a confusion of phrases. When there are many mistakes, the desire to learn the language disappears. This cannot be allowed. It is important to focus on the success of the task. With the right approach, all goals will be achieved.
Irregular verbs can be used as builders of phrases and sentences that are unique in terms of impact and originality. English philologists are proud of such verbs, referring them to the origins of the ancient Germanic language. Many English-speaking poets and writers drew creative strength from them. Readers may say that they are not going to write poetry in English (although with time everything is possible, it is difficult to predict the twists of fate). However, they form its foundation. Without them, it is impossible to learn English. Many people who have devoted their free time to studying an international language have been able to verify this. A systematic approach will allow you to master all topics, including those that are considered to be difficult in terms of learning.
The study of irregular verbs is also required for the reason that some regular verbs are very similar to them. For example, found is like irregular verb. If it is perceived this way, then in practice there will be confusion. Every nuance is important and worth considering.
You need to start learning irregular verbs as early as possible. Most of them are based on exceptions rather than rules. This difficult moment should spur and stimulate. Regular verbs will become much easier to learn after. At all, basic irregular verbs in English yet they have a certain system. She will help you learn them.
Irregular verbs are difficult, that's a fact. However, it is worth devoting at least 10 minutes every day to these “insidious parts of speech” so that they are assimilated once and for all. Having a certain system will make the task a little easier. It is important to understand: without irregular verbs there will be no English. Therefore, it is worth giving them time.
Our topic today is an acquaintance with such an interesting phenomenon as the forms of irregular verbs. As you know, the English language is very cunning. This language often lays all sorts of traps for us. One of them is irregular verbs. English is not the only language that has irregular verbs. French also rich in irregular verbs. Three or four forms for irregular English verbs?
Romanian language, German, Latin language, Greek also contains irregular verbs. And even the Russian language is replete with them. I think you have repeatedly heard about irregular verbs in English, in other words, Irregular Verbs. Why are such verbs called irregular? Everything is very simple: in the past tense they are conjugated in their own way, have their own special form, while all other verbs in the past tense have the ending -ed.
How to distinguish irregular verbs from regular ones?
For comparison, let's conjugate 3 regular regular verbs in the simple past tense (Past Simple):
work- ra | sing | |
I worked | I translated | I managed |
You worked | you translated | You managed |
He worked | He translated | He managed |
She worked | She translated | She managed |
It worked | It translated | It managed |
We worked | We translated | We managed |
They worked | they translated | They managed |
As you can see, all 3 verbs are conjugated in the same way, according to the scheme stem + ending -ed.
The situation is quite different in the case of irregular verbs. We conjugate 3 more verbs in the simple past tense (Past Simple), which are incorrect, and here pay attention to the fact that each of these verbs has its own, completely different form at the end or even at the root of the word:
blow- blow | go- go | bring- bring |
I blew | I went | I brought |
You blew | You went | You brought |
He blew | He went | He brought |
She blew | She went | She brought |
It blew | It went | It brought |
We blew | We went | We brought |
They blew | They went | They brought |
Even to the naked eye it is clear that each of these verbs appeared in its own, completely different from the others, form. The catch is that there is no specific rule by which you can find out the form of an irregular verb. Each of them hides in their own way. The English language, friends, is full of tricky things and underwater reefs. Another catch is that each irregular verb has not one form, but three.
Three forms of irregular verbs
So what are these three forms?
- The first is the infinitive or initial (indefinite) form of the verb
- The second is Past Participle I, that is, the form that corresponds to the simple past tense (Past Simple), it is also used in the 2nd and 3rd cases of the conditional mood (Conditional of the 2-d and of the 3-d case)
- The third is Past Participle II, the one that is used in the perfect present tense (Present Perfect) and in the past tense (Past Perfect). The same form is used in the Passive Voice, Conditional of the 3-d case, and some other grammatical rules.
Here are some examples of 3 forms of irregular verbs:
- To arise - arose - arisen - rise
- To be - was, were - been - to be
- To bear - bore - born - give birth
- To become - became - become - become, become
- To begin - began - begun - begin
- To catch - caught - caught - catch, catch
- To choose - chose - chosen - choose
- To dig - dug - dug - dig, dig
- To dream - dream - dream - dream, dream
- To feel - felt - felt - feel
- To forget - forgot - forgotten - forget
- To have - had - had - to have
Now let's look at these 3 forms using examples of sentences in all of the above tenses of verbs.
- So, the simple past tense of the verb (Past Simple Tense):
Yesterday she felt(self-bad) to feel). She felt bad yesterday. Last Wednesday we met Jim ( to meet). We met Jim last Wednesday. Last night I dream you ( to dream). “I dreamed about you last night. I was in Paris last year ( to be) — I was in Paris last year.
- Perfect present tense of the verb (Present Perfect Tense):
I have just seen him ( to see). “I just saw him. Tom has already brought my books ( to bring). Tom has already brought my books. Have you ever been in London to be)? - Have you ever been in London? Ann has already forgotten her boy-friend( to forget).- Anna has already forgotten her boyfriend.
- The past tense of the verb (Past Perfect Tense):
I noticed that I had forgotten my keys( to forget). — I noticed that I forgot my keys. He understood that he had lost his documents ( to lose). He realized that he had lost his papers.
- Passive voice (Passive Voice):
The dog is fed by me ( to feed). The dog is fed by me (I fed the dog). Made in France ( to make). - Made in France.
- Conditional mood of the 2nd and 3rd cases (Conditional). Here are the second and third forms:
If I had money, I would buy a car to have). - If I had money, I would buy a car (real condition). If I had money, I would have bought a car ( to have, to buy).- If I had money, I would buy a car (unreal condition, past tense).
How to learn all forms of irregular verbs?
Irregular Verbs Cheat Sheet
As mentioned above, there are no rules by which the forms of irregular verbs are formed, each has its own. But, we hope that this poetic form will help you quickly remember such irregular verbs:
To write-wrote-written
To eat-ate-eat
To speak-spoke-spoken
To break-broke-broken
To come-came-come
To become-became-become
To run-run-run
To swim swam swum
To know-knew-known
To throw-threw-thrown
To blow-blew-blown
To fly-flew-flown
Tossing-sang-sung
To ring-rang-rung
To hide-hid-hidden
To bite-bit-bitten
To send-sent-sent
To spend-spent-spent
To sleep-slept-slept
To keep-kept-kept
To tell-told-told
To sell-sold-sold
To teach-taught-taught
To catch-caught-caught
To fight-fought-fought
To think-thought-thought
To buy-bought-bought
To bring-brought-brought
To cut-cut-cut
To shut-shut-shut
To cost-cost-cost
To lose-lost-lost
To lead-led-led
To feed-fed-fed
To feel-felt-felt
To hold-held-held
From this funny poetic form, we see that some irregular verbs have the same letter combinations, which allows them to rhyme and thus make it easier for us to memorize them.
The "fourth" form of irregular verbs
There is a popular belief that there is also a 4th form of irregular verbs. This 4th configuration is formed according to the scheme base + ending -ing. It defines the Present Participle, that is, the present participle in tenses such as the present continuous (Present Continuous) and the past continuous (Past Continuous). In other words, this is the present and past tense of the imperfect form. It follows from this that there are not 3, but 4 forms of irregular verbs. But this 4th configuration is, as it were, unofficial.
Consider this same 4th form using examples of sentences with Present Continuous:
The same 4th form in sentences with Past Continuous.
Everyone who has ever sat down at an English textbook knows about such a phenomenon as a list of irregular English verbs. What is this list? It contains verbs that deviate from the standard rules for the formation of past tenses and participles. It is believed that in daily speech about seventy percent are used precisely irregular verbs (English name term).
From this we can conclude that knowing the list of irregular verbs in English is simply necessary if you want to speak and understand the interlocutor fluently.
The total number of irregular verbs is about 470 words. Is it possible to learn such a volume? Of course, this is quite real. However, in order for you to feel confident when speaking in English, you only need to know 180 verbs.
Before turning directly to the list itself, we will give some tips on how to achieve the desired knowledge as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Mechanical learning
The technique of mechanical memorization of information is one of the most common techniques. But how effective is it?
When memorizing, we often notice that a large number of words are quickly forgotten, and some even flatly refuse to settle in our long-term memory. In order for this technique to show itself only from the best side, it is necessary to use the learned verbs in practice as often as possible. By the way, listening to them in a movie, program or just a song helps a lot.
Be sure to have a list of irregular English verbs with translation
To begin with, you will have to become familiar with the meaning of each new word. Usually all irregular verbs tables include a translation column, so don't worry about hours of independent work with dictionary. After the correct associations with the native language fit in the head, you can safely move on to the formed forms.
Irregular Verbs in Poems
Don't worry - you're not the only student trying to master the full list of English irregular verbs, and your hardships have someone to share. And some craftsmen even try to somehow help.
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 built into the overall rhyme and tone of the work. And there are many funny associations there, so remember necessary information will be even easier.
using irregular verbs
Games can be played not only by children, but also by adults. And when it comes to education foreign language, then games are one of the most effective ways of remembering. 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 a computer, then you can easily do something with your own hands, for example, the same cards. If you have an English learning partner, then an analogue of a word game or the creation of dialogues consisting of irregular verbs would be appropriate.
Meet Irregular Verbs
Having told 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.
Alphabetical verbs (a, b, c, d)
Verbs starting with a:
abide - abode - abided - stay, hold on;
arise - arose - arisen - rise, arise;
awake-awoke-awaked; awoke - wake up, wake up.
For the letter b:
backbite - backbitten - backbitten - slander;
backslide - backslid - backslid - fall off;
be - was (were) - been - to be, to be;
bear - bore - born - carry, be born;
beat - beat - beaten - beat;
become - became - become - become, become;
befall - befell - befallen - happen;
beget - begot (begat) - begotten - generate;
begin - began - begun - begin;
begird - begirt - begirt - encircle;
behold - beheld - beheld - to mature;
bend - bent - bent - bend (sya);
bereave - bereft (bereaved) - bereft (bereaved) - deprive;
beseech - besought (beseeched) - b-esought (beseeched) - beg, beg;
beset - beset - beset - besiege;
bespeak - bespoke - bespoken - order;
bespit - bespat - bespat - spit;
bestride - bestrode - bestridden - sit down, sit on horseback;
bet - bet (betted) - bet (betted) - bet;
betake - betook - betaken - to be accepted, sent;
bid - bad (bade) - bid (bidden) - command, ask;
bind - bound - bound - bind;
bite - bit - bit (bitten) - bite;
bleed - bled - bled - bleed;
bless - blessed - blessed (blest) - bless;
blow - blew - blown (blowed) - blow;
break - broke - broken - (c) break;
breed - bred - bred - grow;
bring - brought - brought - bring;
broadcast - broadcast - broadcast - distribute, scatter;
browbeat - browbeat - browbeaten - scare;
build - built - built - build;
burn - burnt (burned) - burnt (burned) - burn, burn;
burst - burst - burst - burst, explode;
bust - bust (busted) - bust (busted) - split (someone);
buy - bought - bought - buy.
Verbs starting with:
can - could - could - be able, be able;
catch - caught - caught - catch, catch;
choose - chose - chosen - choose;
cleave - clove (cleft, cleaved) - cloven (cleft, cleaved) - dissect;
cling - clung - clung - cling to, cling to;
come - came - come - 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 - deal;
dig - dug - dug - dig;
dive - dived (dove) - dived - dive, dive;
do - did - done - do;
draw - drew - drawn - draw, drag;
dream - dream (dreamed) - dream (dreamed) - sleep, dream;
drink - drank - drunk - drink,
drive - drove - driven - drive, drive;
dwell - dwelt - dwelt - dwell, linger.
Alphabet continuation (e, g, f, h)
Verbs starting with e:
eat - ate - eaten - eat, eat.
Verbs starting with f:
fall - fell - fallen - fall;
feed - fed - fed - feed;
feel - felt - felt - feel;
fight - fought - fought - fight;
find - found - found - find;
flee - fled - fled - run away, escape;
floodlight - floodlighted (floodlit) - floodlighted (floodlit) - shine with a spotlight;
fly - flew - flown - fly;
forbear - forbore - forborne - refrain;
forbid - forbad (forbade) - forbidden - to forbid;
forecast - forecast (forecasted) - forecast (forecasted) - predict;
foresee - foresaw - foreseen - to foresee;
forget - forgot - forgotten - forget;
forgive - forgave - forgiven - forgive;
forsake - forsook - forsaken - leave;
forswear - forswore - forsworn - renounce;
freeze - froze - frozen - freeze, freeze.
Verbs starting with g:
gainsay - gainsaid - gainsaid - deny, contradict;
get - got - got - get;
gird - girded (girt) - girded (girt) - encircle;
give - gave - given - give;
go - went - gone - go, leave;
grave - graved - graved (graven) - engrave;
grind - ground - ground - sharpen, grind;
grow - grew - grown - grow.
Verbs starting with h:
hang - hung (hanged) - hung (hanged) - hang;
have - had - had - to have;
hear - heard - heard - hear;
hew - hewed - hewed; hewn - chop, hew;
hide - hid - hidden - hide (sya);
hit - hit - hit - hit, hit;
hold - held - held - hold;
hurt - hurt - hurt - deliver pain, offend.
Second part of the alphabet
Verbs starting with i:
inlay - inlaid - inlaid - invest, line;
input - input (inputted) - input (inputted) - enter;
inset - inset - inset - insert, invest;
interweave - interwove - interwoven - weave, cover with a pattern.
Verbs starting with k:
keep - kept - kept - store;
ken - kenned (kent) - kenned - know, 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) - load;
lay - laid - laid - put, put;
lead - led - led - lead;
lean - lean (leaned) - leant (leaned) - lean, lean;
leap - leapt (leaped) - leapt (leaped) - jump;
learn - learned (learned) - learned (learned) - to teach;
leave - left - left - throw;
lend - lent - lent - lend;
let - let - let - let go, give;
lie - lay - lain - lie;
light - lit (lighted) - lit (lighted) - illuminate;
lose - lost - lost - lose.
m verbs:
make - made - made - create;
may - might - might - be able, be able;
mean - meant - meant - have a meaning;
meet - met - met - meet;
miscast - miscast - miscast - it is wrong to distribute roles;
mishear - misheard - misheard - misheard;
mishit - mishit - mishit - to miss;
mislay - mislaid - mislaid - put in another place;
mislead - misled - misled - 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) - cut (lawn).
Verbs starting with r:
rid - rid (ridded) - rid (ridded) - get rid of;
ride - rode - ridden - ride;
ring - rang - rung - call;
rise - rose - risen - rise;
run - ran - run - run, flow.
Verbs starting with s:
saw - sawed - sawn (sawed) - to saw;
say - said - said - to speak, to say;
see - saw - seen - 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 (Xia);
shed - shed - shed - shed;
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 - sink, sink, sink;
sit - sat - sat - sit;
sleep - slept - slept - sleep;
slide - slide - slide - slide;
slit - slit - slit - tear, cut;
smell - smelt (smelled) - smelt (smelled) - smell, smell;
speak - spoken - spoken - conduct a conversation;
speed - sped (speeded) - sped (speeded) - accelerate, hurry;
spell - spelt (spelled) - spell (spelled) - write or read, pronouncing each letter;
spend - spent - spent - spend;
spill - spilt (spilled) - spilt (spilled) - spill;
spin - spun (span) - spun - spin;
spit - spat (spit) - spat (spit) - spit;
split - split - split - split (sya);
spoil - spoilt (spoiled) - spoilt (spoiled) - spoil;
spotlight - spotlit (spotlighted) - spotlit (spotlighted) - illuminate;
spread - spread - spread - spread;
stand - stood - stood - stand;
steal - stole - stolen - steal;
stick - stuck - stuck - prick, glue;
sting - stung - stung - sting;
stink-stank; stunk - stunk - smell unpleasant;
strike - struck - struck - to beat, beat, strike;
swear - swore - sworn - swear, take an oath;
swell - swelled - swollen (swelled) - swell;
swim - swam - swum - swim;
swing - swung - swung - swing.
Verbs starting with t:
take - took - taken - take, take;
teach - taught - taught - learn;
tear - tore - torn - break;
tell - told - told - tell, say;
think - thought - thought - think;
throw - threw - 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 marry;
weep - wept - wept - cry;
wet - wet (wetted) - wet (wetted) - wet, moisturize;
win - won - won - win;
wind - wound - wound - start (mechanism);
write - wrote - written - write.
We hope that after reading the article, English has become a little clearer for you.
English is the language of exceptions, where when studying a new grammatical rule, students are faced with a dozen buts in which this rule does not work. One of these rules is the use of irregular verbs in the past tense. For many English learners, this topic is a nightmare. But without them it is impossible, 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 will consider in the article.
Why are English verbs irregular?
The difficulty in using irregular verbs is experienced not only by foreigners, but also by the speakers themselves. Nevertheless, for English philologists, the non-standard nature 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, the Americans are trying with might and main to get rid of irregular shape, converting it to the correct one. Therefore, the list of non-standard verbs increases for those who learn both variants 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 Past Perfect, 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 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 forms of the verb in English. Regular verbs" will help you better understand this rule.
When forming the forms Participle I and Participle II, there are some features:
- 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 followed by a consonant, then y is changed to i before adding -ed.
Irregular verbs are those that do not obey the general rule when forming temporary forms. In English, these include the simple past tense verb forms (Past Simple) and Participle II (Participle II).
Irregular verbs are formed with:
ablaut, in which the root is changed. Example: swim - swam - swum (swim - swam - swam);
the use of suffixes that are different from those accepted in the grammar of the language. Example: do - did - done (do - did - did);
the same or unchanged form. Example: cut - cut - cut (cut - cut - cut).
Due to the fact that each irregular verb has its own form of change, they should be learned by heart.
In total, there are 218 irregular verbs in English, of which approximately 195 are in active use.
Recent studies in the field of language show that rare verbs are gradually disappearing from the language due to the replacement of the 2nd and 3rd forms with regular verb forms, that is, the addition of the ending - ed. This fact is confirmed by the table "Three forms of the verb in English" - the table represents 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 a translation.
Irregular verbs came into modern English from Old English, which was spoken by the Angles and Saxons - British tribes.
Irregular verbs originated from the so-called strong verbs, each of which had its own type of conjugation.
Harvard researchers found that most of the verbs used are irregular, and they will remain so, as they are used more often than others.
In the history of the English language there is such a phenomenon when the correct verb became irregular. For example, sneak, which has 2 forms - sneaked and snuck.
Not only English learners have problems with verbs, but also native speakers, as even they get into awkward situations when it comes to this difficult part of speech.
One of them is Jennifer Garner, who has been sure all her life that the verb sneak is correct.
She was corrected by the host of one of the programs in which the actress took part. Dictionary in hand, he pointed out to Jennifer her mistake.
Therefore, do 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 commonly 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, finish | |||
shine | |||
rub | |||
grab | |||
to help | |||
happen, happen | |||
manage | |||
look | |||
like | |||
move, move | |||
manage | |||
be necessary, need | |||
open | |||
recall | |||
suggest | sajgest | ||
study, learn | |||
stop, stop | |||
start off | |||
travel | |||
speak | |||
transfer | transitlate | ||
try, try | |||
use | |||
worry | |||
walk, walk | |||
look | |||
work |
Examples of the use of 3 forms of verbs with translation
Above we looked at 3 forms of verbs in English. A table with examples of usage and translation will help reinforce the topic.
Here, for each grammatical construction, two examples are given - one with regular, the other with irregular verbs.
Grammar design | Example in English | Translation |
past simple |
|
|
Present perfect tense |
|
|
Past Perfect Tense |
|
|
Passive Voice |
|
|
Conditional |
|
|
Exercises
For better memorization of irregular verbs, you need not only to learn them by heart and repeat, but also to perform various exercises.
Exercise 1. Before you is a table "Three forms of the verb in English. Irregular verbs." Fill in one of the three missing forms.
Exercise 2. Before you is a table "Three forms of the verb 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. Then they moved to Manchester.
- Alice was a university student in 2014.
- They worked for 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 the exercises
Exercise 1.
Exercise 2.
asked, borrowed, closed, decided, explained, helped, started, travelled, 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 were taken for a walk to this park.
- I drove a toy car in my childhood.
Get in the habit of periodically repeating the basic forms of the English verb. A table with irregular verbs, exercises and periodic repetition will help you quickly cope with the difficulties of the English language.