Irregular Verbs in English Grammar

Last updated on August 8, 2024 by Grammargeek

Irregular verbs play a crucial role in English grammar. These verbs do not follow the usual rules for forming past tenses. Instead, each irregular verb has its own unique form. Understanding these can help you construct grammatically correct sentences.

This reference covers everything about irregular verbs, including their base forms, simple past, and past participles. You’ll find lists, formation rules, examples, and tips for learning and memorizing them.

What Are Irregular Verbs?

List of Irregular Verbs
List of Irregular Verbs – Created by 7ESL

Base Form

Irregular verbs in English are unique because they do not follow the standard pattern of regular verbs. Unlike regular verbs, which consistently end in “-ed” for both the simple past and past participle forms, irregular verbs take on various forms.

Some common irregular verbs include:

  • Be
  • Eat
  • Get
  • Know
  • Wear

These verbs diverge from the regular verb pattern in their base form and have unique conjugations.

Simple Past

The simple past tense of irregular verbs varies from one verb to another. To convey actions or states in the past, learning each individual irregular verb form is crucial. Some examples of irregular verbs in their simple past tense are:

  • Be -> was/were
  • Eat -> ate
  • Get -> got
  • Know -> knew
  • Wear -> wore

Memorizing these forms is essential for proper communication in past tense, as they do not follow the “-ed” pattern found in regular verbs.

Past Participle

Similarly, the past participle of irregular verbs also deviates from the regular verb pattern. The past participle form is commonly used in perfect tenses, passive voice, and as adjectives. Here are the irregular verbs mentioned earlier in their past participle form:

  • Be -> been
  • Eat -> eaten
  • Get -> gotten
  • Know -> known
  • Wear -> worn

As the past participle forms of irregular verbs differ significantly from regular verbs ending in “-ed,” it is important to learn and practice these variations to maintain clear and effective communication in English.

Irregular Verbs List

Irregular verbs in English don’t follow the usual -ed ending found in regular verbs. Instead, they change their form completely. This list helps you recognize and remember them better.

Common irregular verbs include:

  • Be (was/were, been)
  • Do (did, done)
  • Find (found, found)
  • Go (went, gone)
  • Have (had, had)

Here’s a more detailed list:

Base Form Past Simple Past Participle
arise arose arisen
awake awoke awoken
be was/were been
bear bore borne/born
beat beat beaten
become became become
begin began begun
bend bent bent
bet bet bet
bite bit bitten
bleed bled bled
blow blew blown
break broke broken
bring brought brought
build built built
burn burnt/burned burnt/burned
burst burst burst
buy bought bought
catch caught caught
choose chose chosen
cling clung clung
come came come
cost cost cost
creep crept crept
cut cut cut
deal dealt dealt
dig dug dug
do did done
draw drew drawn
dream dreamt/dreamed dreamt/dreamed
drink drank drunk
drive drove driven
eat ate eaten
fall fell fallen
feed fed fed
feel felt felt
fight fought fought
find found found
flee fled fled
fling flung flung
fly flew flown
forbid forbade forbidden
forget forgot forgotten
forgive forgave forgiven
freeze froze frozen
get got got/gotten
give gave given
go went gone
grow grew grown
hang hung hung
have had had
hear heard heard
hide hid hidden
hit hit hit
hold held held
hurt hurt hurt
keep kept kept
kneel knelt/kneeled knelt/kneeled
know knew known
lay laid laid
lead led led
lean leant/leaned leant/leaned
leap leapt/leaped leapt/leaped
learn learnt/learned learnt/learned
leave left left
lend lent lent
let let let
lie lay lain
light lit/lighted lit/lighted
lose lost lost
make made made
mean meant meant
meet met met
pay paid paid
put put put
quit quit quit
read read read
ride rode ridden
ring rang rung
rise rose risen
run ran run
say said said
see saw seen
seek sought sought
sell sold sold
send sent sent
set set set
shake shook shaken
shine shone shone
shoot shot shot
show showed shown
shrink shrank shrunk
shut shut shut
sing sang sung
sink sank sunk
sit sat sat
sleep slept slept
slide slid slid
speak spoke spoken
spend spent spent
spin spun spun
spit spat spat
split split split
spread spread spread
stand stood stood
steal stole stolen
stick stuck stuck
sting stung stung
stink stank stunk
strike struck struck/stricken
swear swore sworn
sweep swept swept
swim swam swum
swing swung swung
take took taken
teach taught taught
tear tore torn
tell told told
think thought thought
throw threw thrown
understand understood understood
wake woke woken
wear wore worn

Using this list, you can identify common patterns and exceptions. This will improve your writing and speaking skills. Keep practicing and referring to the list as needed.

Irregular Verbs: Formation Rules and Patterns

Irregular verbs in English do not follow a typical pattern. Regular verbs form their simple past and past participle by adding “-ed” or just “-d” to the base form. Irregular verbs, on the other hand, have unique tense forms and past participles.

Grouping irregular verbs by similarities in their past simple forms helps in learning. For example, the verbs ‘buy’, ‘bring’, and ‘think’ all have the “-ought” ending in their past simple forms: ‘bought’, ‘brought’, and ‘thought’. Identifying such patterns makes it easier to memorize and recall these forms.

Some irregular verbs have identical base and past participle forms, such as ‘run’, ‘come’, ‘become’, and ‘overcome’. These should be noted separately to avoid errors when forming the past tense and past participle forms.

While there are no strict rules for irregular verbs, understanding and recognizing common patterns can help. Some examples include:

Pattern: (Verb / Past Simple / Past Participle)

Ablaut (vowel change)

  • sing / sang / sung
  • know / knew / known

Endings (e.g., “-ought”)

  • buy / bought / bought
  • catch / caught / caught

Irregular endings without change

  • hit / hit / hit
  • let / let / let

These patterns are not universal and may not apply to all irregular verbs. However, they offer a starting point for understanding and learning these verbs more efficiently. Practice and memory are crucial for using new irregular verbs accurately in conversation and writing.

Examples of Common Irregular Verbs

Be:

  • I am a student.
  • She was a teacher.
  • They have been friends for years.

Have:

  • I have a car.
  • She had a headache yesterday.
  • They have had a lot of success.

Go:

  • I go to the gym every day.
  • She went to Paris last year.
  • They have gone to the beach.

Do:

  • I do my homework every day.
  • She did not like the movie.
  • They have done a great job.

Eat:

  • I eat breakfast every morning.
  • She ate sushi for lunch.
  • They have eaten at that restaurant before.

Drink:

  • I drink coffee every morning.
  • She drank a glass of water.
  • They have drunk a lot of beer.

Come:

  • I come from Canada.
  • She came to the party late.
  • They have come a long way.

Run:

  • I run five miles every day.
  • She ran a marathon last year.
  • They have run out of time.

Write:

  • I write in my journal every day.
  • She wrote a book last year.
  • They have written many reports.

Break:

  • I break things easily.
  • She broke her arm.
  • They have broken a few rules.

Take:

  • I take the train to work.
  • She took a vacation last month.
  • They have taken many photos.

Speak:

  • I speak English fluently.
  • She spoke to the manager.
  • They have spoken on the phone.

Swim:

  • I swim in the pool every day.
  • She swam across the lake.
  • They have swum in the ocean.

See:

  • I see my friends every weekend.
  • She saw a movie last night.
  • They have seen that show before.

Give:

  • I give to charity every year.
  • She gave me a present.
  • They have given a lot of support.

Tips for Learning and Memorizing

1. Group common irregular verbs together

Some irregular verbs share similar patterns. Grouping these verbs can make memorization easier.

2. Prioritize the most common irregular verbs

Start with the 10 most common irregular verbs and gradually add more to your list.

3. Use flashcards

Create flashcards with the infinitive, past tense, and past participle forms of each verb. Flashcards help in reviewing and quizzing yourself.

4. Incorporate learning into everyday activities

Turn memorizing into a game or use irregular verbs in songs and rhythms. This makes learning fun and more likely to stick.

5. Learn in sentences

Use irregular verbs in various sentences and contexts to understand their meaning and usage better.

6. Display lists in visible locations

Place lists of irregular verbs on your desk, fridge, or bathroom mirror.

7. Seek feedback from others

Practice using irregular verbs with others and ask them for corrections to improve your understanding and confidence.

Irregular Verbs List Video

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