English, like many languages, contains a mix of regular and irregular verbs. Regular verbs follow a consistent pattern when conjugated into different tenses. Irregular verbs, however, deviate from these patterns, often requiring special memorization and practice.
Englishof Pocket
Irregular
verbs
Infinitive | Past Simple | Past Participe |
---|---|---|
arise | arose | arisen |
awake | awoke | awoken |
be | was were | been |
bear | bore | borne |
beat | beat | beaten |
become | became | become |
begin | began | begun |
bend | bent | bent |
bet | bet | bet |
bid | bid | bid |
bind | bound | bound |
bite | bit | bitten |
bleed | bled | bled |
blow | blew | blown |
break | broke | broken |
breed | bred | bred |
bring | brought | brought |
broadcast | broadcast | broadcast |
build | built | built |
burn | burned burnt | burned burnt |
burst | burst | burst |
buy | bought | bought |
cast | cast | cast |
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 | dreamed dreamt | dreamed dreamt |
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 |
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/has | had | had |
hear | heard | heard |
hide | hid | hidden |
hit | hit | hit |
hold | held | held |
hurt | hurt | hurt |
keep | kept | kept |
kneel | knelt | knelt |
know | knew | known |
lay | laid | laid |
lead | led | led |
lean | leaned leant | leaned leant |
leap | leaped leapt | leaped leapt |
learn | learned learnt | learned learnt |
leave | left | left |
lend | lent | lent |
let | let | let |
lie | lay | lain |
light | lit | lit |
lose | lost | lost |
make | made | made |
mean | meant | meant |
make | met | met |
mow | mowed | mowed mown |
pay | paid | paid |
plead | pleaded pled | pleaded pled |
prove | proved | proved proven |
read | read | read |
win | won | won |
wear | wore | worn |
understand | understood | understood |
throw | threw | thrown |
think | thought | thought |
tell | told | told |
teach | taught | taught |
take | took | taken |
take | took | taken |
spend | spent | spent |
speak | spoke | spoken |
sleep | slept | slept |
sit | sat | sat |
swim | swam | swum |
show | showed | shown |
set | set | set |
send | sent | sent |
sell | sold | sold |
see | saw | seen |
run | ran | run |
ring | rang | rung |
put | put | put |
pay | paid | paid |
Learn more about Irregular verbs

Understanding Irregular Verbs in English
Irregular verbs are a fundamental aspect of the English language, presenting unique challenges to learners and native speakers alike. Unlike regular verbs, which follow consistent and predictable patterns in their conjugation, irregular verbs deviate from these norms. This article explores the nature of irregular verbs, their significance, and provides insights into mastering them.
What Are Irregular Verbs?
Irregular verbs do not conform to the standard rules of conjugation. In English, regular verbs typically form their past simple and past participle forms by adding -ed to the base form (e.g., "talk" becomes "talked" and "talked"). In contrast, irregular verbs follow varied and often unpredictable patterns. For example, the verb "go" has the past simple form "went" and the past participle form "gone," which do not adhere to the regular pattern.
Importance of Irregular Verbs
- Frequency of Use: Many of the most commonly used verbs in English are irregular. Verbs like "be," "have," "do," and "say" are essential for everyday communication and are all irregular.
- Historical Linguistic Roots:Irregular verbs often have deep historical roots. Their forms have been preserved over time, reflecting the language's evolution and the influence of other languages.
- Expressive Richness:Irregular verbs add to the expressive richness of English. They often provide nuanced meanings that are not always captured by regular verbs.
Common Patterns in Irregular Verbs
While irregular verbs are characterized by their lack of conformity, some patterns can help learners recognize and remember them:
- Identical Base, Past Simple, and Past Participle Forms:Some verbs maintain the same form across different tenses. Examples include "put" (put, put, put) and "cut" (cut, cut, cut).
- Vowel Changes: Many irregular verbs exhibit vowel changes in their conjugation. For instance, "sing" changes to "sang" (past simple) and "sung" (past participle).
- Different Past Simple and Past Participle Forms:Different Past Simple and Past Participle Forms:
Strategies for Mastering Irregular Verbs
- Memorization:Since there are no consistent rules for conjugating irregular verbs, memorization is often necessary. Flashcards, lists, and regular practice can aid in this process.
- Contextual Learning:Learning irregular verbs in context helps with retention. Reading, listening, and engaging in conversations can reinforce understanding and correct usage.
- Grouping by Patterns:Grouping irregular verbs by their conjugation patterns can make them easier to learn. For example, grouping verbs that follow the same vowel change pattern (e.g., "sing," "ring," "swim") can be helpful.
- Regular Review:Regularly reviewing and practicing irregular verbs is crucial. Repetition helps solidify their forms in memory.
Conclusion
Irregular verbs are an integral part of the English language, contributing to its complexity and richness. Mastering them requires dedication and practice, but understanding their patterns and significance can make the learning process more manageable. By regularly engaging with these verbs in context, learners can improve their fluency and confidence in using English.