Three forms of the verb show. Complete list of irregular English verbs

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 British are very attentive to the delimitation of temporal moments, which is associated with 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.

In English grammar there is a general rule for 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 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 to 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 be in 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 go for a 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, purchase
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 to 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 for making various proposals. After several lessons, you won’t even notice how you remember most of the words by heart.

Here you can find a table of irregular English verbs with translation into Russian and transcription, videos on learning and memorizing irregular verbs, links.

There is a special category of verbs in the English language that does not follow generally accepted rules when forming the past participle. They are usually called “wrong”. Unlike “regular” verbs, which are appended with the ending –ed to form the past participle, these verbs either remain unchanged or take unusual forms that are not always easy to remember. For example:

put – put – put;
drive – drove – driven.

If the first verb is easy to learn and use in sentences, then the second one has to be learned directly by memorization.

Where did such difficulties with some verbs come from? Scientists have concluded that these are some kind of “fossils” left in the language from ancient times. During its development, the English language adopted a large number of words from other European languages, but some words remained unchanged. It is this category that irregular verbs belong to.

Table of irregular English verbs:

VERB PAST SIMPLE PAST PARTICIPLE TRANSLATION
abide [əbʌid] abode [əbəud] abode [əbəud] endure, endure
arise [ə"raiz] arose [ə"rəuz] arisen [ə"riz(ə)n] To arise, to happen
awake [ə"weik] awoke [ə"wəuk] awoken [ə"wəukən] Wake up, wake up
be was, were been Be
bear bore borne carry, bear
beat beat beaten ["bi:tn] Beat
become became become Become
begin began begun Start off
hold beheld beheld contemplate, see
bend bent bent Bend
bereave bereft/bereaved Deprive, take away
beseech bethought/beseeched Beg, beg
beset beset beset Surround
bet bet bet argue
bid bid / bade bidden Offer, order
bind bound bound Bind
bite bit bitten bite, peck
bleed bled bled Bleed
blow blew blown Blow
break broke broken ["brouk(e)n] Break
breed bred bred Breed, multiply
bring brought brought Bring
browbeat ["braubi:t] browbeat ["braubi:t] browbeaten ["braubi:tn]/ browbeat ["braubi:t] Intimidate, intimidate
build built built Build
burn burnt burnt burn
burst burst burst Break out
bust busted busted Go bankrupt, go broke
buy bought bought Buy
cast cast cast Throw, throw away
catch caught caught Catch, grab, catch
choose chose [ʃəuz] chosen Choose
cleave cleft cleft Split, cut
cling clung clung cling, hold on
clothe clothed/clad Dress
come came come Come
cost cost cost Cost
creep crept crept Crawl
cut cut cut Cut
deal dealt dealt Deal with
dig dug dug Dig
disprove disproved disproved/disproven Refute
dive dove dived Dive, submerge
do did done Do
draw drew drawn Draw, drag
dream dream dream Dream, doze
drink drank drunk Drink
drive drove driven ["drivn] Drive
dwell dwelt/dwelled reside, inhabit
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
flee fled fled Run away, disappear
fling flung flung Throw, throw
fly flew flown Fly
forbid forbade forbidden Forbid
forgo (forego) forewent foregone refuse, abstain
forecast ["fɔ:ka:st] forecast ["fɔ:ka:st] forecast ["fɔ:ka:st] Forecast
foresee foresaw foreseen Anticipate, predict
foretell foretold foretold Predict, foretell
forget forgot forgotten Forget
forgive forgave forgiven Forgive
forsake forsook forsaken Leave, leave
freeze froze frozen ["frouzn] Freeze
get got got Receive
gild gilt gilt Gild
give gave given Giving
go went gone Go
grind ground ground Grind, grind
grow grew grown Grow
hang hung hung Hang
have had had Have
hear heard heard Hear
hide hid hidden ["hidn] Hide
heave heaved / hove heaved / hove Pull, push
hew hewed hewn/hewed/ chop down, cut down
hit hit hit Hit the target
hide hid hidden Hide, hide
hold held held Hold
hurt hurt hurt Hurt
inlay [ɪnˈleɪ] inlaid [ɪnˈleɪd] inlaid [ɪnˈleɪd] invest (money), inlay
input [ˈɪnpʊt] input [ˈɪnpʊt] input [ˈɪnpʊt] Enter, enter
interweave [ɪntəˈwiːv] interwove [ɪntəˈwəʊv] interwoven [ɪntəˈwəʊv(ə)n] Weave
keep kept kept Contain
kneel knelt knelt Kneel
knit knit knit Knit, darn
know knew known Know
lay laid laid Putting
lead led led News
lean leant leant Tilt
leap leapt leapt Jump, gallop
learn learn learn Learn
leave left left Leave
lend tape tape Occupy
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 To be wrong
mow mowed town Mow, cut
overcome [əʊvəˈkʌm] overcame [əʊvəˈkeɪm] overcome [əʊvəˈkʌm] overcome, overcome
pay paid paid To pay
plead declare / pled Beg, beg
prove proved proven Prove
put put put Put
quit quit quit Go out
read read read Read
relay relayed relayed Transmit, broadcast
rid rid rid To deliver, to liberate
ride rode ridden ["ridn] Ride a horse
ring rank rung Ring
rise rose risen ["rizn] Get up
run ran run Run
saw sawed sawed / sawn Sawing, sawing
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
shave [ʃeɪv] shaved [ʃeɪvd] shaved [ʃeɪvd]/ shaven [ʃeɪvən] Shave, shave
shear [ʃɪə] sheared [ʃɪəd] sheared [ʃɪəd]/ shorn [ʃɔ:n] Cut, cut
shed [ʃed] shed [ʃed] shed [ʃed] Spill, lose
shine [ʃaɪn] shone [ʃoʊn] shone [ʃoʊn] Shine, shine
shit [ʃit] shit [ʃit] shit [ʃit] Shit
shoe [ʃu:] shod [ʃɒd] shod [ʃɒd] Shoe, shoe
shoot [ʃu:t] shot [ʃɒt] shot [ʃɒt] Shoot, take pictures
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
slay slew slain Kill, put to death
sleep slept slept Sleep
slide slide slide Slide
sling slung slung Hang
slink slunk/slinked Slip away
slit slit slit Cut, cut
smell smelt smelt Smell, feel
smite smote smitten [ˈsmɪtn] Hit, hit
sow sowed south Sow
speak spoke spoken ["spouk(e)n] Speak
speed sped sped Hurry, rush
spell spelled spelled To spell
spend spent spent Spend
spill spilt spilt Shed
spin spun spun Twist, twirl
spit spit/spat spit/spat Spit
split split split Divide, break
spoiler spoilt spoilt Spoil
spread spread spread spread out
spring sprang sprung Jump
stand stood stood Stand
steal stole stolen ["stəulən] Steal
stick stuck stuck prick
sting stung stung Sting
stink stank stunk Stink, smell
strew strewed strewn To sprinkle
stride strode stridden Step
strike struck struck/stricken Strike, strike
string strung strung string, hang
strive strive / strive Try, try
swear swore sworn swear, swear
sweat sweat / sweated Sweat
sweep swept swept Sweep
swell swelled 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
thrust [θrʌst] thrust [θrʌst] thrust [θrʌst] Stick it in, stick it in
thread trod trodden Trample, crush
[ʌndəˈɡəʊ] passed [ʌndə"wɛnt] undergone [ʌndə"ɡɒn] experience, endure
understand [ʌndə"stænd] understood [ʌndə"stud] understood [ʌndə"stud] Understand
undertake [ʌndəˈteɪk] undertook [ʌndəˈtʊk] took [ʌndəˈteɪk(ə)n] undertake, commit
undo ["ʌn"du:] undid ["ʌn"dɪd] undone ["ʌn"dʌn] Destroy, cancel
upset [ʌp"set] upset [ʌp"set] upset [ʌp"set] Upset, upset
wake woke up woken ["wouk(e)n] Wake up
wear wore worn Wear
weave wove / weaved wove / weaved Weave, weave
wed wed / wedded ["wɛdɪd] wed / wedded ["wɛdɪd] Marry
weep wept wept Cry
wet wet wet Get wet
win won won Win
wind wound wound Wriggle
withdraw withdrew withdrawn Remove, delete
withhold withheld withheld Hold, hide
withstand withstood withstood Withstand, resist
wring wrung wrung Squeeze, twist
write wrote written ["ritn] Write

Video on learning and memorizing irregular English verbs:

Top 100 irregular verbs in English.

In this video, the author analyzes the most popular irregular verbs in the English language (top 100, compiled by himself). Examples are given for all irregular verbs, voiceovers, etc. The most commonly used irregular verbs come first, then the least used.

Pronunciation of irregular English verbs.

British version of English irregular verbs. The author gives you the opportunity to repeat after him and thus hone the correct pronunciation of irregular verbs.

Learning irregular English verbs using rap.

An interesting video for learning English irregular verbs superimposed on rap.

Examples of using irregular verbs:

1. I could swim when I was five. 1. I knew how to swim when I was five years old.
2.Peter became an entrepreneur by chance. 2. Peter became an entrepreneur by accident.
3. He took another day off. 3. He took another day off.
4. They had two cats and a dog. 4. They had two cats and one dog.
5. We did lots of work yesterday. 5. We did a lot of work yesterday.
6.Jane ate the last piece of cake. 6. Jane ate the last piece of pie.
7. He got another chance to gain her heart. 7. He got another chance to win her heart.
8. I gave my old bycicle to the neighbor's son. 8. I gave my old bicycle to my neighbor's son.
9. We went shopping to the mall two days ago.. 9. We went shopping in the nearest shopping center two days ago.
10. She made a rather delicious pasta. 10. She made quite tasty pasta.
11.Have you bought a new car? 11. Did you buy a new car?
12. We've driven all the way down to her house. 12. We drove all the way to her house.
13. She's grown so much since we last saw her. 13. She has grown so much since we last saw her.
14. Have you ever ridden a trycicle? 14. Have you ever ridden a tricycle?
15. You don't need to repeat twice, as it is understood. 15. You don’t need to repeat it twice, since everything is understood.
16. Their dog has bitten my sister today. 16. Their dog bit my sister today.
17.Have you chosen your future profession? 17. Have you chosen your future profession?
18. We've completely forgotten to call the Smiths. 18. We completely forgot to call the Smiths.
19. I've hidden a folder and now I can"t find it. 19. I hid the folder and now I can’t find it.
20. It was thought to be necessary for him. 20. Everyone thought that this would benefit him.

Anyone who has ever sat down to read 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 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 memorizing, we often notice that a large number of words are quickly forgotten, and some completely 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. Typically, all irregular verbs tables include a translation column, so you don't have to worry about spending hours working with the dictionary on your own. 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

The games can be played not only by children, but also by adults. And when it comes to learning a 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, 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 to 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 - to be 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.

If you've gotten to the point of learning verbs, you've already gone through a lot. But there is still a long road to perfection ahead. 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 times, 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 begin? 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 sentences Past 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. It is used by the group tenses Continuous 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.

  1. By changing the vowel in the root of the word: meet - met - met; begin - began - begun.
  2. Changing the root and adding a suffix: speak - spoke - spoken; give - gave - given.
  3. The ending changes: send - sent - sent; build - built - built.
  4. 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. The entire 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 strike
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, hit
stand stood stand
understand understood understand
deal dealt deal with
mean meant to mean
sell sold sell
tell told speak
lay laid put
pay paid to 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 to 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 spark off
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 to 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.

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 the irregular shape, converting 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 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 evolved from 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.

Not only English learners have problems with verbs, but also native speakers, as even they find themselves in 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

to help

happen, happen

manage

look

like

move, move

manage

to be necessary, to need

open

recall

suggest

sadgesture

study, study

stop, stop

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 EnglishTranslation
Past Simple
  1. Peter worked yesterday.
  2. She felt bad last week.
  1. Peter worked yesterday.
  2. She didn't feel well last week.
Present Perfect Tense
  1. James has already helped me.
  2. Have you ever been to Thailand?
  1. James has already helped me.
  2. Have you ever been to Thailand?
Past Perfect Tense
  1. I understood that I had used my last ticket.
  2. Helen noticed that she had forgotten her documents at home.
  1. I realized that I had used the last ticket.
  2. She realized that she had forgotten the documents at home.
Passive Voice
  1. Amy was taken to the zoo last Sunday.
  2. A baby is sung a lullaby every night.
  1. Amy was taken to the zoo last Sunday.
  2. The baby is sung a lullaby every night.
Conditional
  1. If I had money, I would buy a car.
  2. If she could help us, she would have done it.
  1. If I had money, I would buy a car.
  2. If she could help us, she would.

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.

  1. I was reading a book.
  2. We saw them yesterday.
  3. The Smiths lived in London until 2000. They then moved to Manchester.
  4. Alice was a university student in 2014.
  5. They worked in the same company two years ago.
  6. He just finished training.
  7. When we were children, my mother often took us to this park.
  8. 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.

  1. I read a book.
  2. We saw them yesterday.
  3. The Smiths lived in London till 2000. Then they moved to Manchester.
  4. Alice was a student of Univercity in 2014.
  5. They worked in the same company two years ago.
  6. He has just finished training.
  7. When we were children we took for a walk to this park.
  8. 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.