The main difficulty with English verbs is that in English there is no rule by which their past form is formed. And worse, there is no logic in her education.
To use these verbs in the past tense, you need to memorize them. Moreover, many irregular verbs have two different forms of the past tense. To do this, you will need constant practice, which you can get in Easy Speak English courses for adults.
Since when using irregular verbs you will come across the concepts of “verb forms” more than once, in the article we will look at what they are.
What are English verb forms?
A verb is an action that someone/something does. For example: lie down, run, jump, swim.
All English verbs are divided into regular and irregular. To know whether a verb is correct or incorrect is necessary in order to use it in the past tense.
In Russian, we add "l" at the end to put the verb in the past tense.
Present tense: reading, writing, walking, swimming.
Past tense: read, wrote, walked, swam.
In English, some verbs are formed according to the rules, while others are not. I think you have already guessed that this is the difference between regular and irregular verbs.
Regular verbs in English (regular verbs)- these are those verbs, the past form of which is formed according to the rules, by adding the ending -ed.
for example
work - worked,
work - worked.
Irregular verbs in English (irregular verbs)- these are verbs, the past form of which is formed not according to the rules. At the same time, there is no logic in her education.
for example
buy - bought,
buy - bought.
One of the main difficulties for learners is that there is no rule by which to determine whether a verb is regular or irregular. You can find this out only by looking it up in a dictionary or by memorizing it.
The verb form is how the verb changes depending on the time of use.
Both regular and irregular verbs have 3 forms.
English verb forms
All verbs have 3 forms.
First form verb is the verb itself in the present tense, in the initial form.
for example
(to) work - work,
(to) do - do,
(to) buy - buy.
Second form verb is a verb in the past tense (this form is used in all simple past tenses).
worked - worked,
did - did
bought - bought.
Third form of the verb- this is a verb in the past tense, which also carries the signs of an object (this form is used in the tenses of the Perfect group).
worked - worked,
done - made,
bought - bought.
Note: of course, when using the 3rd form in our speech, we do not translate it so literally, but translate it in the usual past tense.
for example
I have done my homework.
I did my homework (literally: I did my homework).
How are English verb forms formed?
For regular verbs, both forms of the past tense are formed according to the same rule, so attention is usually not focused on them.
To form the 2nd and 3rd form, we add the ending -ed to the verb.
Work - worked - worked.
For irregular verbs, the 2nd and 3rd forms can:
- match with each other.
Have-had-had,
have - had.
- differ.
Do-did-done,
do - done.
This is precisely the whole complexity of irregular verbs. To use all 3 forms correctly, you need to memorize them.
Let's take another look at the table of formation of 3 forms of verbs.
Table of verb forms in English.
Verb | 1 form | 2nd form education | 3rd form education |
Right | We add the ending -ed to the verb. | ||
Wrong | The initial form is a verb without changes. | We use the 2nd form of the verb. | We use the 3rd form of the verb. |
In the article, we examined the most popular ways to memorize irregular verbs and chose the most effective one.
For the successful learning of a foreign language, it is necessary to lay a certain foundation, consisting of basic skills. In addition to vocabulary and developed pronunciation, this foundation also includes grammatical knowledge. Undoubtedly, for English grammar, the system of tenses and verb forms is of the utmost importance, without knowing which not a single sentence can be built. Today, studying the topic, we will combine the collection of vocabulary with the development of grammar, as we will analyze one of the most necessary basic concepts - irregular verbs of the English language. Let's consider the essence of the phenomenon, and also give a list of all the necessary words with transcription and translation into Russian.
In order to answer the question posed in the title, let's make a short digression into the theory.
English verbs have several basic forms that help form tense aspects:
- Infinitive - it is the initial, dictionary form. ().
- past indefinite - a form for expressing past events. The rule is formed by adding the ending -ed to the infinitive. ().
- Past participle - the form necessary for the formation of perfect tenses and passive voices. According to grammatical norms, it should coincide with the previous category, i.e. also append -ed. ().
- Present participle - it is not always distinguished as a separate form, but it should be noted that these are verbs with the ending -ing, which are used in the tenses of the continuous group. ()
Today we are interested in the second and third items of the list, since they are responsible for the correctness or irregularity of the verb. We have already noted that the general rule for the formation of past forms is the addition of the ending -ed. But, due to historical reasons, established language clichés do not always correspond to the norms, and it is much easier to accept exceptions than to try to change the established way. That is why there is such a thing as irregular verbs of the English language. English grammar calls this phenomenon irregular verbs.
Irregular verbs include those verbs in which the form of the past tense is not formed according to the general rule, that is, they are characterized by atypical conjugation. Such verb forms have to be learned by heart, as they are individual for each case. It is noteworthy that the proportion of irregular English verbs used in speech is about 70%. This means that only 30% of all frequently used verbs obey the general rule.
On this, we will complete the theory and move on to the practical part, in which we will consider examples of irregular English verbs with translation and transcription. This will allow you to combine learning vocabulary and work with pronunciation.
Learn irregular English verbs
You probably can't wait to find out how many irregular verbs in English you will have to memorize? We are in a hurry to surprise you, because you probably did not expect to see such a number: over 450 representatives of the wrong type of formation of past forms are distinguished. But do not worry, we will not learn the complete list of irregular verbs, since more than half of the words in it have long been out of use in the modern language. There are about two hundred actively used words left, which we will break into even smaller groups in order to master the material gradually.
First 50 words for beginners
It will be enough for beginners to learn the language to get acquainted with a very small list of the most common verbs. This minimum will be enough for you to work with simple sentences in English. In order not to be distracted by other rules during training, next to the example we will indicate how the word is read in English, and also approximately explain which Russian sounds correspond to English letters. Russian transcription will be presented only in this section, as further study assumes a higher level of knowledge of a foreign language.
Top 50 Irregular Verbs | |||
Forms* | Transcriptions | Russian pronunciation | Translation |
be-was/were-been | [bi - woz / yer - bin] | be | |
begin - began - begun | [bigin - bigen - bigan] | start off | |
break-broke-broken | [break-brooke-broken] | break | |
bring - brought - brought | [bring - broot - broot] | bring | |
build-built-built | [build-bilt-bilt] | build | |
buy-bought-bought | [by - boot - boot] | buy | |
catch - caught - caught | [catch - koot - koot] | catch | |
come-came-come | [kam-keim-kam] | to come | |
cut-cut-cut | [kat - kat - kat] | cut | |
do-did-done | [duu - did - dan] | make | |
drink - drank - drunk | [drink - drink - drink] | drink | |
drive - driven - driven | [drive-drove-driven] | drive | |
eat - ate - eaten | [iit - et - iitn] | eat | |
fall-fell-fallen | [fool - fel - foolen] | fall | |
feel-felt-felt | [fiil - felt - felt] | feel | |
find-found-found | [find - found - found] | to find | |
fly - flew - flown | [fly - flu - flow] | fly | |
forget-forgot-forgotten | [fogEt - fogOt - fogOtn] | forget | |
get-got-got | [get - goth - goth] | receive | |
give - gave - given | [give - gave - given] | give | |
go - went - gone | [go - vant - gon] | go | |
have-had-had | [hav - head - head] | have | |
hear - heard - heard | [heer - hyerd - hyerd] | hear | |
hold - held - held | [hold-hold-hold] | Keep | |
keep - kept - kept | [kip - capt - capt] | hold | |
know - knew - known | [no - new - noon] | know | |
leave-left-left | [liiv - left - left] | leave | |
let-let-let | [let - let - let] | let | |
lie-lay-lain | [lay - lay - lane] | lie | |
lose - lost - lost | [luuz - lost - lost] | lose | |
make - made - made | [make - maid - maid] | make | |
mean - meant - meant | [miin - mant - mant] | to mean | |
meet-met-met | [miit - mat - mat] | meet | |
pay-paid-paid | [pay - pay - pay] | to pay | |
put - put - put | [put - put - put] | put | |
read-read-read | [read - red - red] | read | |
run-ran-run | [run-ren-run] | run | |
say - said - said | [sey - sed - sed] | speak | |
see-saw-seen | [si - sow - siin] | see | |
show - showed - shown | [ʃou–ʃoud–ʃoun] | [show - shoud - shoun] | show |
sit-sat-sat | [sit - set - set] | sit | |
sleep - slept - slept | [slip - slap - slap] | sleep | |
speak - spoken - spoken | [speek-spoke-spoke] | speak | |
stand - stood - stood | [stand - stud - stud] | stand | |
take - took - taken | [take-tuk-teiken] | take | |
tell-told-told | [tel-tould-tould] | tell | |
think-thought-thought | [θɪŋk – θɔ:t – θɔ:t] | [son - sout - sout] | think |
understand - understood - understood | [ʌndər ‘stænd – ʌndər ‘stʊd – ʌndər ‘stʊd] | [andestand - andestud - andestud] | understand |
win - won - won | [win - one - one] | win | |
write - wrote - written | [right - route - ritn] | write |
Other English topics: What is the difference between the verbs make and do - use cases, phrases and turns
*The column contains the three main forms of the verb in the following order:
- infinitive (Infinitive);
- past indefinite (Past Indefinite/Simple);
- past participle (Participle II).
Now you are familiar with the most commonly used irregular verbs in English. This list of words can be easily printed and memorized at any convenient time. Enlarge your knowledge gradually, do not immediately load yourself with large amounts of information. Since the table contains many main verbs, there will be no difficulties in learning the words, because they are used in practice in every second text or dialogue.
Top 100 - Intermediate Vocabulary
If you are already confident in using the learned verbs, then it is time to move on to the next level of knowledge and discover new irregular English verbs.
In this section, we will continue to study the most common irregular verbs, with which another table will help us. It contains the same number of words arranged alphabetically as the first one, but we will no longer give an approximate Russian sound in it: English transcription will help you understand how the word is pronounced. We hope you have already studied the material on how transcription marks are used. So, let's continue the work: we will study just 50 more words and get the top 100 irregular verbs.
Forms | Transcriptions | Translation |
arise - arose - arisen | [ə'raiz - ə'rəuz - ə'riz(ə)n] | arise, rise |
awake - awoke - awoken | [ə`waɪk – ə`woʊk – ə`woʊkn] | wake up, wake up |
bear - bore - born | bear, endure, give birth | |
become - became - become | become | |
bind-bound-bound | bind | |
bite-bit-bitten | bite, bite | |
blow - blew - blown | blow | |
burn-burnt-burnt | burn, burn | |
choose - chose - chosen | choose | |
cost - cost - cost | cost | |
creep - crept - crept | crawl, crawl | |
deal-dealt-dealt | deal, trade | |
dig-dag-dag | dig, dig | |
draw - drew - drown | draw | |
dream - dream - dream | dream, dream | |
fight - fought - fought | fight, fight, fight | |
feed-fed-fed | feed | |
forgive-forgave-forgiven | forgive, forgive | |
freeze-froze-frozen | freeze, freeze | |
grow-grown-grown | grow, grow | |
hang-hung-hung * | hang, hang | |
hide-hid-hidden | hide, hide, hide | |
hurt - hurt - hurt | hurt, hurt, harm | |
lead-led-led | lead, lead | |
learn - learned - learned | study, teach | |
lend - lent - lent | lend, lend | |
ride - rode - ridden | ride | |
ring-rang-rung | call, call | |
rise-rose-risen | rise, ascend | |
seek - sought - sought | search | |
sell-sold-sold | sell | |
set-set-set | put, install | |
shake-shake-shaken | [ʃeɪk - ʃʊk - ʃeɪkən] | shake, shake |
shine-shone-shone | [ʃaɪn–ʃoʊn–ʃoʊn] | to shine, shine, shine |
shut-shut-shut | [ʃʌt-ʃʌt-ʃʌt] | close |
sing-sang-sung | sing | |
slide - slide - slide | slide | |
smell-smelt-smelt | smell, sniff | |
spend-spelt-spelt | spend, waste | |
steal-stole-stolen | steal, steal | |
swim - swam - swum | to swim | |
swing-swung-swung | sway | |
teach - taught - taught | teach, educate | |
tear - tore - torn | tear, tear, tear | |
throw-thrown-thrown | [θroʊ – θru: – θroʊn] | toss, toss, toss |
upset - upset - upset | [ʌp'set - ʌp'set - ʌp'set] | upset, upset; overturn |
wake-woke-woken | wake up, wake up | |
wear - wore - worn | wear, dress | |
weep–wept–wept | cry, sob | |
wet-wet-wet | soak, moisten, moisten |
*Important note for translators: this verb has two meanings. The forms given in the table indicate expressions used with translation "hang, hang things." A rarer context is hanging as an execution, hanging a criminal. In such a situation, this English verb behaves like a regular one, i.e. appends the ending -ed: hang - hanged - hanged.
So, we have considered all the main and popular irregular verbs of the English language, with which we congratulate you! Do not strive to master the entire stock of new words at once, as you will only become more confused in forms and meanings. For effective and quick memorization, we suggest printing out the given material, dividing the verbs into groups for easy perception, and compiling cards with the spelling of the English word and the Russian translation. This method successfully helps to learn the declension of irregular verbs for most students.
If you have already mastered the most common English verbs with transcription, we invite you to expand your horizons even more and look into the less popular but common use of incorrect words in speech.
Rare but necessary verbs
The list of irregular English verbs we have studied already has a hundred examples. This, as we have already noted, is approximately half of the active vocabulary of a modern Englishman on the topic of irregular verbs. Using the next 100 words is definitely not something you need to come across every day. But, firstly, they are often included in standard tests and tasks to confirm the level of language proficiency, and secondly, it is better to know rare grammatical moments of the language than to misunderstand something and get into an awkward situation. So, let's study rare, but necessary, irregular verbs in English with translation and transcription.
Forms | Transcriptions | Translation |
abide - abode / abide - abode / abide | [əˈbaɪd – əˈbəʊd/əˈbaɪdɪd – əˈbəʊd/əˈbaɪdɪd] | endure, endure, endure; stay |
backbite - backbitten - backbitten | [ˈbækbaɪt – ˈbækbɪtən – ˈbækbɪtən] | slander |
backslide - backslide - backslide | [ˈbækslaɪd - bækˈslɪd - bækˈslɪd] | retreat, refuse |
beat-beat-beaten | beat | |
befall-befell-befallen | happen, happen | |
beget-begot/begat-begotten | generate, produce | |
begird-begirt-begirt | gird | |
behold - beheld - beheld | behold | |
bend-bent-bent | bend | |
bereave-bereft/bereaved-bereft/bereaved | deprive, take away | |
beseech-besought-besought | to pray, beg | |
beset - beset - beset | besiege, surround | |
bespeak - bespoke - bespoken | order, order | |
bespit - bespat - bespat | spit | |
bet-bet-bet | [ˈbet – ˈbet – ˈbet] | bet, bet |
betake - betook - betaken | to take, to take, to go | |
bid-bid/bade-bidden | command, ask, set a price | |
bleed-bled-bled | bleed | |
breed - bred - bred | propagate, grow, procreate | |
broadcast-broadcast-broadcast | [ˈbrɔːdkɑːst – ˈbrɔːdkɑːst – ˈbrɔːdkɑːst] | broadcast (television/radio broadcasting) |
browbeat - browbeat - browbeaten | [ˈbraʊbiːt – ˈbraʊbiːt – ˈbraʊbiːtən] | intimidate, intimidate |
burst - burst - burst | burst, burst, burst | |
bust-bust/busted-bust/busted | demolish, destroy, go bankrupt, ruin | |
cast-cast-cast | throw, pour metal | |
chide-chid-chid | scold | |
cleave-cleft-cleft | split, cut | |
clung - clung - clung | to cling to, to cling to | |
dwell - dwelt - dwelt | dwell, dwell, linger | |
flee-fled-fled | run away, save | |
fling - flung - flung | rush | |
forbear-forbore-forborne | refrain | |
forbid-forbad-forbidden | ban | |
forecast-forecast-forecast | [ˈfɔːkɑːst – ˈfɔːkɑːst – ˈfɔːkɑːst] | predict, predict |
foresee-foresaw-foreseen | anticipate | |
forsake-forsook-forsaken | leave, leave | |
forswear-forswore-forsworn | abdicate | |
gainsay - gainsaid - gainsaid | [ˌɡeɪnˈseɪ – ˌɡeɪnˈsed – ˌɡeɪnˈsed] | deny, contradict |
gild - gilt/gilded - gilt/gilded | [ɡɪld - ɡɪlt / ˈɡɪldɪd - ɡɪlt / ˈɡɪldɪd] | gild, gild |
grind-ground-ground | [ɡraɪnd – ɡraʊnd – ɡraʊnd] | crush, rub, grind |
heave-heaved/hove-heaved/hove | pull, lift, move | |
hew - hewed - hewn | cut down, cut | |
hit-hit-hit | hit, strike, hit | |
inlay-inlaid-inlaid | [ɪnˈleɪ – ɪnˈleɪd – ɪnˈleɪd] | invest, insert |
input-input-input | [ˈɪnpʊt – ˈɪnpʊt – ˈɪnpʊt] | enter data |
interweave – interwove – interwoven | [ˌɪntəˈwiːv – ˌɪntəˈwəʊv – ˌɪntəˈwəʊvən] | to intertwine, to entwine |
kneel-knelt-knelt | kneel | |
knit - knit - knit | to knit | |
lade-laded-laden/laded | load, upload | |
lean - lean - lean | lean, lean, lean | |
leap-leapt-leapt | jump, jump | |
light - lit - lit | illuminate | |
misdeal - misdealt - misdealt | [ˌmɪsˈdiːl – ˌmɪsˈdelt – ˌmɪsˈdelt] | do/do wrong |
misgive-misgave-misgiven | [ˌmɪsˈɡɪv – ˌmɪsˈɡeɪv – ˌmɪsˈɡɪvən] | inspire fear |
mow-mowed-mown | mow, reap (cereals) | |
outbid - outbid - outbid | surpass, outbid | |
plead-plead-plead | go to court | |
prove - proved - proved / proven | prove, confirm | |
quit - quit - quit | throw, leave | |
rebind-rebound-rebound | [ˌriːˈbaɪnd – rɪˈbaʊnd – rɪˈbaʊnd] | rebind, rebind |
rend-rent-rent | tear apart, tear apart | |
rid - rid - rid | release, release | |
sew – sewed – sewn/sewed | sew | |
shear - sheared - shorn | [ʃɪə - ʃɪəd - ʃɔːn] | cut, cut |
shed - shed - shed | [ʃed–ʃed–ʃed] | shed, lose |
shoe - shod - shod | [ʃuː - ʃɒd - ʃɒd] | shoe, shoe |
shoot-shot-shot | [ʃuːt – ʃɒt – ʃɒt] | shoot, run |
shred - shred - shred | [ʃred - ʃred - ʃred] | crush, shred, crumble |
shrink-shrank-shrunk | [ʃrɪŋk–ʃræŋk–ʃrʌŋk] | shrink, shrink |
shrive-shrove/shrived-shriven/shrived | [ʃraɪv – ʃrəʊv/ʃraɪvd – ˈʃrɪvən/ʃraɪvd] | confess, forgive sins |
slay-slew-slain | kill | |
sling - slung - slung | to hang, toss | |
slink-slunk-slunk | sneak, sneak | |
slit - slit - slit | cut along | |
smite-smote-smitten | hit, beat, fight | |
sow-sowed-sown | sow | |
speed-sped-sped | drive, run | |
spill-spilt-spilt | shed | |
spin-spun/span-spun | twist, turn, spin | |
spit-spat/spit-spat/spit | spit | |
split-split-split | split | |
spoil-spoilt-spoilt | spoil | |
spread-spread-spread | distribute | |
spring–sprang–sprung | jump, jump | |
stick-stuck-stuck | glue | |
sting - stung - stung | sting | |
strew-strewed-strewn | sow, sprinkle | |
stride-strode-stridden | step | |
strike - struck - struck | hit, strike | |
strive-strove-striven | try, fight | |
swear - swore - sworn | to swear | |
sweep-swept-swept | sweep | |
swell-swelled-swollen | swell | |
thrust-thrust-thrust | [θrʌst–θrʌst–θrʌst] | push, poke |
tread-trod-trod/trodden | step | |
waylay - waylayd - waylayd | [ˌweɪˈleɪ – ˌweɪˈleɪd – ˌweɪˈleɪd] | lie in wait |
weave – wove/ weaved – woven/ weaved | weave | |
wed-wed-wed | marry | |
wind-wound-wound | wind up (mechanism) | |
work - worked (wrought) * – worked (wrought) | [ˈwɜːk – wɜːkt/ ˈrɔːt – wɜːkt/ ˈrɔːt] | work |
wring-wrung-wrung | squeeze, twist, squeeze |
Other English topics: Phrasal verb give: variety of combinations and meanings
*wrought - a very outdated book form, the table is for reference only. In modern English, its use is not practiced and is not recommended.
Now we can actually say that we have learned all the irregular verbs in modern English. Since the rest of the words, in most cases, are derived from already studied verbs. For example, we considered the word understand. When we meet the same expression, but with a negative prefix - misunderstand, we will already know that its forms will be misunderstood/misunderstood.
That's all, learn irregular verbs in English, work with translation and transcription, and don't rush to memorize everything at once. It is better to parse a few words a day than to suffer with a huge list and be nervous because it is not remembered. Good luck in practice!
There are regular (regular) and wrong (irregular). When using irregular verbs, their forms are formed in a different way than with regular verbs (by adding -ed to the infinitive).
The Irregular Verbs table consists of three forms:
- (this is the initial form of the verb in without the to particle).
- (verb in past tense).
- (participle in past tense).
Unfortunately, there is no such rule that helps to determine which verb is correct and which is not.
Total in English about . Naturally, it will not be possible to learn them right away, and it is not necessary: many of them are not used in speech, as they are considered obsolete.
Ways to Accelerated Memorization of Irregular Verbs
There are some ways you can speed up learning Irregular Verbs:
Group #1. The verb in all three forms is the same in pronunciation and spelling.
For example:
cut | cut | cut | cut |
hurt | hurt | hurt | hurt |
Group№ 2 . Past Simple and Past Participle are identical in spelling and pronunciation. For example:
Group№ 4 .The verb form is formed by adding -old to the first group of the infinitive:
Group№ 6. The form of the verb in Present Simple and Past Participle matches:
Group№ 8 .The formation of the Past Simple form is carried out using -ew, and the Past Participle - using -own:
Group№ 9 . O The formation of the Past Participle occurs with the ending -n added to the infinitive:
Group№ 11 . The vowel in each form changes according to the i-a-u principle, for example:
Note. Verbs formed with the prefixes re-, dis-, over-, un-, mis-, out-, under- and others will also be irregular. Their forms in Past Simple and Past Participal are the same as the verbs from which they were formed. For example, set - reset, stand - understand.
Table of irregular verbs (Irregular Verbs)
Below is a table of Irregular Verbs with 117 of the most common and most used.
Infinitive | past simple | Past particle | Translation |
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, grab |
choose | chose [ʃəuz] | chosen | choose |
come | came | come | to come |
cost | cost | cost | cost |
creep | crept | crept | crawl |
cut | cut | cut | cut |
do | did | done | make |
draw | drew | drawn | draw, draw |
dream | dream | dream | dream, dream |
drink | drank | drunk | drink |
drive | drove | driven [‘driven] | drive |
eat | ate | eaten [‘i:tn] | there is |
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 in 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 | give |
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 | Keep |
hurt | hurt | hurt | hurt |
keep | kept | kept | contain |
kneel | knelt | knelt | kneel |
know | knew | known | know |
lay | laid | laid | put |
lead | led | led | lead |
lean | lean | lean | tilt |
learn | learned | learned | learn |
leave | left | left | leave |
lend | lent | lent | 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 | 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 |
ring | rank | rung | ring |
rise | rose | risen [‘rizn] | get up |
run | ran | run | run away |
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 out |
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 | to 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 |
Let's see clearly how the forms of irregular verbs change in sentences:
- I write a letter to my Grandmother. - My father wrote a bestseller last year.- This story was written by unknown soldier of the Second Worlds War.
- I see my best friend every day. I saw my cousin three days ago at my uncle Bens birthday party. – I have already seen this comedy.
By following the rules described in the article, it will become much easier to learn the wrong ones. Good luck!
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 is also rich in irregular verbs.
Three or four forms of irregular English verbs?Romanian, German, Latin, 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 an ending -ed.
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 form from the others. 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, in the 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 remember 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:
to teach-taught-taught-teaching
I was teaching at school. - I taught at the school.
To choose-chose-chosen-choosing - choose
We were choosing a new dress fir Kitty.
Here you can find a table of irregular English verbs with translation into Russian and transcription, videos on learning and memorizing irregular verbs, links.
In English, there is a special category of verbs that does not follow the generally accepted rules when forming the past participle. They are called "wrong". Unlike “regular” verbs, to which the ending –ed is attached to form the past participle, these verbs either remain unchanged or take on unusual forms that are not always easy to remember. For example:
put - put - put;
drive - driven - driven.
If the first verb is easy to learn and use in sentences, then the second has to be learned directly by memorization.
Where did such difficulties with some verbs come from? Scientists have come to the conclusion that these are some kind of "fossils" that have remained in the language since ancient times. During its development, the English language adopted a large number of words from other European languages, but some words remained unchanged. Irregular verbs fall into this category.
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 occur |
awake [ə"weik] | awoke [ə"wəuk] | awoken [ə"wəukən] | wake up, wake up |
be | were, were | been | Be |
bear | bore | borne | Carry, take out |
beat | beat | beaten ["bi:tn] | Beat |
become | became | become | Become |
begin | started | begun | Start off |
hold | beheld | beheld | contemplate, see |
bend | bent | bent | Bend |
bereave | bereft / bereaved | deprive, take away | |
beseech | besought / beseeched | Ask, beg | |
beset | beset | beset | Surround |
bet | bet | bet | bet |
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, propagate |
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 bankrupt |
buy | bought | bought | Buy |
cast | cast | cast | Throw, throw away |
catch | caught | caught | catch, seize, catch |
choose | chose [ʃəuz] | chosen | Choose |
cleave | cleft | cleft | Split, cut |
cling | clung | clung | cling, hold on |
clothes | clothed / clad | Dress | |
come | came | come | To come |
cost | cost | cost | Cost |
creep | crept | crept | Crawl |
cut | cut | cut | Cut |
deal | dealt | dealt | To deal with |
dig | arc | arc | Dig |
disprove | disproved | disproved / disproved | Refute |
dive | dove | dived | dive, dive |
do | did | done | Make |
draw | drew | drawn | draw, drag |
dream | dream | dream | Dream, nap |
drink | drank | drunk | Drink |
drive | drove | driven ["driven] | drive |
dwell | dwelt / dwelled | live, dwell | |
eat | ate | eaten ["i:tn] | There is |
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 |
fleece | fled | fled | Run away, disappear |
fling | flung | flung | Throw, throw |
fly | flew | flown | Fly |
forbid | forbade | forbidden | Forbid |
forgo (forego) | future | foregone | Refuse, refrain |
forecast ["fɔ:ka:st] | forecast ["fɔ:ka:st] | forecast ["fɔ:ka:st] | Predict |
foresee | foresaw | foreseen | foresee, foresee |
foretell | foretold | foretold | predict, foretell |
forget | forgot | forgotten | Forget |
forgive | forgave | forgiven | Forgive |
forsake | forsook | forsaken | leave, leave |
freeze | frozen | 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 | hidden | hidden ["hidden] | Hide |
heave | heaved/hove | heaved/hove | Pull, push |
hew | hewed | hewn/hewed/ | Chop, cut down |
hit | hit | hit | hit the target |
hide | hidden | hidden | hide, hide |
hold | held | held | Hold |
hurt | hurt | hurt | Hurt |
inlay [ɪnˈleɪ] | inlaid [ɪnˈleɪd] | inlaid [ɪnˈleɪd] | invest (money), encrust |
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 | put |
lead | led | led | News |
lean | lean | lean | Tilt |
leap | leapt | leapt | Jump, jump |
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 |
mow | moved | mown | Mow, cut |
overcome [əʊvəˈkʌm] | overcame [əʊvəˈkeɪm] | overcome [əʊvəˈkʌm] | overcome, overcome |
pay | paid | paid | To pay |
plead | pleaded/pled | Beg, ask | |
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 | release, release |
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] | Shear, cut |
shed [ʃed] | shed [ʃed] | shed [ʃed] | spill, lose |
shine [ʃaɪn] | shone [ʃoʊn] | shone [ʃoʊn] | Shine, shine |
shit [ʃit] | shit [ʃit] | shit [ʃit] | crap |
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, kill |
sleep | slept | slept | Sleep |
slide | slide | slide | Slide |
sling | slung | slung | hang up |
slink | slinked / slunk | slip away | |
slit | slit | slit | Cut, cut |
smell | smelt | smelt | smell, feel |
smite | smote | smitten [ˈsmɪtn] | hit, hit |
sow | sowed | sown | Sow |
speak | spoke | spoken ["spouk(e)n] | Speak |
speed | sped | sped | Hurry, run |
spell | spelt | spelt | To spell |
spend | spent | spent | Spend |
spill | spilt | spilt | Shed |
spin | spun | spun | Spin, spin |
sleep | spit / spat | spit / spat | Spit |
split | split | split | Divide, break |
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 |
stink | stank | stun | stink, smell |
strew | strewed | strewn | To sprinkle |
stride | strode | stridden | Step |
strike | struck | struck / stricken | Beat, strike |
string | string | string | string, hang |
striving | strove / striving | try, try | |
wear | swore | sworn | swear, swear |
sweat | sweat / sweated | Sweat | |
sweep | swept | swept | sweep |
swell | swollen | swollen ["swoul(e)n] | Swell |
swim | swam | swum | To 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] | to thrust, to thrust |
thread | trod | trodden | trample, crush |
undergo [ʌndəˈɡəʊ] | life [ʌndə "wɛnt] | undergone [ʌndə"ɡɒn] | experience, endure |
understand [ʌndə"stænd] | understood [ʌndə"stud] | understood [ʌndə"stud] | Understand |
undertake [ʌndəˈteɪk] | undertook [ʌndəˈtʊk] | [ʌndəˈteɪk(ə)n] | undertake, make |
undo ["ʌn"du:] | undid ["ʌn" dɪd] | undone ["ʌn"dʌn] | Destroy, cancel |
upset [ʌp"set] | upset [ʌp"set] | upset [ʌp"set] | upset, upset |
wake | woke | 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 | wet |
win | won | won | Win |
wind | wound | wound | Wriggle |
withdraw | withdrew | withdrawn | Remove, remove |
withhold | withheld | withheld | hold, hide |
withstand | withstood | withstood | endure, resist |
ring | 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 English (top 100 compiled by himself). Examples are given for all irregular verbs, voice acting, etc. The most used irregular verbs come first, followed by the less used ones.
Pronunciation of irregular English verbs.
British Irregular English Verbs. The author makes it possible to repeat after him and thus hone the correct pronunciation of irregular verbs.
Learning irregular English verbs with the help of rap.
An interesting video for learning irregular English verbs superimposed on rap.
Examples of the use of irregular verbs:
1. I could swim when I was five. | 1. I could swim when I was five years old. |
2. Peter became an enterpreneur by chance. | 2. Peter became an entrepreneur by chance. |
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 great job yesterday. |
6. Jane ate the last piece of cake. | 6. Jane ate the last piece of the 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 the neighbor's son. |
9. We went shopping to the mall two days ago.. | 9. We went shopping at the nearest mall two days ago. |
10. She made a rather delicious pasta. | 10. She made quite tasty pasta. |
11. Have you bought a new car? | 11. Have you bought 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 do not need to repeat twice, because everything is clear. |
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 it would do him good. |