Irregular Verbs
REGULAR / IRREGULAR VERBS
The English language uses both regular and irregular verbs. When forming the past tense or the present/past perfect tense of these verbs, we use different methods.
To form the past tense of a regular verb ending with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u), add a d to the word. To form the present/past perfect tense, add a d plus a helping verb (have, had, or has). For example, the verb share ends with the vowel e. share = present tense shared (share + d) = past tense had shared (had + share + d) = past perfect tense (have is the helping verb)
If the regular verb ends with a consonant, add ed for the past tense. Add ed plus a helping verb for the present/past perfect tense.
For example, the verb pour ends with the consonant r. pour = present tense poured (pour + ed) = past tense have poured (have + pour + ed) = present perfect tense
(If you need help understanding tense, please ask a CWC instructor for a handout on definition of tense.)
Unlike regular verbs, irregular verbs do not follow a pattern. You must memorize them.
For example, the irregular verb see has three principal parts: see, saw, seen.
I see the stars= present tense
I saw the stars= past tense
I have seen the stars= present perfect tense
Below is a list of irregular verbs and a few tricky regular verbs that students often misuse. Cover the columns marked past and present/past perfect, leaving the present column visible. Now read the verbs in the present column and see if you know their past and present/past perfect forms. If not, keep memorizing!
PRESENT
PAST
PRESENT/PAST
PERFECT (with has, had, have)
arise awake bear become arose awakened bore became arisen awakened borne become begin bend bid bite blow break bring burst buy build can catch choose cling come cost creep dig do drag drug draw drink drive eat fall feel fight find` fit forget forgive forsake freeze get give go grow hang (execute)
The English language uses both regular and irregular verbs. When forming the past tense or the present/past perfect tense of these verbs, we use different methods.
To form the past tense of a regular verb ending with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u), add a d to the word. To form the present/past perfect tense, add a d plus a helping verb (have, had, or has). For example, the verb share ends with the vowel e. share = present tense shared (share + d) = past tense had shared (had + share + d) = past perfect tense (have is the helping verb)
If the regular verb ends with a consonant, add ed for the past tense. Add ed plus a helping verb for the present/past perfect tense.
For example, the verb pour ends with the consonant r. pour = present tense poured (pour + ed) = past tense have poured (have + pour + ed) = present perfect tense
(If you need help understanding tense, please ask a CWC instructor for a handout on definition of tense.)
Unlike regular verbs, irregular verbs do not follow a pattern. You must memorize them.
For example, the irregular verb see has three principal parts: see, saw, seen.
I see the stars= present tense
I saw the stars= past tense
I have seen the stars= present perfect tense
Below is a list of irregular verbs and a few tricky regular verbs that students often misuse. Cover the columns marked past and present/past perfect, leaving the present column visible. Now read the verbs in the present column and see if you know their past and present/past perfect forms. If not, keep memorizing!
PRESENT
PAST
PRESENT/PAST
PERFECT (with has, had, have)
arise awake bear become arose awakened bore became arisen awakened borne become begin bend bid bite blow break bring burst buy build can catch choose cling come cost creep dig do drag drug draw drink drive eat fall feel fight find` fit forget forgive forsake freeze get give go grow hang (execute)