{"id":597468,"date":"2023-09-24T14:12:31","date_gmt":"2023-09-24T12:12:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scribbr.nl\/?p=597468"},"modified":"2023-09-24T14:26:24","modified_gmt":"2023-09-24T12:26:24","slug":"irregular-verbs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scribbr.com\/verbs\/irregular-verbs\/","title":{"rendered":"Irregular Verbs | Definition, Examples & Worksheet"},"content":{"rendered":"

An irregular verb is a verb<\/a> whose simple past<\/a> and past participle do not follow specific conjugation rules.<\/p>\n

In contrast to irregular verbs, regular verbs are verbs whose simple past and past participles are formed by adding \u201c-ed\u201d to the end of the verb (e.g., \u201ctalk\u201d becomes \u201ctalked\u201d).<\/p>\n

Examples: Irregular verbs<\/figcaption>The old man sang <\/strong>a song.<\/p>\n

Last week, Melanie accidentally broke<\/strong> her phone.<\/p>\n

I have known <\/strong>Karl for years.<\/p>\n

Someone has stolen<\/strong> my bike.<\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

Regular vs. irregular verbs<\/h2>\n

Verbs can be categorized as either regular or irregular.<\/p>\n

Regular verbs<\/strong> follow standard conjugation rules. The simple past tense<\/span> and past participles<\/a><\/span> of regular verbs are formed by adding the suffix \u201c-ed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Examples: Regular verbs<\/figcaption>I played<\/span> football with my friends.<\/p>\n

Adria has played<\/span> tennis since she was a child.<\/figure>\n

In contrast to regular verbs, irregular verbs<\/strong> do not follow a specific pattern and their simple past tense<\/span> and past participle<\/span> can be formed in various ways. Additionally, their simple past tense and past participle forms may differ.<\/p>\n

Examples: Irregular verbs<\/figcaption>We ate<\/span> at a nearby restaurant.<\/p>\n

Ken has eaten<\/span> takeout every night this week.<\/figure>\n

Irregular verbs list (free download)<\/h2>\n

Below is a table illustrating the simple past and past participle forms of some common irregular verbs.<\/p>\n

You can also download our longer list of irregular verbs in the format of your choice below.<\/p>\n

Download PDF list<\/a> Download Google Docs list<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Irregular verbs<\/caption>\n
Infinitive<\/strong><\/th>\nSimple past<\/strong><\/th>\nPast participle<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
be<\/td>\nwas\/were<\/td>\nbeen<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
do<\/td>\ndid<\/td>\ndone<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
have<\/td>\nhad<\/td>\nhad<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
say<\/td>\nsaid<\/td>\nsaid<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
know<\/td>\nknew<\/td>\nknown<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
get<\/td>\ngot<\/td>\ngot<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
see<\/td>\nsaw<\/td>\nseen<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
think<\/td>\nthought<\/td>\nthought<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
go<\/td>\nwent<\/td>\ngone<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
take<\/td>\ntook<\/td>\ntaken<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Worksheet: Irregular verbs<\/h2>\n

Practice using irregular verbs with the exercises below. In the blank space in each sentence, choose the correct verb form.<\/p>\n

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