Irregular Verbs
In English, there are action verbs that when changed to past from present, change in
form. In other words, it isn’t a matter of simply adding –ed to the end of a word. Rather, the
spelling of the whole word itself changes. On some occasions, the spelling does not change
when switching from present to past. The word “cut” is a primary example of a word that
does not change regardless of whether it is simple present, simple past, or the participle of the
word.
Below is a list of some of the most commonly found irregular verbs in English. The best way
to learn these words is to memorize them and read so that you can see them in context. Also,
you’ll find a brief explanation of each type of tense and when each word is used.
Simple Present – (verb + “s” or “es”)
We use this tense to indicate that an action is repeated. Also, we use the simple present to
show a preference towards hobbies, interests, or desire.
Past Present Future
Examples of Simple Present
I want to walk to school.
The boy likes to play baseball.
Simple Past – (verb + -ed) if not irregular.
Refers to an event that happened sometime in the past. This event could have
happened 5 minutes ago, 5 days ago, 5 years ago, etc.
Past Present Future
Examples of Simple Past
He walked to school.
The boy went home.
Past Participle – (usually a different spelling of the word. Can be a word plus –ed. Also,
can be the word, without change, such as “cut” for the participial
form)
We use the past participle for four different reasons, each of which is outlined below.
Participial phrases
Bothered by the boys, Ralph told the teacher about the situation.
Known to many, education is an important part of life.
Drawn to the light, Sue carefully made her way down the path.
Participial adjectives
I was angered by the news.
The fallen soldiers will always be remembered.
The hidden palace was found by a few scientists.
With the passive voice
The teachers were reprimanded by the supervisor.
He was driven by anger.
The tests were made by the instructors.
With the perfect tenses
They have paid their dues.
Ralph and Anna have spent all of their time working on the project.
Vacation has come and gone. It’s time to go back to work.
Commonly found Irregular Verbs in English
Simple Present Simple Past Past Participle
Become Became Become
Begin Began Begun
Blow Blew blown
Break Broke Broken
Buy Bought Bought
Catch Caught Caught
Cut Cut Cut
Do Did Done
Drink Drank Drunk
Find Found Found
Hear Heard Heard
Hide Hid Hidden
Hold Held Held
Hurt Hurt Hurt
Know Knew Known
Lose Lost Lost
Make Made Made
Read Read Read
Ring Rang Rung
Sell Sold Sold
Sing Sang Sung
Speak Spoke Spoken
Stand Stood Stood
Steal Stole Stolen
Tell Told Told
Think Thought Thought
Throw Threw Thrown
Understand Understood Understood
Write Wrote Written