Common Irregular Verbs and How to Use Them Correctly
Common Irregular Verbs and How to Use Them Properly
There is a simple rule for changing a verb to past tense. Most verbs can be turned into past tense simply by adding a “d’ or “ed” to the end of the verb. But just like with most rules, there are exceptions that can confuse us. There are many irregular verbs in the English language. Below is a list of irregular verbs that are commonly misused, because they do not follow the rule.
Begin
Past tense: began Past Participle: begun
Incorrect: She beginned to really appreciate 90’s music after hearing a Justin Bieber song.
Correct: She began to really appreciate 90’s music after hearing a Justin Bieber song.
Cling
Past tense: clung Past Participle: clung
Incorrect: Sue clinged to the thought of the hot bath waiting for her at home to make it through her work day.
Correct: Sue clung to the thought of the hot bath waiting for her at home to make it through her work day.
Read
Past tense: read Past Participle: read
Incorrect: I readed her Facebook status about cottage cheese over and over again.
Correct: I read her Facebook status about cottage cheese over and over again.
Understand
Past tense: understood Past Participle: understood
Incorrect: I finally understanded how my parents felt all those years when I first heard my daughter say “I was asked on my first date this weekend.”
Correct: I finally understood how my parents felt all those years when I first heard my daughter say “I was asked on my first date this weekend”
Lend
Past tense: lent Past Participle: lent
Incorrect: I knew she was my best friend the day she lended an ear to hear me complain about the huge pimple on my forehead for over an hour without telling me to shut up.
Correct: I knew she was my best friend the day she lent an ear to hear me complain about the huge pimple on my forehead for over an hour without telling me to shut up.
Forgive
Past tense: forgave Past Participle: forgiven
Incorrect: My puppy forgived me for stepping on his tail.
Correct: My puppy forgave me for stepping on his tail.
Other Irregular Verbs
Base Form
| Past Tense
| Past Participle
|
---|---|---|
be, is, am, are
| was, were
| been
|
beat
| beat
| beaten
|
buy
| bought
| bought
|
choose
| chose
| chosen
|
come
| came
| come
|
do
| did
| done
|
draw
| drew
| drawn
|
eat
| ate
| eaten
|
fall
| fell
| fallen
|
fell
| felt
| felt
|
fight
| fought
| fought
|
fling
| flung
| flung
|
give
| gave
| given
|
go
| went
| gone
|
have
| had
| had
|
lay
| laid
| laid
|
run
| ran
| run
|
say
| said
| said
|
send
| sent
| sent
|
swim
| swam
| swum
|
tell
| told
| told
|
wear
| wore
| worn
|
My Other Grammar/English Related Hubs
- A Guide to Using Quotation Marks
Knowing when and how to use quotation marks can be very tricky. This is a quick and easy guide to help you properly use quotation marks. Warning: my examples are not your standard textbook examples! -Any time you use someone's words exactly how...