Meaning, Types, and Examples
The irregular verbs add another level of complexity. In contrast to regular verbs, which follow a standard pattern for the way they are conjugated, irregular verbs diverge from the normal. They are, therefore, an essential component of language acquisition. Knowing irregular verbs and their variants is necessary to create correct and fluent sentences.
This blog will examine the meaning, definitions, types, and examples of irregular verbs. We will also highlight their distinctive features and use throughout English grammar.
What are Irregular Verbs?
Irregular verbs are a category of verbs within English that do not use the conventional “-ed” ending to form their past Tense and Participle. Instead, irregular verbs undergo distinct modifications in their base shape, form, past tense, and past Participle. These need to be memorized separately.
Types of Irregular Verbs:
The irregular verbs are classified into three types based on the change they undergo:
- Vowel Change: Some irregular verbs have changes in the vowel sound they use between the base form, the past present Tense, and the past Participle.
- Example:
-
- Base Form to sing
- Past Tense Past Tense: sang.
- Past Participle: sung
- Vowel Changes with “-n” or “-en” Past Participation: In this kind of situation, irregular verbs alter their vowel sounds and include “-n” or “-en” to make”a past participle.
- Example:
-
- Base Form: Swim
- Past Tense Swam
- Past Participation: Swam
- No Pattern: Certain irregular verbs do not follow a consistent pattern, and their present Tense and past participles are distinct.
How do you use irregular verbs?
Irregular words are utilized in the same manner as the other types of verbs. They are employed in the present tense, past tense, past Participle, and different tenses. For instance, the verb “go” can be used in the following ways:
- Present Tense: I attend school every day.
- Past present Tense: Yesterday I was at school today.
- Past Participle: I’ve attended school several times.
Example sentences for Irregular Verbs:
- He can break the vase by accident. (Present Tense)
- The racer did break the record during the race. (Past Tense)
- The window was damaged in the storm. (Past Participle)
- They take their breakfast every day. (Present Tense)
- We were eating at the newly opened restaurant the other day. (Past Tense)
- All consumed the tasty cake. (Past Participle)
- The writer writes a story each week. (Present Tense)
- It was a beautiful poem. Wrote a lovely poem the other night. (Past Tense)
- The writer has recorded the note. (Past Participle)
- I can see mountains that are in the distance. (Present Tense)
- We saw a shooting star last night. (Past Tense)
- A lot of visitors observed the spectacular views. (Past Participle)
- He rides the bus every day to work. (Present Tense)
- The girl took taxis to the airport last night. (Past Tense)
- Luggage was carried into the hotel with the help of the staff. (Past Participle)
- They start their journey in the early morning. (Present Tense)
- We began our adventure last summer. (Past Tense)
- A zealous team started it. (Past Participle)
- He is a regular visitor for a workout frequently. (Present Tense)
- The girl was taken on a trip to the cinema last night. (Past Tense)
- The children have been for a walk in the city park. (Past Participle)
- The girl cracks in pieces the bar of chocolate. (Present Tense)
- The children consume dessert with ice cream following dinner. (Present Tense)