Irregular Verb: Definition, Examples & Rules | English Grammar
Last Updated: 01 Jul, 2025
Welcome! In this lesson, you'll learn everything you need to know about Irregular Verbs in English grammar. We'll cover what they are, why they matter, how to use them, and how to avoid common mistakes. You'll also find real-life examples, a quick quiz, and pro tips to help you master this essential grammar topic.
What is an Irregular Verb?
Irregular Verb Definition: An Irregular Verb is a verb that does not follow the standard pattern of adding "-ed" to form the past tense and past participle. These verbs have unique forms that must be memorized because they don't follow predictable conjugation rules.
Why are Irregular Verbs Important? They are among the most commonly used verbs in English and must be learned individually since they don't follow regular patterns. Many essential verbs like "be," "have," "go," and "see" are irregular.
Function in Grammar
Irregular verbs function exactly like regular verbs in sentences, but they have unique forms for past tense and past participle. They can be used in all the same ways as regular verbs. For example:
- Base form: go → Past tense: went → Past participle: gone
- Base form: see → Past tense: saw → Past participle: seen
Irregular Verb vs Regular Verb: Irregular verbs have unique forms that must be memorized, while regular verbs follow predictable "-ed" patterns.
Common Irregular Verb Conjugation Patterns
| Base Form | Past Tense | Past Participle | Present Participle |
|---|---|---|---|
| go | went | gone | going |
| see | saw | seen | seeing |
| eat | ate | eaten | eating |
| write | wrote | written | writing |
| take | took | taken | taking |
Irregular verbs have unique forms that must be memorized individually.
📌 Irregular Verb Challenge!
Can you conjugate these irregular verbs correctly?
- Base form: go → Past tense: _____
- Base form: see → Past participle: _____
- Base form: eat → Past tense: _____
Show Answers
- went (unique form)
- seen (unique form)
- ate (unique form)
Examples of Irregular Verbs in Sentences
- I go to school every day. (Present)
- Yesterday, I went to the store. (Past)
- I have gone there many times. (Past participle)
- She sees the movie. (Present)
- She saw the movie last night. (Past)
- She has seen that movie before. (Past participle)
- He eats breakfast every morning. (Present)
- He ate lunch at noon. (Past)
- He has eaten dinner already. (Past participle)
- They write letters. (Present)
- They wrote a book. (Past)
- They have written many stories. (Past participle)
- We take the bus. (Present)
- We took a taxi. (Past)
- We have taken that route before. (Past participle)
Notice how irregular verbs have completely different forms for past tense and past participle.
Irregular Verbs vs Regular Verbs
Key Differences
| Aspect | Irregular Verb | Regular Verb |
|---|---|---|
| Pattern | Follows unique patterns | Follows predictable rules |
| Past Tense | Unique form (went) | Add -ed (walked) |
| Past Participle | Unique form (gone) | Add -ed (walked) |
| Learning | Must be memorized | Easy to learn |
| Examples | go, see, eat, write | walk, play, work |
Irregular verbs have unique forms, while regular verbs follow predictable patterns.
Special Rules and Notes
- No Pattern: Irregular verbs don't follow any predictable pattern - each must be learned individually.
- Common Verbs: Many of the most frequently used verbs in English are irregular (be, have, do, go, see, eat).
- Present Participle: Irregular verbs still add -ing for present participle (going, seeing, eating).
- Third Person Singular: Irregular verbs still add -s for third person singular (goes, sees, eats).
- Some Patterns: While irregular, some verbs share similar patterns (sing/sang/sung, ring/rang/rung).
- Historical Origins: Many irregular verbs come from Old English and have retained their original forms.
- Frequency: Irregular verbs are often the most commonly used verbs in English.
- Memorization: The best way to learn irregular verbs is through practice and memorization.
Quick Quiz: Irregular Verb Conjugation!
Conjugate these irregular verbs correctly:
- Base form: go → Past tense: _____
- Base form: see → Past participle: _____
- Base form: eat → Past tense: _____
- Base form: write → Past participle: _____
- Base form: take → Past tense: _____
- Base form: come → Past participle: _____
- Base form: give → Past tense: _____
- Base form: know → Past participle: _____
Answers: went, seen, ate, written, took, come, gave, known
🔧 Sentence Correction Challenge!
Can you spot and fix the mistakes in these sentences?
- I go to school yesterday. (Incorrect tense)
- She see the movie last night. (Incorrect past tense)
- They have ate dinner. (Incorrect past participle)
Show Corrected Sentences
- I went to school yesterday. (Use irregular past tense)
- She saw the movie last night. (Use irregular past tense)
- They have eaten dinner. (Use irregular past participle)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an irregular verb?
An irregular verb is a verb that does not follow the standard pattern of adding "-ed" to form the past tense and past participle. These verbs have unique forms that must be memorized.
How do you identify an irregular verb?
Irregular verbs have unique past tense and past participle forms that do not follow predictable rules.
What are some common irregular verbs?
Examples include: be, have, go, see, eat, write, take.
Why are irregular verbs important?
They are among the most commonly used verbs in English and must be learned individually.
Can irregular verbs be used in all tenses?
Yes, but their past tense and past participle forms must be memorized.
Conclusion
Understanding irregular verbs is crucial for mastering English grammar. These verbs, while challenging to learn, are among the most commonly used words in English. Since they don't follow predictable patterns, they must be memorized individually. Focus on learning the most frequently used irregular verbs first, such as "be," "have," "do," "go," "see," and "eat." Practice using them in different tenses and contexts. Remember that while irregular verbs have unique past tense and past participle forms, they still follow regular patterns for present participle (-ing) and third person singular (-s). With consistent practice and memorization, you'll master these essential verbs and significantly improve your English skills!