List Of Top 10 Irregular Verbs in English

Irregular verbs are a challenging yet essential part of mastering English. Unlike regular verbs, which form their past tense and past participle by simply adding “-ed,” irregular verbs follow no consistent pattern. This irregularity can be confusing for learners, but with the right strategies, you can learn to use them confidently.

In this guide, you’ll explore what irregular verbs are, how they are conjugated, and practical ways to practice and remember them. Whether you’re a beginner or refining your grammar, this article will boost your confidence and fluency.

What Are Irregular Verbs in English?

An irregular verb is one that doesn’t follow the standard rules of conjugation. While regular verbs form their past tense and past participle with “-ed” (e.g., play → played), irregular verbs change form in unpredictable ways.

Examples:

• Go → went (past tense) → gone (past participle)
• Eat → ate → eaten

These changes must be memorized, as they don’t follow fixed rules. Irregular verbs are common and vital for everyday conversation and writing.

Why Are Irregular Verbs Important?

Irregular verbs are among the most frequently used verbs in English. Mastery of these verbs helps:

• Improve fluency in speaking and writing
• Avoid common grammatical mistakes
• Understand and produce natural-sounding English

Examples:

• I saw a movie last night. (Correct)
• I seed a movie last night. (Incorrect)

Types of Irregular Verbs

Irregular verbs can be grouped by their patterns to make them easier to learn:

1. Same Spelling in All Forms

These verbs remain the same in base form, past tense, and past participle:

• Cut → cut → cut
• Put → put → put
• Set → set → set

2. Same Past Tense and Past Participle

These verbs have a different base form, but the same past and past participle:

• Think → thought → thought
• Catch → caught → caught
• Learn → learned/learnt → learned/learnt

3. All Forms Are Different

These verbs have three distinct forms:

• Go → went → gone
• Take → took → taken
• See → saw → seen

Common Irregular Verbs List

Here are 10 high-frequency irregular verbs you should know

How to Learn and Practice Irregular Verbs

Step 1: Group Verbs by Patterns

Group similar verbs together to recognize trends:

• Blow, grew, known (endings: -ow, -ew, -own)
• Shake, took, taken
• Drink, sank, sung

Step 2: Practice in Context

Use the verbs in meaningful sentences:

• She went to the store.
• I have eaten my lunch.

Step 3: Use Flashcards

Write the base form on one side and the past/past participle on the other.

Step 4: Try Interactive Exercises

• Take online quizzes
• Write short stories using irregular verbs
• Use mobile apps like Quizlet

Irregular Verbs in Different Tenses

Understanding irregular verbs across tenses is key:

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using Regular Endings on Irregular Verbs

• Incorrect: I goed to the park.
• Correct: I went to the park.

2. Confusing Similar Forms

• “sang” (verb) vs. “song” (noun)
• Always check context.

Practice Test

Fill in the blanks with the correct verb form:

1. I (go) __________ to the library yesterday.
2. She (see) __________ him at the party.
3. We have (take) __________ the wrong bus.
4. They (eat) __________ all the cookies.
5. I (speak) __________ to my teacher.
6. He (run) __________ to the store this morning.

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