Introduction to Irregular Verbs List:
For anyone learning English, encountering an irregular verbs list is an inevitable and critical step. These verbs, which defy the standard rule of adding “-ed” for their past forms, are the foundation of accurate and fluent communication. A strong command of the irregular verbs list is not only vital for daily conversation but also a non-negotiable component of syllabi for major competitive examinations worldwide. This article provides a comprehensive irregular verbs list, strategic learning tips, and answers to frequently asked questions to turn this challenge into confidence.
Important Tips & Information
- Pattern Recognition: While irregular, many verbs group into patterns (e.g., swim-swam-swum, begin-began-begun). Learning by these groups is more efficient than memorizing randomly.
- Focus on the “Big Ones”: Prioritize the most common irregular verbs (e.g., be, have, do, go, say, make, take) as they appear with the highest frequency.
- Learn in Context: Memorizing lists is helpful, but practice using verbs in sentences. This aids in recalling both the past form and the correct usage.
- For Exam Takers: Competitive exams like TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, SAT, and various banking/ SSC exams frequently test tense consistency and correct verb form in error-spotting, fill-in-the-blanks, and sentence correction sections. A single incorrect past participle can make a sentence grammatically wrong.
- The Three Forms: Always learn the base form (V1), the simple past (V2), and the past participle (V3) together, as the V3 is essential for perfect tenses and passive voice.
100 Examples of Irregular Verbs List
(Base Form – Past Simple – Past Participle)
- arise – arose – arisen
- awake – awoke – awoken
- be – was/were – been
- bear – bore – borne
- beat – beat – beaten
- become – became – become
- begin – began – begun
- bend – bent – bent
- bet – bet – bet
- bid – bid – bid
- bind – bound – bound
- bite – bit – bitten
- bleed – bled – bled
- blow – blew – blown
- break – broke – broken
- breed – bred – bred
- bring – brought – brought
- broadcast – broadcast – broadcast
- build – built – built
- burn – burnt/burned – burnt/burned
- burst – burst – burst
- buy – bought – bought
- cast – cast – cast
- catch – caught – caught
- choose – chose – chosen
- cling – clung – clung
- come – came – come
- cost – cost – cost
- creep – crept – crept
- cut – cut – cut
- deal – dealt – dealt
- dig – dug – dug
- do – did – done
- draw – drew – drawn
- dream – dreamt/dreamed – dreamt/dreamed
- drink – drank – drunk
- drive – drove – driven
- dwell – dwelt – dwelt
- eat – ate – eaten
- fall – fell – fallen
- feed – fed – fed
- feel – felt – felt
- fight – fought – fought
- find – found – found
- flee – fled – fled
- fling – flung – flung
- fly – flew – flown
- forbid – forbade – forbidden
- forget – forgot – forgotten
- forgive – forgave – forgiven
- freeze – froze – frozen
- get – got – got/gotten
- give – gave – given
- go – went – gone
- grind – ground – ground
- grow – grew – grown
- hang – hung – hung
- have – had – had
- hear – heard – heard
- hide – hid – hidden
- hit – hit – hit
- hold – held – held
- hurt – hurt – hurt
- keep – kept – kept
- kneel – knelt – knelt
- know – knew – known
- lay – laid – laid
- lead – led – led
- lean – leant/leaned – leant/leaned
- leap – leapt/leaped – leapt/leaped
- learn – learnt/learned – learnt/learned
- leave – left – left
- lend – lent – lent
- let – let – let
- lie (recline) – lay – lain
- light – lit/lighted – lit/lighted
- lose – lost – lost
- make – made – made
- mean – meant – meant
- meet – met – met
- pay – paid – paid
- put – put – put
- quit – quit – quit
- read – read – read
- ride – rode – ridden
- ring – rang – rung
- rise – rose – risen
- run – ran – run
- say – said – said
- see – saw – seen
- seek – sought – sought
- sell – sold – sold
- send – sent – sent
- set – set – set
- shake – shook – shaken
- shine – shone – shone
- shoot – shot – shot
- show – showed – shown
- shrink – shrank – shrunk
- shut – shut – shut
FAQs on Irregular Verbs List
Q1: What is the fastest way to memorize the irregular verbs list?
A: Group verbs with similar patterns (e.g., sing-sang-sung, drink-drank-drunk) and use them actively by writing sentences or stories. Spaced repetition with flashcards (digital or physical) is also highly effective.
Q2: How many irregular verbs are there in English?
A: There are approximately 200 common irregular verbs. However, mastering the top 50-100 is sufficient for most practical and examination purposes, as the others are rarely used.
Q3: Are “burned” and “burnt” both correct?
A: Yes, both are generally acceptable. “Burnt” is more common in British English, while “burned” is preferred in American English. Similar variations exist for verbs like dreamt/dreamed, leapt/leaped, and learnt/learned.
Disclaimer on Irregular Verbs List
This irregular verbs list is compiled for educational purposes. While comprehensive, English usage can vary by region, and some verbs may have alternative accepted forms. For high-stakes examinations, always refer to the specific style guide or syllabus recommended by the examining body.
Conclusion on Irregular Verbs List
Achieving proficiency with the irregular verbs list is a transformative milestone in English language mastery. It requires consistent practice and strategic learning, but the payoff in grammatical accuracy and confidence is immense. By utilizing this guide, learners and exam candidates can build a solid foundation. Bookmark this irregular verbs list, incorporate the tips into your study routine, and approach your learning goals or competitive exams with significantly greater assurance.
Also Read: Mastering the Art of Connection: 100 Essential Conjunction Examples
Chapter 1: Real Numbers – 100 MCQs for Class 10 (TS SSC)
About The Author
