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Irregular Verbs

Let’s work with a few irregular verbs this week. Regular verbs change tense by adding an —ed.

Examples: I like to walk quickly.
I walked to the store.

Note: Do not use has or have with the past tense form.

Example: I went to the store. NOT I have went to the store.

Present Form (used alone or with will)
go
swim
run

Past Form
went
swam
ran

Past Participle Form (used with have or has)
has/have gone
has/have swum
has/have run

Present Participle Form (ing formed with to be verbs such as is, are, was, were, am)
going
swimming
running

Examples with go:

I go to my aunt’s house in the afternoon.
I will go to my aunt’s house.
I went to my aunt’s house yesterday.
I have gone to my aunt’s house every afternoon this week.
I am going to my aunt’s house this afternoon.

Examples with swim:

I swim at my aunt’s house in the afternoon.
I will swim at my aunt’s house.
I swam at my aunt’s house yesterday.
I have swum at my aunt’s house every afternoon this week.
I am swimming at my aunt’s house this afternoon.

Examples with run:

I run around the track daily.
I will run around the track every day this week.
I ran around the track yesterday.
I have run around the track every day this week.
I am running around the track every day this week.

Pop Quiz

1. I will run/ran for office next year.
2. I have run/ran for office twice.
3. I have went/gone to the dentist but my tooth still hurts.
4. I have swam/swum the butterfly stroke in competition.
5. He ringed/rang the bell before entering.
6. He has rang/rung the bell twice but no one has answered.

Pop Quiz Answers

1. I will run for office next year.
2. I have run for office twice.
3. I have gone to the dentist but my tooth still hurts.
4. I have swum the butterfly stroke in competition.
5. He rang the bell before entering.
6. He has rung the bell twice but no one has answered.

Posted on Friday, July 18th, 2008, at 6:25 pm

8 Comments

8 Responses to “Irregular Verbs”

  1. Emily says:
    February 21, 2011 at 11:20 am

    Jane,
    You repeated the Pop Quiz questions in the Pop Quiz Answers portion. I thought you’d like to know.
    By the way, I purchased your book after finding this website. It’s well-loved. Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Jessica says:
    August 31, 2011 at 3:35 am

    Thanks so much for this useful information .I will purchase the book too!!

    Reply
  3. Mehran says:
    May 31, 2012 at 1:44 pm

    Kindly convert this sentense into present tence ,”He rose to his feet and went away”

    Reply
  4. Pierre says:
    November 13, 2012 at 7:50 am

    Good day. Can you please help me with the following: The fridge and freezer were or was?

    Reply
    • Jane says:
      November 13, 2012 at 7:53 am

      In accordance with our Rule 6 of Subject and Verb Agreement:

      Rule 6 – As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are connected by and.
      Therefore, your sentence should be “The fridge and freezer were . . . “

      Reply

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