1. A past full of irregularities

In this section, you will learn that some verbs do not follow the pattern of adding -ed at their end to express past time. These are the so-called irregular verbs in Past Simple tense.

 

Building blocks

If you remember how to express past time with the Past Simple tense, two letters will come to mind: -ed. That was how we created the Past Simple tense of verbs... generally speaking.

There is a group of verbs which do not follow that rule. They don't add this cluster but, instead, they change their spelling. They are called irregular verbs.

Here are some examples:

Chart with examples of Present Simple and Past Simple tense verbs

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These changes happen in affirmative. When we want to express negation in the past, or ask a question in Past Simple with an irregular verb, we use the auxiliary did. Look at the examples below:

1. I didn't spend a lot of money at the restaurant. I only spent 15€ (to spend).

2. A: Did she meet her parents last weekend?

    B: No, she didn't. She met her girlfriend instead (to meet).

As you can see, the irregular verb keeps its (infinitive) form when it goes with the auxiliary. That is to say, in sentence number 1, the verb is 'to spend'. In Past Simple affirmative, we have 'spent'. However, in its negative form, 'didn't spend', the verb is in its infinitive form. The same thing happens with the interrogative form.

In sentence number 2, with the verb 'to meet', it says: 'Did you meet...?' but later, speaker B uses an affirmative sentence in Past Simple and, therefore, we have 'met'.

A good thing about the Past Simple of irregular verbs is that the form remains the same for all the persons. Look at the following chart where the verb 'to run' is given as an example:

 Example of subjects and the same form of a verb in the Past Simple tense

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Language enlightment

Are you thinking that the irregular forms of verbs look like new words? You are probably right but don't panic. The best way to remember them is by using them as much as you can (combined with some study, of course) but, please, don't memorize them in a list. That's a waste of time and we all know that it doesn't work because after some time, you forget them.

You learn a foreign language when you use it, not when you memorise it. It's like riding a bike: don't memorise its parts or how to ride it -just ride it!

Child riding a bike

Imagen de Elliot Gilfix en Flickr bajo licencia CC

Here you have a list of the most common irregular verbs in English.

So, are you ready to practice those irregular verbs? Let's move on to the next section!