They are powerful, aren't they?

Irregular verbs play a vital role in the English language.They make up only 3.6% of the verbs, but they outnumber the frequency of regular verbs in spoken and written English.It's also important to point out that the ten most commonly used verbs in English are irregular. The list includes be, come, do, have, get, go, know, make, see and take. The mastery of irregular verbs is crucial for those students who intend to achieve a high level of proficiency in English.

There are hundreds of irregular verbs in English, but good news! You don't need to memorize the past and participle forms of all of them. Concentrate on the ones which are frequent words in everyday English. Of course you have already seen the well-known list of irregular verbs. It might be helpful, but I recommend studying the irregular verbs in clear and short sentences. Stay away from long sentences and focus on the ones that are simple but useful for the learning process.Let's have a look at the two sentences below:

These organizations fought very hard for the rights and welfare of immigrants in the 1990s.

They fought bravely for their lives.

The first sentence is better to empower your vocabulary, but the second one is more effective when it comes to memorizing the past simple form of the irregular verb 'fight'. Now let's have a look at the present perfect simple:

The disease has struck the whole community, sometimes wiping out whole families.

The stone has struck Sean on the nose.

Again the second sentence is more useful if you take into account you are not exactly interested in improving your vocabulary. You main goal is to learn how to use the irregular verbs properly. Simple is best guys!

After studying clearly written sentences for the most important irregular verbs, it's time to practise. Do a lot of different exercises and make up your own sentences.You don't need to create long and complex ones. If you are practising the verb 'catch', you can write something like that:

I caught the bus yesterday morning./ I have just caught the ball.

It's important to point out that the following verbs might be regular or irregular:

burn / burned or burnt dream / dreamed or dreamt

learn/ learned or learnt/ smell /smelled or smelt.

Pay attention to the following verbs!

Get. In American English the past participle of the verb 'get' is usually gotten.

It's possible to say 'I have got a lot of presents lately'. or ' I have gotten a lot of presents lately.'

Hang. It's often an irregular verb.

Catherine hung the sun hat on the hook.

They hung out last Saturday night.

However, 'hang' is a regular verb when it means 'death by hanging'.

They hanged him for murder.

Lie. 'Lie' is an irregular verb when it means 'to be in a position in which your body is flat on the floor, on a bed, etc.

Irene lay down on the couch and turned on the TV.

But 'Lie' is a regular verb when it means 'say something which is not true'.

He lied about his age.

Read. 'Read' is pronounced /red/ in the past simple and past participle forms.

Rise. Don't confuse 'rise' and 'raise'.

'Rise' is an irregular verb: Raise/Rose/Risen

The elevator rose to the top floor.

The balloon rose to the ceiling of the room.

'Raise' is a regular verb: Raise/Raised/Raised

I raised my hand because I knew the answer.

Irregular Verbs are everywhere! In formal and informal contexts.In spoken and written English.Therefore, we need their past simple and past participle forms frequently. Make time to study the most important irregular verbs so that you might be able to use them correctly.I'm sure you will express yourself much clearer and better in English!

By Marco Fialho

Marco Fialho is the author of the book 'Irregular Verbs.The Ultimate Guide.' (under the pen name Bryan Feldman)

Do you have problems with English Irregular Verbs?

Then concentrate on the ones you really need to know!

1,600 sentences to study and practise the most important irregular verbs.

A self-study reference and practice book which can also be used for classroom work.

Easy to use: 10 example sentences clearly written for each verb.

Attractive illustrations.

Check out what you have learned by answering exercises.

Additional exercises: review all the verbs approached in the book.

Key section: it brings the answers to all activities.

Simple in form but rich in content!!!

'Irregular Verbs.The Ultimate Guide.That's easy....Just Practise!!! by Bryan Feldman

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