Regular and Irregular Verbs

What is a regular verb?

A regular verb is one that conforms to the usual rule for forming its simple past tense.

In English, the "usual" rule is to add -ed or -d to the base form of the verb to create the past forms.

Examples: 

Add "ed" to most verbs:

• jump > jumped
• paint > painted

If a verb of one syllable ends [consonant-vowel-consonant], double the final consonant and add "ed":

• chat > chatted
• stop > stopped

If the final consonant is w, x or y, don't double it:

• sew > sewed
• play > played
• fix > fixed

If the last syllable of a longer verb is stressed and ends [consonant-vowel-consonant], double the last consonant and add "ed":

• incur > incurred
• prefer > preferred

If the first syllable of a longer verb is stressed and the verb ends [consonant-vowel-consonant], just add "ed":

• open > opened
• enter > entered
• swallow > swallowed

If the verb ends "e", just add "d":

• thrive > thrived
• guzzle > guzzled

If the verb ends [consonant + "y"], change the "y" to an "i" and add "ed":

• cry > cried
• fry > fried

What is an irregular verb?

An irregular verb is one that does not form its simple past tense by adding -ed or -d to the base form.                 

Examples:

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PRACTICE