Irregular Verbs Exercises

Understanding Irregular Verbs

Mastering irregular verbs is essential for anyone learning English. Unlike regular verbs that follow predictable patterns when changing tense (adding -ed for past tense), irregular verbs transform in unique ways that must be memorized. These exercises will help you practice and reinforce your knowledge of these challenging but common verbs.

Why Irregular Verbs Matter

Many of the most frequently used verbs in English are irregular, including be, have, do, say, make, go, take, come, see, and get. Mastering these verbs is crucial for clear communication in both spoken and written English. Regular practice with targeted exercises helps develop fluency and prevents common mistakes.

Types of Irregular Verb Exercises

Fill-in-the-Blank Exercises

Fill-in-the-blank exercises ask you to provide the correct form of an irregular verb in a sentence. These exercises typically give you the base form (infinitive) of the verb and require you to supply either the simple past or past participle form.

Example:
– Base form: sink
– Simple past: _______
– Past participle: _______

(Answers: sank, sunk)

Sentence Completion

These exercises provide sentences with missing verb forms that you must complete correctly.

Example:
– Yesterday, she _______ (leave) her keys at home.
– The children have _______ (fall) asleep.

(Answers: left, fallen)

Multiple Choice Questions

Multiple choice exercises offer several options for the correct verb form, challenging you to select the right one.

Example:
The teacher _______ the students how to solve the equation.
a) teached
b) taught
c) teaching
d) teaches

(Answer: b) taught)

Common Irregular Verbs Practice

Basic Irregular Verbs Table

Irregular Verbs Exercise 1

Let’s practice with a comprehensive exercise. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the irregular verb provided in parentheses.

1. The children _______ (swim) in the lake last summer.
2. She has _______ (write) three novels so far.
3. They _______ (speak) to the manager yesterday.
4. He has _______ (take) the exam twice.
5. We _______ (see) that movie last week.
6. The chef _______ (make) a delicious cake for the party.
7. The leaves have _______ (fall) from the trees.
8. I _______ (go) to Paris last year.
9. She has never _______ (fly) in an airplane before.
10. They _______ (come) to visit us last Christmas.

Answers to Exercise 1

1. swam
2. written
3. spoke
4. taken
5. saw
6. made
7. fallen
8. went
9. flown
10. came

Irregular Verbs Exercise 2

Match the base form with its correct past and past participle forms.

Answers to Exercise 2

Present Tense Irregular Verbs

While most irregular verb discussions focus on past forms, some verbs also have irregular forms in the present tense, particularly in the third person singular.

Common Present Tense Irregularities

Present Tense Exercise

Fill in the blanks with the correct present tense form of the irregular verb.

1. She _______ (have) two brothers.
2. He _______ (go) to the gym every day.
3. They _______ (be) very friendly.
4. The dog _______ (do) tricks for treats.
5. I _______ (be) excited about the trip.

Answers: 1. has, 2. goes, 3. are, 4. does, 5. am

Challenging Irregular Verbs Exercise

For more advanced learners, try this exercise with less common irregular verbs.

Complete the sentences with the correct form of these challenging irregular verbs:

1. The fabric _______ (shrink) after I washed it.
2. The singer _______ (strive) for perfection in every performance.
3. The ancient text _______ (bear) witness to historical events.
4. The defendant _______ (plead) not guilty to all charges.
5. The rope _______ (wind) around the pole.
6. She _______ (weave) a beautiful tapestry by hand.
7. The milk _______ (spoil) because it was left out overnight.
8. The storm _______ (arise) suddenly from the east.

Answers to Challenging Exercise

1. shrank/shrunk
2. strove/strived
3. bore
4. pleaded/pled
5. wound
6. wove
7. spoiled/spoilt
8. arose

Tips for Learning Irregular Verbs

Group Similar Patterns

Many irregular verbs follow similar patterns. Learning them in groups can help:
– sing/sang/sung, ring/rang/rung, swim/swam/swum
– catch/caught, teach/taught, buy/bought
– feel/felt, keep/kept, sleep/slept

Use Mnemonic Devices

Create memorable phrases or stories that incorporate the three forms of difficult irregular verbs:
– “I drink, I drank, I have drunk” can be remembered as “I drink water today, I drank coffee yesterday, I have drunk milk since childhood.”

Practice Regularly

Consistent practice is key to mastering irregular verbs. Set aside time each day to work on a few verbs until they become second nature. Many online resources offer downloadable exercises and interactive quizzes to help you practice.

Resources for Further Practice

For additional practice, consider these resources:

1. Downloadable PDF exercises with answer keys
2. Online interactive quizzes that provide immediate feedback
3. Conjugation apps that allow you to practice on the go
4. Flashcards with the three forms of each irregular verb
5. Grammar textbooks with comprehensive irregular verb sections

Conclusion

Mastering irregular verbs takes time and consistent practice. The exercises provided here offer a starting point for developing your skills with these challenging but essential components of English grammar. Remember that even native speakers occasionally make mistakes with irregular verbs, so be patient with yourself as you learn.

Regular practice with varied exercises helps build muscle memory for these unpredictable verb forms. Whether you’re a beginner just starting to learn irregular verbs or an advanced learner refining your knowledge, consistent practice is the key to success.