What Are Irregular Verbs in English?

English verbs have different forms depending on the tense. Most verbs are ‘regular’ and follow a simple rule.

• For regular verbs, you add -ed to the base form to create both the past simple and the past participle. For example, walk becomes walked.

However, a significant number of verbs are ‘irregular’. These verbs do not follow the -ed rule.

• Irregular verbs change their form in unpredictable ways for the past simple and past participle. You need to learn these forms by heart.

Why Are Irregular Verbs Important for B2 English?

At the B2 level, especially for the B2 First (FCE) exam, a strong command of irregular verbs is essential.

• FCE Exam Success: You will encounter irregular verbs in all parts of the exam: reading, listening, writing, and speaking. Correct usage shows a higher level of grammatical control.
• Natural Communication: English speakers use irregular verbs constantly. Knowing them helps you understand others and express yourself more naturally and accurately.
• Complex Tenses: Many advanced grammatical structures, like the present perfect (I have eaten), past perfect (She had gone), and passive voice (The window was broken), rely on the correct past participle forms of irregular verbs.

Past Simple vs. Past Participle: What's the Difference?

It's important to know when to use each form of an irregular verb.

Past Simple Form

The past simple form describes a completed action that happened at a specific time in the past.

• It is used as the main verb in simple past sentences.
• Example: I saw him yesterday. (The action of seeing is finished and happened at a specific past time.)

Past Participle Form

The past participle form is used in combination with auxiliary verbs to create more complex tenses and structures.

• Perfect Tenses: Used with have/has (present perfect) or had (past perfect). Example: I have seen that movie many times.
• Passive Voice: Used with a form of be. Example: The letter was written by hand.
• As Adjectives: Sometimes, the past participle can function as an adjective. Example: The broken vase.

How Can I Learn Irregular Verbs Effectively?

Learning irregular verbs takes practice, but these strategies can help.

• Group by Pattern: Some irregular verbs have similar changes. For example, sing, sang, sung and drink, drank, drunk follow a pattern.
• Flashcards: Write the infinitive on one side and the past simple and past participle on the other.
• Read and Listen: Pay attention to irregular verbs when you read English books or listen to podcasts and movies. Notice how they are used in context.
• Practice Sentences: Create your own sentences using each form of the verb. This helps you remember their usage.
• Focus on Common Verbs First: Start with the most frequently used irregular verbs, as they will be the most useful.

Examples

• She ran a marathon last year.
• They had known each other for years before they met.
• The old house was bought by a young couple.
• I kept my promise, even though it was difficult.
• Have you ever driven a sports car?
• He burst into laughter when he heard the joke.

Practice

Common mistakes for Spanish speakers

Spanish speakers often make specific mistakes with irregular verbs:

• Adding -ed to irregular verbs: This is the most common error. Remember, irregular verbs have their own unique forms.
  INCORRECT: I goed to the party.
  CORRECT: I went to the party.
• Confusing past simple and past participle: Using the wrong form, especially in perfect tenses or the passive voice.
  INCORRECT: She has saw the film.
  CORRECT: She has seen the film.
• Using the infinitive instead of the past participle in perfect tenses:
  INCORRECT: They have eat dinner.
  CORRECT: They have eaten dinner.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a regular and an irregular verb?

Regular verbs form their past simple and past participle by adding -ed to the base form (e.g., play, played, played). Irregular verbs change their form in different, unpredictable ways (e.g., eat, ate, eaten).

How many irregular verbs are there in English?

There are over 200 irregular verbs in English, but only about 100-150 are commonly used. For B2 level, focusing on the most frequent ones is key.

Do I need to know all irregular verbs for the B2 First (FCE) exam?

You don't need to know every single one, but you must have a strong command of the most common irregular verbs. They appear frequently in all sections of the FCE exam, especially in the Use of English, Listening, and Speaking papers. Mastering them will significantly improve your score.

Can irregular verbs also be used as adjectives?

Yes, the past participle form of many irregular verbs can function as an adjective. For example, broken (from break) in a broken cup, or hidden (from hide) in a hidden treasure.