TOP 50 most basic English irregular verbs (+ quick memorization)

What Are Irregular Verbs?

In English grammar, irregular verbs are those that don’t conform to a specific pattern. When conjugating these verbs, the standard “ED” ending isn’t applied to the infinitive form. Instead, each irregular verb undergoes unique conjugation, making memorization the key to mastering them.

While there are over 600 irregular verbs in English, only around 200 are commonly used. To facilitate learning, people often categorize these verbs and commit them to memory based on their frequency of use.

List of the 50 Most Common English Irregular Verbs

Memorizing over 600 irregular verbs can be a daunting task. To make this more manageable, it’s advisable to divide them into categories based on their level of usage. Below is a table featuring the 50 most frequently used irregular verbs in English that you should include in your daily vocabulary:

Download 50 English Irregular Verbs PDF

You can download the PDF containing 50 English irregular verbs by clicking the link below:

Download 50 English Irregular Verbs PDF

How to Learn 50 English Irregular Verbs

Learning and remembering 50 common irregular verbs in English can be accomplished through various effective methods. Below are some super easy and efficient ways to master these verbs:

1. Memorize Pronunciations: Begin by memorizing the pronunciation of each word. Write down the pronunciation just below the root verb and its inflections. Once you’re familiar with the pronunciation of one form, it becomes easier to recall it for other variants.
2. Create Sentences: Another useful technique is to construct your own sentences using irregular verbs. These verbs are commonly used in past simple, present perfect, and past perfect tenses. To create sentences:
   • Understand the meaning of each verb.
   • Think of a context in the past or present perfect tense.
   • Formulate simple and accurate sentences using the verb.

Here are some sample sentences you can use as examples:

• I spent two hours cooking dinner for my boyfriend.
• I ate the rice stick, I ate the ice cream, but I’ve never eaten rice stick ice cream.
• Today I sat in the first row of the lecture hall. I sat in the second row yesterday, but I’ve never sat in the last row.

Memorize Irregular Verbs Through Songs

Learning English, especially irregular verbs, through songs is one of the most effective methods. It enhances memory retention, helps develop long-lasting memories, and keeps learning enjoyable.

You can easily find songs dedicated to irregular verbs on the internet and make listening to them a daily practice. Consider reading or singing along with the songs to expedite your learning process!

Learn Irregular Verbs Using Mobile Apps

In today’s digital age, there is a plethora of English learning applications available on mobile devices, making at-home learning accessible and convenient. Signing up for these apps is a straightforward process, and you can effectively learn irregular verbs through them.

These apps offer user-friendly interfaces, enabling learning anytime and anywhere, and they make the learning process far from boring compared to traditional textbook methods.

You have a wide selection of apps to choose from; simply search for “irregular verbs” on Google Play Store or the App Store, and you’ll discover some of the most popular and highly-rated options.

Some Exercises with Irregular Verbs

To reinforce your knowledge of irregular verbs, let’s engage in some conjugation exercises with We below.

Exercise 1: Conjugate the verbs into the past simple form.

1. I (see)….. his cat last week.

2. We (speak)…. Japanese with the tourists yesterday.

3. They (sing)…. a famous song on my birthday party last Monday.

4. He (meet)…. his wife in a concert three years ago.

5. Jack (drink)… a lot last night so he (sleep)….at his friend’s house.

6. My brother (break)……. my laptop yesterday.

7. In the accident two years ago, I (think)…. I could not live.

8. Here’s your book- I (take)…..it by mistake.

9. A little girl (run)….up to me, crying for her daddy.

10. The children (sell)….. lemonade to support people with disabilities last year.

11. Jessie (say) ……goodbye to all her friends and left.

12. The birds (build)…….. their nest in the tree.

13. I (pay)……….. the driver in cash.

14. They (laugh)…….at my jokes.

15. He (sleep)….. late on Sunday morning.

Form 2: Conjugate the verbs into the second participle form

1. I’ve already (have)….dinner.

2. He has never (drive)…. a car before.

3. Has your daughter (choose)….her university yet?

4. I’d (lend)….my salary to Linda, so I had to sting.

5. Why have they (leave)…..already?

6. Have you ever (hear)…. about the past of new employee?

7. She (work)…… as a cleaner at the hospital since 2015.

8. We’ve just (spend)…….. $1.7 million on improving our computer network.

9. He’s (bring)……. us so much happiness over the years.

10. I have (learn)…..a lot about computers since I started work here.

11. Where have they (put)….. the keys?

12. We have (know)……each other for about four years.

13. The tree was (cut)……down.

14. I have never (eat)……. such a delicious meal like that before.

15. They’ve (send)…… their children away to boarding school.

Form 3: Provide the correct form of the verb in the sentence

1. I (swim)…. 500m in my third swim lesson yesterday.

2. We have (write)…. five articles this week.

3. Have you ever (be)… in Paris yet?

4. Mary (win)…. a scholarship to go abroad last week.

5. She has (lose)….. her key again.

6. Amy’s alarm clock (ring)…… for half an hour before she woke.

7. She thought we’d been picking her apples and (come)…… after us with a stick.

8. Susan (eat)….. a hamburger for lunch.

9. Last night, I (dream)…….. that I was having a baby.

10. The victim was (hit)……by a hammer.

11. It (cost)…….my parents too much when building our house six months ago.

12. He’s (grow)…….. four centimeters this year.

13. I’ve (read)…… in the newspapers that there is a threat of an earthquake.

14. Mia told me not to ask any questions, just to do as she (do)…….

15. I (go)…… to Bali last summer. Have you ever been there?

Instructions for Homework:

For exercises 1 and 2, simply refer to columns V2 and V3 in the irregular verbs table to find the answers. For exercise 3, carefully determine the tense of each sentence and then choose whether to conjugate the verb in the present, past, or past participle form.

Here are the top 50 basic irregular verbs in English and a super easy way to memorize them. Goodheathplan.com hopes that with these suggestions, memorizing the irregular verb table will no longer pose a challenge for you in this subject. Best of luck!