A Guide to English Irregular Verbs for ESL Learners: Using English Irregular Verbs Correctly Every Time

Chapter 1: Irregular verbs beginning with the letters A, B, and C

IN THIS AND FOLLOWING sections you will learn how to correctly use irregular English verbs in sentences. 

You will have a chance to learn many things about irregular English verbs in this lesson.  First, you will see the three important forms for the verb:  base form (just the verb itself without conjugation), the simple past form, and the past participle form.

You will then see some common definitions for the verb,with many examples of use.

After you read the definitions, there are examples of how the verb is used in different tenses: one example for the simple present, one example for the simple past, and one example using the past participle (usually in the present perfect tense).

Irregular verbs beginning with the letters A, B, and C

Idea Note:  most of the past participle examples are demonstrated in the present perfect tense which is made up of the helper verb have or has plus the irregular verb in the past participle form.

Irregular verbs beginning with A

ARISE (BASE), AROSE (simple past), arisen (past participle):

Some common meanings:  1.  To wake up; 2.  To ascend or go up

Examples:

- (Simple Present)  Anthony arises every morning and has coffee.

- (Simple Past)  Anthony arose yesterday and had a bowl of cereal.

- (Past Participle)  Anthony has arisen and has had a bowl of cereal.

Now you try:  (Simple Past) My sister ________ this morning and brushed her teeth.

AWAKE (BASE), AWOKE (simple past), awoken (past participle):

Some common meanings:  1.  To rouse from sleep; 2.  To become aware of something.

Examples:

- (Simple Present)  Sandra awakes to the sound of her alarm clock every morning at 7 o’clock.

- (Simple Past)  Sandra awoke very early in the morning yesterday.

- (Past Participle)  Sandra has awoken and has had her breakfast.

Idea Note:  The verb awaken, which is a regular verb, can be used in the exact same way as awake.  In some English-speaking areas, it is much more common to use the word awaken.  For example, it would be more common to say:  Sandra awakens to the sound of her alarm clock every morning.

Now you try:  (Past Participle, Present Perfect) Jim ___ _________ and has already taken a shower.

IRREGULAR VERBS BEGINNING with B

Be (base), was/were (simple past), been (past participle):

Some common meanings:  1. To exist; 2.  To occupy a specific place; 3 To take place (and many more meanings).

Examples:

- (Simple Present)  I am in the city every day except for Saturday and Sunday.

- (Simple Past)  I was in Italy last year.  We were in France last September.

- (Past Participle)  I have been in Tokyo, Japan.

Now you try:  (Simple Present) She ___ in the building every day except for Sunday.

BEAT (BASE), BEAT (simple past), beaten (past participle):

Some common meanings:  1.  To strike repeatedly, to pound, to flap; 2.  To prevail over another, as in a competition; 3 To arrive or finish before another (and other meanings).

Examples:

- (Simple Present)  I beat my friend to work every morning.  We leave our homes at the same time, but he drives more slowly.

- (Simple Past)  Our team beat the other team last year.  I hope they don’t beat us this year.

- (Past Participle)  We have beaten that team for two years now.

Now you try:  (Simple Past) Our team _______ their team last year.

BECOME (BASE), BECAME (simple past), become (past participle):

Some common meanings:  1.  To change into, transform into, or grow into over time (and other meanings)

Examples:

- (Simple Present)  Alice becomes nervous when she walks through the city at night.

- (Simple Past)  Last year Kyoko became the first female police officer to win the special award for bravery.

- (Past Participle)  Over the past three years, our school basketball team has become a strong team.

Now you try:  (past participle, present perfect) Over the past two years, I ___ _________ a better student.

BEGIN (BASE), BEGAN (simple past), begun (past participle):

Some common meanings:  1.  To start or commence; to take the first step in doing something (and other meanings)

Examples:

- (Simple Present)  The class always begins at 8 o’clock in the morning.

- (Simple Past)  Stefan began his English studies last month.

- (Past Participle)  You are late.  We have already begun working on our group project.

Now you try:  (simple past) Kaori _________ her English training two years