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45 English Irregular Verbs You Should Know in English
Did you know one of the best ways to memorize irregular verbs is to categorize them into one group? You can group them into the categories such as “verbs remaining the same in the present, past and past participle,” like cost and set or “verbs ending in ‘-en’ in the past participle,” like spoken and broken.
Before reading this, did you read the first blog post titled “40 English Irregular Verbs You Should Certainly Know in English?” If you did not, please make sure to read this post first.
It is a fact that irregular verb conjugations for foreign language learners are one of the most difficult steps on their language learning journey. This is because irregular verbs do not follow any rules as regular verbs do, which end in -ed. That makes irregular verbs hard to remember.
If you want to make your language learning process much easier, we can help you! Here at ReDefiners World Languages, we offer Arabic, Spanish, English, and Mandarin classes for students from all levels. You can click here for more information.
The most common English verbs are gathered in this blog post and the previous one. Let’s learn the rest of these irregular verbs!
Bear in mind that same forms of the verb conjugations (such as leave-left-left) can be used with different tenses or can be used differently in a grammatical way. There is only one example sentence given for the same forms of the verb conjugation in this post. If you want to see more example sentences of the irregular verb you can visit the website of monolingual dictionaries or use SkELL.
Also, remember that some verbs can have more than one meaning or be used as a different part of speech. In this post, you will see the first and general meaning of words, so you may want to consult a dictionary for the other meanings and parts of speech.
1. learn
Level: A1
Meaning: to gain knowledge or skill by studying, from experience, from being taught, etc.
Conjugation: learn (infinitive) – learned/learnt (past simple) – learned/learnt (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: Most people learn to read as children.
Example sentence for the simple past form: Today we learnt how to use the new software.
Example sentence for the past participle form: It has been learned that 500 jobs are to be lost at the factory.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: learn, learned, learnt
2. leave
Level: A1
Meaning: to go away from a person or a place
Conjugation: leave (infinitive) – left (past simple) – left (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: The plane leaves Heathrow at 12.35.
Example sentence for the simple past & past participle forms: She left without saying goodbye.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: leave, left
3. let
Level: A1
Meaning: used for making suggestions or as a polite way of telling people what you want them to do
Conjugation: let (infinitive) – let (past simple) – let (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive, simple past & past participle forms: Let's go to the beach.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb: let
4. lie
Level: A1
Meaning: to be or put yourself in a flat position so that you are not standing or sitting
Conjugation: lie (infinitive) – lay (past simple) – lain (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: Lie there for a bit until you feel better.
Example sentence for the simple past form: She lay in bed listening to music.
Example sentence for the past participle form: He has just lain there smiling.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: lie, lay, lain
5. lose
Level: A1
Meaning: to be unable to find something or somebody
Conjugation: lose (infinitive) – lost (past simple) – lost (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: Here, tie it round your neck so you don't lose it.
Example sentence for the simple past & past participle forms: She lost her husband in the crowd.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: lose, lost
6. make
Level: A1
Meaning: to create or prepare something by combining materials or putting parts together
Conjugation: make (infinitive) – made (past simple) – made (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: She makes her own clothes.
Example sentence for the simple past & past participle forms: What's your shirt made of?
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: make, made
7. mean
Level: A1
Meaning: to have something as a meaning in the same or another language
Conjugation: mean (infinitive) – meant (past simple) – meant (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: What does this sentence mean?
Example sentence for the simple past & past participle forms: What is meant by ‘batch processing’?
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: mean, meant
8. meet
Level: A1
Meaning: to be in the same place as somebody by chance and talk to them
Conjugation: meet (infinitive) – met (past simple) – met (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: Maybe we'll meet again some time.
Example sentence for the simple past & past participle forms: I've never met anyone like her.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: meet, met
9. pay
Level: A1
Meaning: to give somebody money for work, goods, services, etc.
Conjugation: pay (infinitive) – paid (past simple) – paid (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: I pay him £10 to clean the car
Example sentence for the simple past & past participle forms: Her parents paid for her to go to Canada
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: pay, paid
10. put
Level: A1
Meaning: to move something into a particular place or position
Conjugation: put (infinitive) – put (past simple) – put (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive, simple past & past participle forms: Put the cases down there, please.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb: put
11. quit
Level: B1
Meaning: to stop doing something or leave somewhere
Conjugation: quit (infinitive) – quit/quitted (past simple) – quit/quitted (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: If I don't get more money I'll quit.
Example sentence for the simple past & past participle forms: She finally quit/quitted working at age 76.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb: quit, quitted
12. read
Level: A1
Meaning: to look at and understand the meaning of written or printed words or symbols
Conjugation: read (infinitive) – read (past simple) – read (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive, simple past & past participle forms: Some children can read and write before they go to school.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb: read
13. ring
Level: A2
Meaning:to phone somebody or something
Conjugation: ring (infinitive) – rang (past simple) – rung (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: I'll ring you up later.
Example sentence for the simple past form: David rang up while you were out.
Example sentence for the past participle form: I’ve rung about your advertisement in the paper.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: ring, rang, rung
14. rise
Level: A2
Meaning: to come or go upwards; to reach a higher level or position
Conjugation: rise (infinitive) – rose (past simple) – risen (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: Smoke rises from the chimney.
Example sentence for the simple past form: The curtain rose to reveal an empty stage.
Example sentence for the past participle form: The river has risen by several meters.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: rise, rose, risen
15. run
Level: A1
Meaning: to move using your legs, going faster than when you walk
Conjugation: run (infinitive) – ran (past simple) – run (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive & past participle forms: Can you run as fast as Mike?
Example sentence for the simple past form: They turned and ran when they saw us coming.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: run, ran
16. say
Level: A1
Meaning: to speak or tell somebody something, using words
Conjugation: say (infinitive) – said (past simple) – said (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: "Why can't I go out now?" "Because I say so."
Example sentence for the simple past & past participle forms: "Hello!" she said.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: say, said
17. see
Level: A1
Meaning: to become aware of somebody or something by using your eyes
Conjugation: see (infinitive) – saw (past simple) – seen (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: She looked for him but couldn't see him in the crowd.
Example sentence for the simple past form: I looked out of the window but saw nothing.
Example sentence for the past participle form: I've never seen anything like this!
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: see, saw, seen
18. sell
Level: A1
Meaning: to give something to somebody in exchange for money
Conjugation: sell (infinitive) – sold (past simple) – sold (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: We offered them a good price but they wouldn't sell.
Example sentence for the simple past & past participle forms: I recently sold my bike.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: sell, sold
19. send
Level: A1
Meaning: to make something go or be taken to a place, especially by post, email, radio, etc.
Conjugation: send (infinitive) – sent (past simple) – sent (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: Let me just send this email.
Example sentence for the simple past & past participle forms: She sent a letter of support.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: send, sent
20. set
Level: B1
Meaning: to prepare or arrange something so that it is ready for use or in position
Conjugation: set (infinitive) – set (past simple) – set (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive, simple past & past participle forms: Have you set the alarm clock?
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb: set
21. shoot
Level: B1
Meaning: to fire a gun or other weapon; to fire something from a weapon
Conjugation: shoot (infinitive) – shot (past simple) – shot (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: Don't shoot—I surrender.
Example sentence for the simple past & past participle forms: Have you ever shot a gun before?
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: shoot, shot
22. sing
Level: A1
Meaning: to make musical sounds with your voice in the form of a song or tune
Conjugation: sing (infinitive) – sang (past simple) – sung (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: I just can't sing in tune!
Example sentence for the simple past form: The chorus sang beautifully.
Example sentence for the past participle form: The role is traditionally sung by a tenor.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: sing, sang, sung
23. sit
Level: A1
Meaning: to rest your weight on your bottom with your back straight, for example on or in a chair
Conjugation: sit (infinitive) – sat (past simple) – sat (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: Don't just sit there—do something!
Example sentence for the simple past & past participle forms: She sat and stared at the letter in front of her.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: sit, sat
24. sleep
Level: A1
Meaning: to rest with your eyes closed and your mind and body not active
Conjugation: sleep (infinitive) – slept (past simple) – slept (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: Let her sleep—it'll do her good.
Example sentence for the simple past & past participle forms: He slept solidly for ten hours.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: sleep, slept
25. slide
Level: B2
Meaning: to move easily over a smooth or wet surface; to make something move in this way
Conjugation: slide (infinitive) – slid (past simple) – slid (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: As I turned left on a bend, my car started to slide.
Example sentence for the simple past & past participle forms: We slid down the grassy slope.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: slide, slid
26. smell
Level: A2
Meaning: linking verb, to have a particular smell
Conjugation: smell (infinitive) – smelt (past simple) – smelt (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: Dinner smells good.
Example sentence for the simple past & past participle forms: The room smelt damp.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: smell, smelt
27. speak
Level: A1
Meaning: to talk to somebody about something; to have a conversation with somebody
Conjugation: speak (infinitive) – spoke (past simple) – spoken (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: Can I speak with you for a minute?
Example sentence for the simple past form: We never spoke about her illness.
Example sentence for the past participle form: I've spoken to the manager about it.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: speak, spoke, spoken
Sourced from: https://theeverygirl.com/
28. spend
Level: A1
Meaning: to give money to pay for goods, services, etc.
Conjugation: spend (infinitive) – spent (past simple) – spent (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: The government spends more on sport than on the arts.
Example sentence for the simple past & past participle forms: I've spent all my money already.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: spend, spent
29. spread
Level: B1
Meaning: to affect or make something affect, be known by, or be used by more and more people
Conjugation: spread (infinitive) – spread (past simple) – spread (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive, simple past & past participle forms: The news had spread and was causing great excitement.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb: spread
30. stand
Level: A1
Meaning: to be on your feet; to be in a vertical position
Conjugation: stand (infinitive) – stood (past simple) – stood (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: Don't just stand there—do something!
Example sentence for the simple past & past participle forms: We all stood around in the corridor waiting.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: stand, stood
31. stick
Level: B1
Meaning: to fix something to something else, usually with a sticky substance; to become fixed to something in this way
Conjugation: stick (infinitive) – stuck (past simple) – stuck (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: The glue's useless—the pieces just won't stick.
Example sentence for the simple past & past participle forms: He stuck a stamp on the envelope.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: stick, stuck
32. stink
Level: informal, so no specific level
Meaning: to have a strong, unpleasant smell
Conjugation: stink (infinitive) – stank (past simple) – stunk (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: It stinks of smoke in here.
Example sentence for the simple past form: Her breath stank of garlic.
Example sentence for the past participle form: This place has stunk like this for almost two years.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: stink, stank, stunk
33. swear
Level: B2
Meaning: to use rude or offensive language, usually because you are angry
Conjugation: swear (infinitive) – swore (past simple) – sworn (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: He heard her swear under her breath.
Example sentence for the simple past form: She fell over and swore loudly.
Example sentence for the past participle form: The police has sworn towards teenagers while arresting them.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: swear, swore, sworn
34. sweat
Level: B2
Meaning: to pass sweat through the skin because you are hot, ill, or frightened
Conjugation: sweat (infinitive) – sweat/sweated (past simple) – sweat/sweated (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: It was so hot when we arrived in Tripoli that we started to sweat as soon as we got off the plane.
Example sentence for the simple past & past participle forms: I sweat/sweated a lot while playing in the match yesterday.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: sweat, sweated
35. swim
Level: A1
Meaning:(of a person or animal) to move through water by moving your arms and legs, without touching the bottom
Conjugation: swim (infinitive) – swam (past simple) – swum (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: I can't swim.
Example sentence for the simple past form: The boys swam across the lake.
Example sentence for the past participle form: I have swum and participated in lots of competitions since 2006.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: swim, swam, swum
36. take
Level: A1
Meaning: to carry or move something from one place to another
Conjugation: take (infinitive) – took (past simple) – taken (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: Remember to take your coat when you leave.
Example sentence for the simple past form: She took her bags along with her.
Example sentence for the past participle form: My things had already been taken to my room.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: take, took, taken
37. teach
Level: A1
Meaning: to give lessons to students in a school, college, university, etc.; to help somebody learn something by giving information about it
Conjugation: teach (infinitive) – taught (past simple) – taught (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: She teaches at our local school.
Example sentence for the simple past & past participle forms: He taught for several years before becoming a writer.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: teach, taught
38. tear
Level: B2
Meaning: to damage something by pulling it apart or into pieces or by cutting it on something sharp; to become damaged in this way
Conjugation: tear (infinitive) – tore (past simple) – torn (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: Careful—the fabric tears very easily.
Example sentence for the simple past form: I tore my jeans on the fence.
Example sentence for the past participle form: The letter had been torn to shreds.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: tear, tore, torn
39. think
Level: A1
Meaning: to have a particular idea or opinion about something or somebody; to believe something
Conjugation: think (infinitive) – thought (past simple) – thought (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: Do you really think (that) he'll win?
Example sentence for the simple past & past participle forms:I thought I heard a scream.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: think, thought
40. throw
Level: A2
Meaning: to send something from your hand through the air by moving your hand or arm quickly
Conjugation: throw (infinitive) – threw (past simple) – thrown (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: They had a competition to see who could throw the furthest.
Example sentence for the simple past form: Who threw that rock?
Example sentence for the past participle form: Two petrol bombs had been thrown through the front window.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: throw, threw, thrown
41. understand
Level: A1
Meaning: to know or realize the meaning of words, a language, what somebody says, etc.
Conjugation: understand (infinitive) – understood (past simple) – understood (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: Do you understand the instructions?
Example sentence for the simple past & past participle forms:I finally understood what she meant.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: understand, understood
42. wake
Level: A1
Meaning: to stop sleeping; to make somebody stop sleeping
Conjugation: wake (infinitive) – woke (past simple) – waken (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: I always wake early in the summer.
Example sentence for the simple past form: Tom woke with a start and lifted his head.
Example sentence for the past participle form: She had just woken from a deep sleep.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: wake, woke, waken
43. wear
Level: A1
Meaning:wear something to have something on your body as a piece of clothing, a decoration, etc.
Conjugation: wear (infinitive) – wore (past simple) – worn (past participle)
Example sentence for the infinitive form: She never wears make-up.
Example sentence for the simple past form: He wore his raincoat all day, even though it was sunny.
Example sentence for the past participle form: My coats have worn out, I think I need a new one.
For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: wear, wore, worn
Sourced from: https://www.zimbio.com/photos
44. win Level: A1 Meaning: to be the most successful in a competition, race, battle, etc. Conjugation: win (infinitive) – won (past simple) – won (past participle) Example sentence for the infinitive form: He has yet to win a major tournament. Example sentence for the simple past & past participle forms: Which team won? For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: win, won 45. write Level: A1 Meaning: to make letters or numbers on a surface, especially using a pen or a pencil Conjugation: write (infinitive) – wrote (past simple) – written (past participle) Example sentence for the infinitive form: In some countries children don't start learning to read and write until they are six. Example sentence for the simple past form: The teacher wrote the answers on the board. Example sentence for the past participle form: The ‘b’ had been wrongly written as a ‘d’. For pronunciation practice, please click on the verb you want to hear: write, wrote, written If you want to reinforce your knowledge, here are some useful links: 1- Irregular verbs in one song 2- Irregular verbs rap song 3- Irregular verbs the cat song 4- Irregular verbs list If you want more useful tips that will help you become fluent while learning English, we can help you with that! Consider participating in our classes. Here at ReDefiners World Languages, we offer Arabic, Spanish, English, and Mandarin classes for students from all levels. You can click here for more information.