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.