Common Irregular Verbs to Know for English Grammar and Usage

Common irregular verbs are essential in English grammar, as they don't follow standard conjugation rules. Understanding their unique forms helps convey actions, states, and relationships clearly, making communication more effective and precise in everyday language.

1. Be (am, is, are, was, were, been)

   • Used to indicate existence or identity.
   • Functions as a linking verb connecting the subject to a subject complement.
   • Irregular forms change based on tense and subject.

2. Do (did, done)

   • Serves as an auxiliary verb to form questions and negatives.
   • Used to emphasize actions in affirmative sentences.
   • Irregular forms vary with tense.

3. Go (went, gone)

   • Indicates movement from one place to another.
   • Used in various expressions and idiomatic phrases.
   • Irregular forms change with tense.

4. Have (had)

   • Indicates possession or ownership.
   • Functions as an auxiliary verb in perfect tenses.
   • Irregular form remains the same in past tense.

5. Say (said)

   • Used to express verbal communication.
   • Commonly used in reported speech.
   • Irregular form does not follow standard conjugation rules.

6. See (saw, seen)

   • Refers to the act of perceiving with the eyes.
   • Can also imply understanding or realization.
   • Irregular forms change with tense.

7. Come (came, come)

   • Indicates movement toward the speaker or a specific place.
   • Often used in phrasal verbs and idiomatic expressions.
   • Irregular forms vary with tense.

8. Know (knew, known)

   • Refers to awareness or familiarity with information or people.
   • Can imply understanding or recognition.
   • Irregular forms change with tense.

9. Get (got, gotten)

   • Indicates obtaining or receiving something.
   • Used in various idiomatic expressions.
   • Irregular forms vary with tense, with "gotten" primarily used in American English.

10. Make (made)

    • Refers to the act of creating or constructing.
    • Commonly used in idiomatic expressions.
    • Irregular form remains the same in past tense.

11. Think (thought)

    • Indicates the process of considering or reasoning.
    • Used in various expressions related to opinion and belief.
    • Irregular form remains the same in past tense.

12. Take (took, taken)

    • Refers to the act of grasping or receiving.
    • Used in various idiomatic expressions.
    • Irregular forms change with tense.

13. Give (gave, given)

    • Indicates the act of transferring possession.
    • Commonly used in expressions of generosity or offering.
    • Irregular forms change with tense.

14. Find (found)

    • Refers to the act of discovering or locating something.
    • Can imply realization or understanding.
    • Irregular form remains the same in past tense.

15. Become (became, become)

    • Indicates a change in state or condition.
    • Often used to describe transformation or development.
    • Irregular forms change with tense.