The past simple of irregular verbs: How and When to Use in English
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The past simple of irregular verbs
Reminder: the past simple describes completed past events. For regular verbs, add -ed to the infinitive (without to).
to start → I started a guitar course last month.
Some verbs are irregular and have an unusual form in the past simple. We use the same form for all subjects. Some common irregular verbs are:
| Infinitive | Past Simple |
|---|---|
| to come | came |
| to do | did |
| to give | gave |
| to get | got |
| Infinitive | Past Simple |
|---|---|
| to go | went |
| to make | made |
| to say | said |
| to take | took |
I went to New York last summer.
They took the train to Kent.
She gave me a beautiful present.
Notes:
- The verbs to be and to have are also irregular. We will focus on them in separate lessons.
I was in Dover last month.
We had a great time in Newcastle.
- There are over 200 irregular verbs in English, but don't worry! Focus on the most common ones now, and you'll learn more later.
Complete the sentences with the correct form of the past simple for each verb.
to give → I Timmy my phone number.
to do → You the right thing.
to go → Yesterday they to the shopping mall.
Complete the sentences with the correct form of the past simple for each verb.
to give → I gave 1 Timmy my phone number.
to do → You did 2 the right thing.
to go → Yesterday they went 3 to the shopping mall.
to give → I gave Timmy my phone number. Example: the guest gave his passport to Magda.
A gift is a nice thing to receive, but it is not the right answer here. Example: I want a nice gift for my birthday.
Gives is the present simple of the verb to give for subjects like he/she/it, not the past simple. Example: my friend gives me good advice.
to do → You did the right thing. Example: we did everything we had planned.
A day is a period of 24 hours, not the past simple of the verb to do. Example: I am going to the beach for two days.
You could say she does the right thing in the present simple, but here we asked for the past simple.
to go → Yesterday they went to the shopping mall. Example: Roger went to the park last week.
Wanted is the regular past simple of the verb to want, not of to go. Example: we wanted to meet you for dinner.
Good is the opposite of bad, not the past simple of to go. Example: have a good day!
Write the past simple of the irregular verbs in brackets. Pro tip: press the “Help me” button if necessary!
I ready in 5 minutes.
You the train yesterday.
Anna hello.
I got ready in 5 minutes.
You took the train yesterday.
Anna said hello.
Write the past simple of the irregular verbs in brackets. Pro tip: press the “Help me” button if necessary!
I [not done] got 1 ready in 5 minutes.
You [not done] took 2 the train yesterday.
Anna [not done] said 3 hello.
I got ready in 5 minutes. Example: she got a new phone from her brother.
You took the train yesterday. Example: you took my heart away!
Anna said hello. Example: that's what she said.
Fill the blanks with the missing letters to write the past simple form of each irregular verb. Feeling confused? Press the “Help me” button!
to come → We to your birthday party last year.
to make → Magda a mistake with the bookings.
to go → Last month Timmy to Argentina.
to come → We to your birthday party last year.
to make → Magda a mistake with the bookings.
to go → Last month Timmy to Argentina.
Fill the blanks with the missing letters to write the past simple form of each irregular verb. Feeling confused? Press the “Help me” button!
to come → We 1 to your birthday party last year.
to make → Magda 2 a mistake with the bookings.
to go → Last month Timmy 3 to Argentina.
to come → We came to your birthday party last year. Note: the verb become has a similar irregular form in the past simple: became. Example: she came to visit me with her mother.
to make → Magda made a mistake with the bookings. Example: they made the story up.
to go → Last month Timmy went to Argentina. Example: I went to the train station in the morning.
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