Mastering Verbs and Tenses in English
Verbs are crucial words in English. They show actions, like running, jumping, or eating, or tell us what something is, like “The sky is blue.” Verbs help us understand what happens in a sentence and when it happens – in the past, present, or future.
There are 12 tenses in English, and each one shows when an action happens. By using the right tense, you can talk about things that happened before, things happening now, or things that will happen later.
This guide will help you learn about the most common verbs and tenses. We’ll explain how to use regular verbs (which are easy to change) and irregular verbs (which are a little tricky). Plus, you’ll see lots of examples to help you understand how to use them correctly.
What Are Verbs?
A verb is a word that expresses an action or a state of being. When it shows action, a verb tells us what someone or something does or what is done to them.
Examples:
He wrote the letter. (Active Voice)
The letter was written by him. (Passive Voice)
Types of Main Verbs
Verbs are mainly divided into two types:
Regular Verbs
Irregular Verbs
1. Regular Verbs
Regular verbs form their past and past participle forms by adding -d or -ed to the base form.
Examples of Regular Verbs:
Key Tip:
Most regular verbs follow this consistent rule, making them easier to learn and use. Just add -ed to form the past!
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2. Irregular Verbs
Irregular verbs do not follow the typical -ed rule for past forms. They often have unique spellings.
Examples of Irregular Verbs:
Weak Verbs (Same Form in All Tenses)
These are also known as unchanged verbs. Their past and past participle forms are the same as the base verb.
Final Thoughts
Mastering verbs and tenses will help you become a better English speaker and writer. It may seem tricky at first, but with practice, it’ll get easier and easier. Keep reading, keep practicing, and soon you’ll be using verbs and tenses like a pro!
For a more detailed look at all the verbs and tenses, download the PDF below to help you study and remember all the rules and examples.
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