Top 100 irregular verbs for everyday English
These are the 100 most common irregular verbs in English, in order of use: from be, have and do down to forgive and lay. Each comes with its three forms, an example sentence and audio.
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The 100 most common irregular verbs
The higher a verb, the sooner you'll need it. All 100 are chosen: untick the ones you already know and add the rest to your dictionary.
| Play pronunciation | Three formsBase form | Past Simple | Past participle | Meaning and example | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
be · was, were · been /biː/ · /wɒz/, /wɜː/ · /biːn/ to exist; used to say what or where someone is I want to be a doctor. be /biː/ to exist; used to say what or where someone is I want to be a doctor. | was, were /wɒz/, /wɜː/ | been /biːn/ | to exist; used to say what or where someone is I want to be a doctor. | ||
have · had · had /hæv/ · /hæd/ · /hæd/ to own or hold We have two children. have /hæv/ to own or hold We have two children. | had /hæd/ | had /hæd/ | to own or hold We have two children. | ||
do · did · done /duː/ · /dɪd/ · /dʌn/ to perform an action What do you do at the weekend? do /duː/ to perform an action What do you do at the weekend? | did /dɪd/ | done /dʌn/ | to perform an action What do you do at the weekend? | ||
say · said · said /seɪ/ · /sed/ · /sed/ to speak words What did you say? say /seɪ/ to speak words What did you say? | said /sed/ | said /sed/ | to speak words What did you say? | ||
go · went · gone /ɡəʊ/ · /went/ · /ɡɒn/ to move to another place Let's go to the cinema tonight. go /ɡəʊ/ to move to another place Let's go to the cinema tonight. | went /went/ | gone /ɡɒn/ | to move to another place Let's go to the cinema tonight. | ||
get · got · got, gotten /ɡet/ · /ɡɒt/ · /ɡɒt/, /ˈɡɒtn/ to receive I get a lot of emails every day. get /ɡet/ to receive I get a lot of emails every day. | got /ɡɒt/ | got, gotten /ɡɒt/, /ˈɡɒtn/ | to receive I get a lot of emails every day. | ||
make · made · made /meɪk/ · /meɪd/ · /meɪd/ to create or produce Let's make a cake. make /meɪk/ to create or produce Let's make a cake. | made /meɪd/ | made /meɪd/ | to create or produce Let's make a cake. | ||
know · knew · known /nəʊ/ · /njuː/ · /nəʊn/ to have information in your mind Do you know the answer? know /nəʊ/ to have information in your mind Do you know the answer? | knew /njuː/ | known /nəʊn/ | to have information in your mind Do you know the answer? | ||
think · thought · thought /θɪŋk/ · /θɔːt/ · /θɔːt/ to have an opinion; to use your mind I think it's a good idea. think /θɪŋk/ to have an opinion; to use your mind I think it's a good idea. | thought /θɔːt/ | thought /θɔːt/ | to have an opinion; to use your mind I think it's a good idea. | ||
take · took · taken /teɪk/ · /tʊk/ · /ˈteɪkən/ to get hold of something and carry it Take an umbrella, it's raining. take /teɪk/ to get hold of something and carry it Take an umbrella, it's raining. | took /tʊk/ | taken /ˈteɪkən/ | to get hold of something and carry it Take an umbrella, it's raining. | ||
see · saw · seen /siː/ · /sɔː/ · /siːn/ to notice with your eyes I can see the sea from my window. see /siː/ to notice with your eyes I can see the sea from my window. | saw /sɔː/ | seen /siːn/ | to notice with your eyes I can see the sea from my window. | ||
come · came · come /kʌm/ · /keɪm/ · /kʌm/ to move towards the speaker or a place Can you come to my party? come /kʌm/ to move towards the speaker or a place Can you come to my party? | came /keɪm/ | come /kʌm/ | to move towards the speaker or a place Can you come to my party? | ||
give · gave · given /ɡɪv/ · /ɡeɪv/ · /ˈɡɪvn/ to hand something to someone Can you give me a hand? give /ɡɪv/ to hand something to someone Can you give me a hand? | gave /ɡeɪv/ | given /ˈɡɪvn/ | to hand something to someone Can you give me a hand? | ||
find · found · found /faɪnd/ · /faʊnd/ · /faʊnd/ to discover where something is I can't find my keys. find /faɪnd/ to discover where something is I can't find my keys. | found /faʊnd/ | found /faʊnd/ | to discover where something is I can't find my keys. | ||
tell · told · told /tel/ · /təʊld/ · /təʊld/ to give information to someone Tell me about your day. tell /tel/ to give information to someone Tell me about your day. | told /təʊld/ | told /təʊld/ | to give information to someone Tell me about your day. | ||
become · became · become /bɪˈkʌm/ · /bɪˈkeɪm/ · /bɪˈkʌm/ to begin to be something She wants to become a teacher. become /bɪˈkʌm/ to begin to be something She wants to become a teacher. | became /bɪˈkeɪm/ | become /bɪˈkʌm/ | to begin to be something She wants to become a teacher. | ||
leave · left · left /liːv/ · /left/ · /left/ to go away from a place I leave home at seven. leave /liːv/ to go away from a place I leave home at seven. | left /left/ | left /left/ | to go away from a place I leave home at seven. | ||
feel · felt · felt /fiːl/ · /felt/ · /felt/ to experience an emotion or a sensation I feel tired today. feel /fiːl/ to experience an emotion or a sensation I feel tired today. | felt /felt/ | felt /felt/ | to experience an emotion or a sensation I feel tired today. | ||
put · put · put /pʊt/ · /pʊt/ · /pʊt/ to move something into a place Put your bag on the table. put /pʊt/ to move something into a place Put your bag on the table. | put /pʊt/ | put /pʊt/ | to move something into a place Put your bag on the table. | ||
bring · brought · brought /brɪŋ/ · /brɔːt/ · /brɔːt/ to take someone or something with you to a place Bring your friends to the party. bring /brɪŋ/ to take someone or something with you to a place Bring your friends to the party. | brought /brɔːt/ | brought /brɔːt/ | to take someone or something with you to a place Bring your friends to the party. | ||
begin · began · begun /bɪˈɡɪn/ · /bɪˈɡæn/ · /bɪˈɡʌn/ to start The lesson will begin at nine. begin /bɪˈɡɪn/ to start The lesson will begin at nine. | began /bɪˈɡæn/ | begun /bɪˈɡʌn/ | to start The lesson will begin at nine. | ||
keep · kept · kept /kiːp/ · /kept/ · /kept/ to continue to have something You can keep the change. keep /kiːp/ to continue to have something You can keep the change. | kept /kept/ | kept /kept/ | to continue to have something You can keep the change. | ||
hold · held · held /həʊld/ · /held/ · /held/ to have something in your hand Hold my hand. hold /həʊld/ to have something in your hand Hold my hand. | held /held/ | held /held/ | to have something in your hand Hold my hand. | ||
write · wrote · written /raɪt/ · /rəʊt/ · /ˈrɪtn/ to put words on paper or a screen Write your name here. write /raɪt/ to put words on paper or a screen Write your name here. | wrote /rəʊt/ | written /ˈrɪtn/ | to put words on paper or a screen Write your name here. | ||
stand · stood · stood /stænd/ · /stʊd/ · /stʊd/ to be on your feet Please stand by the door. stand /stænd/ to be on your feet Please stand by the door. | stood /stʊd/ | stood /stʊd/ | to be on your feet Please stand by the door. | ||
hear · heard · heard /hɪə/ · /hɜːd/ · /hɜːd/ to notice sounds with your ears Can you hear me? hear /hɪə/ to notice sounds with your ears Can you hear me? | heard /hɜːd/ | heard /hɜːd/ | to notice sounds with your ears Can you hear me? | ||
let · let · let /let/ · /let/ · /let/ to allow Let me help you. let /let/ to allow Let me help you. | let /let/ | let /let/ | to allow Let me help you. | ||
mean · meant · meant /miːn/ · /ment/ · /ment/ to have a meaning What does this word mean? mean /miːn/ to have a meaning What does this word mean? | meant /ment/ | meant /ment/ | to have a meaning What does this word mean? | ||
set · set · set /set/ · /set/ · /set/ to put something in a place; to prepare a table Set the table for dinner. set /set/ to put something in a place; to prepare a table Set the table for dinner. | set /set/ | set /set/ | to put something in a place; to prepare a table Set the table for dinner. | ||
meet · met · met /miːt/ · /met/ · /met/ to see and talk to someone for the first time Nice to meet you. meet /miːt/ to see and talk to someone for the first time Nice to meet you. | met /met/ | met /met/ | to see and talk to someone for the first time Nice to meet you. | ||
run · ran · run /rʌn/ · /ræn/ · /rʌn/ to move fast on your feet I run every morning. run /rʌn/ to move fast on your feet I run every morning. | ran /ræn/ | run /rʌn/ | to move fast on your feet I run every morning. | ||
pay · paid · paid /peɪ/ · /peɪd/ · /peɪd/ to give money for something I'll pay for dinner. pay /peɪ/ to give money for something I'll pay for dinner. | paid /peɪd/ | paid /peɪd/ | to give money for something I'll pay for dinner. | ||
sit · sat · sat /sɪt/ · /sæt/ · /sæt/ to rest on a chair or seat Please sit down. sit /sɪt/ to rest on a chair or seat Please sit down. | sat /sæt/ | sat /sæt/ | to rest on a chair or seat Please sit down. | ||
speak · spoke · spoken /spiːk/ · /spəʊk/ · /ˈspəʊkən/ to say words; to know a language Do you speak English? speak /spiːk/ to say words; to know a language Do you speak English? | spoke /spəʊk/ | spoken /ˈspəʊkən/ | to say words; to know a language Do you speak English? | ||
lead · led · led /liːd/ · /led/ · /led/ to be in charge of a group She will lead the team. lead /liːd/ to be in charge of a group She will lead the team. | led /led/ | led /led/ | to be in charge of a group She will lead the team. | ||
read · read · read /riːd/ · /red/ · /red/ to look at words and understand them I read before I go to sleep. read /riːd/ to look at words and understand them I read before I go to sleep. | read /red/ | read /red/ | to look at words and understand them I read before I go to sleep. | ||
grow · grew · grown /ɡrəʊ/ · /ɡruː/ · /ɡrəʊn/ to become bigger Tomatoes grow well in the sun. grow /ɡrəʊ/ to become bigger Tomatoes grow well in the sun. | grew /ɡruː/ | grown /ɡrəʊn/ | to become bigger Tomatoes grow well in the sun. | ||
lose · lost · lost /luːz/ · /lɒst/ · /lɒst/ to no longer have something Don't lose your ticket. lose /luːz/ to no longer have something Don't lose your ticket. | lost /lɒst/ | lost /lɒst/ | to no longer have something Don't lose your ticket. | ||
fall · fell · fallen /fɔːl/ · /fel/ · /ˈfɔːlən/ to come down to the ground suddenly Be careful, you might fall. fall /fɔːl/ to come down to the ground suddenly Be careful, you might fall. | fell /fel/ | fallen /ˈfɔːlən/ | to come down to the ground suddenly Be careful, you might fall. | ||
send · sent · sent /send/ · /sent/ · /sent/ to make something go to someone I'll send you an email. send /send/ to make something go to someone I'll send you an email. | sent /sent/ | sent /sent/ | to make something go to someone I'll send you an email. | ||
build · built · built /bɪld/ · /bɪlt/ · /bɪlt/ to make a building or other structure They want to build a new school here. build /bɪld/ to make a building or other structure They want to build a new school here. | built /bɪlt/ | built /bɪlt/ | to make a building or other structure They want to build a new school here. | ||
understand · understood · understood /ˌʌndəˈstænd/ · /ˌʌndəˈstʊd/ · /ˌʌndəˈstʊd/ to know the meaning of something I don't understand the question. understand /ˌʌndəˈstænd/ to know the meaning of something I don't understand the question. | understood /ˌʌndəˈstʊd/ | understood /ˌʌndəˈstʊd/ | to know the meaning of something I don't understand the question. | ||
draw · drew · drawn /drɔː/ · /druː/ · /drɔːn/ to make a picture with a pen or pencil She likes to draw animals. draw /drɔː/ to make a picture with a pen or pencil She likes to draw animals. | drew /druː/ | drawn /drɔːn/ | to make a picture with a pen or pencil She likes to draw animals. | ||
break · broke · broken /breɪk/ · /brəʊk/ · /ˈbrəʊkən/ to make something fall into pieces Don't break the glass. break /breɪk/ to make something fall into pieces Don't break the glass. | broke /brəʊk/ | broken /ˈbrəʊkən/ | to make something fall into pieces Don't break the glass. | ||
spend · spent · spent /spend/ · /spent/ · /spent/ to use money or time I spend too much money on clothes. spend /spend/ to use money or time I spend too much money on clothes. | spent /spent/ | spent /spent/ | to use money or time I spend too much money on clothes. | ||
cut · cut · cut /kʌt/ · /kʌt/ · /kʌt/ to divide with a knife or scissors Cut the bread into slices. cut /kʌt/ to divide with a knife or scissors Cut the bread into slices. | cut /kʌt/ | cut /kʌt/ | to divide with a knife or scissors Cut the bread into slices. | ||
rise · rose · risen /raɪz/ · /rəʊz/ · /ˈrɪzn/ to go up Prices rise every year. rise /raɪz/ to go up Prices rise every year. | rose /rəʊz/ | risen /ˈrɪzn/ | to go up Prices rise every year. | ||
drive · drove · driven /draɪv/ · /drəʊv/ · /ˈdrɪvn/ to control a car or other vehicle Can you drive a car? drive /draɪv/ to control a car or other vehicle Can you drive a car? | drove /drəʊv/ | driven /ˈdrɪvn/ | to control a car or other vehicle Can you drive a car? | ||
buy · bought · bought /baɪ/ · /bɔːt/ · /bɔːt/ to get something by paying for it I need to buy some bread. buy /baɪ/ to get something by paying for it I need to buy some bread. | bought /bɔːt/ | bought /bɔːt/ | to get something by paying for it I need to buy some bread. | ||
wear · wore · worn /weə/ · /wɔː/ · /wɔːn/ to have clothes on your body She likes to wear red. wear /weə/ to have clothes on your body She likes to wear red. | wore /wɔː/ | worn /wɔːn/ | to have clothes on your body She likes to wear red. | ||
choose · chose · chosen /tʃuːz/ · /tʃəʊz/ · /ˈtʃəʊzn/ to decide which one you want You can choose any colour you like. choose /tʃuːz/ to decide which one you want You can choose any colour you like. | chose /tʃəʊz/ | chosen /ˈtʃəʊzn/ | to decide which one you want You can choose any colour you like. | ||
seek · sought · sought /siːk/ · /sɔːt/ · /sɔːt/ to try to find or get You should seek medical advice. seek /siːk/ to try to find or get You should seek medical advice. | sought /sɔːt/ | sought /sɔːt/ | to try to find or get You should seek medical advice. | ||
throw · threw · thrown /θrəʊ/ · /θruː/ · /θrəʊn/ to send something through the air with your hand Throw me the ball! throw /θrəʊ/ to send something through the air with your hand Throw me the ball! | threw /θruː/ | thrown /θrəʊn/ | to send something through the air with your hand Throw me the ball! | ||
catch · caught · caught /kætʃ/ · /kɔːt/ · /kɔːt/ to take hold of something moving through the air Try to catch the ball! catch /kætʃ/ to take hold of something moving through the air Try to catch the ball! | caught /kɔːt/ | caught /kɔːt/ | to take hold of something moving through the air Try to catch the ball! | ||
deal · dealt · dealt /diːl/ · /delt/ · /delt/ to take action to solve a problem I'll deal with it tomorrow. deal /diːl/ to take action to solve a problem I'll deal with it tomorrow. | dealt /delt/ | dealt /delt/ | to take action to solve a problem I'll deal with it tomorrow. | ||
win · won · won /wɪn/ · /wʌn/ · /wʌn/ to be first in a game or competition Who do you think will win? win /wɪn/ to be first in a game or competition Who do you think will win? | won /wʌn/ | won /wʌn/ | to be first in a game or competition Who do you think will win? | ||
forget · forgot · forgotten /fəˈɡet/ · /fəˈɡɒt/ · /fəˈɡɒtn/ to not remember Don't forget your umbrella. forget /fəˈɡet/ to not remember Don't forget your umbrella. | forgot /fəˈɡɒt/ | forgotten /fəˈɡɒtn/ | to not remember Don't forget your umbrella. | ||
lie · lay · lain /laɪ/ · /leɪ/ · /leɪn/ to be in a flat position on a surface I want to lie on the beach all day. lie /laɪ/ to be in a flat position on a surface I want to lie on the beach all day. | lay /leɪ/ | lain /leɪn/ | to be in a flat position on a surface I want to lie on the beach all day. | ||
sell · sold · sold /sel/ · /səʊld/ · /səʊld/ to give something in exchange for money They sell fresh fish here. sell /sel/ to give something in exchange for money They sell fresh fish here. | sold /səʊld/ | sold /səʊld/ | to give something in exchange for money They sell fresh fish here. | ||
fight · fought · fought /faɪt/ · /fɔːt/ · /fɔːt/ to use force against someone The two brothers often fight. fight /faɪt/ to use force against someone The two brothers often fight. | fought /fɔːt/ | fought /fɔːt/ | to use force against someone The two brothers often fight. | ||
teach · taught · taught /tiːtʃ/ · /tɔːt/ · /tɔːt/ to help someone learn She teaches maths at a school. teach /tiːtʃ/ to help someone learn She teaches maths at a school. | taught /tɔːt/ | taught /tɔːt/ | to help someone learn She teaches maths at a school. | ||
eat · ate · eaten /iːt/ · /et/ · /ˈiːtn/ to put food in your mouth and swallow it We usually eat dinner at seven. eat /iːt/ to put food in your mouth and swallow it We usually eat dinner at seven. | ate /et/ | eaten /ˈiːtn/ | to put food in your mouth and swallow it We usually eat dinner at seven. | ||
sing · sang · sung /sɪŋ/ · /sæŋ/ · /sʌŋ/ to make music with your voice She loves to sing in the shower. sing /sɪŋ/ to make music with your voice She loves to sing in the shower. | sang /sæŋ/ | sung /sʌŋ/ | to make music with your voice She loves to sing in the shower. | ||
strike · struck · struck /straɪk/ · /strʌk/ · /strʌk/ to stop working as a protest; to hit Workers may strike next week. strike /straɪk/ to stop working as a protest; to hit Workers may strike next week. | struck /strʌk/ | struck /strʌk/ | to stop working as a protest; to hit Workers may strike next week. | ||
hang · hung · hung /hæŋ/ · /hʌŋ/ · /hʌŋ/ to put something on a hook so it is held from above Hang your coat by the door. hang /hæŋ/ to put something on a hook so it is held from above Hang your coat by the door. | hung /hʌŋ/ | hung /hʌŋ/ | to put something on a hook so it is held from above Hang your coat by the door. | ||
shake · shook · shaken /ʃeɪk/ · /ʃʊk/ · /ˈʃeɪkən/ to move quickly up and down or from side to side Shake the bottle before you open it. shake /ʃeɪk/ to move quickly up and down or from side to side Shake the bottle before you open it. | shook /ʃʊk/ | shaken /ˈʃeɪkən/ | to move quickly up and down or from side to side Shake the bottle before you open it. | ||
ride · rode · ridden /raɪd/ · /rəʊd/ · /ˈrɪdn/ to sit on a bike or a horse and travel on it Can you ride a bike? ride /raɪd/ to sit on a bike or a horse and travel on it Can you ride a bike? | rode /rəʊd/ | ridden /ˈrɪdn/ | to sit on a bike or a horse and travel on it Can you ride a bike? | ||
feed · fed · fed /fiːd/ · /fed/ · /fed/ to give food to a person or animal Don't forget to feed the cat. feed /fiːd/ to give food to a person or animal Don't forget to feed the cat. | fed /fed/ | fed /fed/ | to give food to a person or animal Don't forget to feed the cat. | ||
shoot · shot · shot /ʃuːt/ · /ʃɒt/ · /ʃɒt/ to fire a gun Don't shoot! shoot /ʃuːt/ to fire a gun Don't shoot! | shot /ʃɒt/ | shot /ʃɒt/ | to fire a gun Don't shoot! | ||
fly · flew · flown /flaɪ/ · /fluː/ · /fləʊn/ to move through the air Birds fly south in winter. fly /flaɪ/ to move through the air Birds fly south in winter. | flew /fluː/ | flown /fləʊn/ | to move through the air Birds fly south in winter. | ||
hide · hid · hidden /haɪd/ · /hɪd/ · /ˈhɪdn/ to put something where no one can see it Where did you hide the presents? hide /haɪd/ to put something where no one can see it Where did you hide the presents? | hid /hɪd/ | hidden /ˈhɪdn/ | to put something where no one can see it Where did you hide the presents? | ||
sleep · slept · slept /sliːp/ · /slept/ · /slept/ to rest with your eyes closed I couldn't sleep last night. sleep /sliːp/ to rest with your eyes closed I couldn't sleep last night. | slept /slept/ | slept /slept/ | to rest with your eyes closed I couldn't sleep last night. | ||
light · lit · lit /laɪt/ · /lɪt/ · /lɪt/ to make something start burning Light the candles. light /laɪt/ to make something start burning Light the candles. | lit /lɪt/ | lit /lɪt/ | to make something start burning Light the candles. | ||
show · showed · shown /ʃəʊ/ · /ʃəʊd/ · /ʃəʊn/ to let someone see something Show me your photos. show /ʃəʊ/ to let someone see something Show me your photos. | showed /ʃəʊd/ | shown /ʃəʊn/ | to let someone see something Show me your photos. | ||
beat · beat · beaten /biːt/ · /biːt/ · /ˈbiːtn/ to win against someone Our team beat them three to one. beat /biːt/ to win against someone Our team beat them three to one. | beat /biːt/ | beaten /ˈbiːtn/ | to win against someone Our team beat them three to one. | ||
bite · bit · bitten /baɪt/ · /bɪt/ · /ˈbɪtn/ to cut into something with your teeth Does your dog bite? bite /baɪt/ to cut into something with your teeth Does your dog bite? | bit /bɪt/ | bitten /ˈbɪtn/ | to cut into something with your teeth Does your dog bite? | ||
blow · blew · blown /bləʊ/ · /bluː/ · /bləʊn/ to push air out of your mouth Blow out the candles! blow /bləʊ/ to push air out of your mouth Blow out the candles! | blew /bluː/ | blown /bləʊn/ | to push air out of your mouth Blow out the candles! | ||
cost · cost · cost /kɒst/ · /kɒst/ · /kɒst/ to have a price How much does this jacket cost? cost /kɒst/ to have a price How much does this jacket cost? | cost /kɒst/ | cost /kɒst/ | to have a price How much does this jacket cost? | ||
dig · dug · dug /dɪɡ/ · /dʌɡ/ · /dʌɡ/ to make a hole in the ground The dog likes to dig in the garden. dig /dɪɡ/ to make a hole in the ground The dog likes to dig in the garden. | dug /dʌɡ/ | dug /dʌɡ/ | to make a hole in the ground The dog likes to dig in the garden. | ||
drink · drank · drunk /drɪŋk/ · /dræŋk/ · /drʌŋk/ to take liquid into your mouth and swallow it You should drink more water. drink /drɪŋk/ to take liquid into your mouth and swallow it You should drink more water. | drank /dræŋk/ | drunk /drʌŋk/ | to take liquid into your mouth and swallow it You should drink more water. | ||
freeze · froze · frozen /friːz/ · /frəʊz/ · /ˈfrəʊzn/ to become ice; to make very cold Water freezes at zero degrees. freeze /friːz/ to become ice; to make very cold Water freezes at zero degrees. | froze /frəʊz/ | frozen /ˈfrəʊzn/ | to become ice; to make very cold Water freezes at zero degrees. | ||
hit · hit · hit /hɪt/ · /hɪt/ · /hɪt/ to touch with force Don't hit your brother. hit /hɪt/ to touch with force Don't hit your brother. | hit /hɪt/ | hit /hɪt/ | to touch with force Don't hit your brother. | ||
hurt · hurt · hurt /hɜːt/ · /hɜːt/ · /hɜːt/ to cause pain; to feel pain My back hurts. hurt /hɜːt/ to cause pain; to feel pain My back hurts. | hurt /hɜːt/ | hurt /hɜːt/ | to cause pain; to feel pain My back hurts. | ||
lend · lent · lent /lend/ · /lent/ · /lent/ to give something for a time, to be returned Could you lend me ten euros? lend /lend/ to give something for a time, to be returned Could you lend me ten euros? | lent /lent/ | lent /lent/ | to give something for a time, to be returned Could you lend me ten euros? | ||
ring · rang · rung /rɪŋ/ · /ræŋ/ · /rʌŋ/ to make the sound of a bell The phone is ringing. ring /rɪŋ/ to make the sound of a bell The phone is ringing. | rang /ræŋ/ | rung /rʌŋ/ | to make the sound of a bell The phone is ringing. | ||
shine · shone · shone /ʃaɪn/ · /ʃɒn/ · /ʃɒn/ to give out light The sun is shining today. shine /ʃaɪn/ to give out light The sun is shining today. | shone /ʃɒn/ | shone /ʃɒn/ | to give out light The sun is shining today. | ||
shut · shut · shut /ʃʌt/ · /ʃʌt/ · /ʃʌt/ to close Please shut the door. shut /ʃʌt/ to close Please shut the door. | shut /ʃʌt/ | shut /ʃʌt/ | to close Please shut the door. | ||
sink · sank · sunk /sɪŋk/ · /sæŋk/ · /sʌŋk/ to go down under water The boat began to sink. sink /sɪŋk/ to go down under water The boat began to sink. | sank /sæŋk/ | sunk /sʌŋk/ | to go down under water The boat began to sink. | ||
steal · stole · stolen /stiːl/ · /stəʊl/ · /ˈstəʊlən/ to take something that is not yours Someone tried to steal my bike. steal /stiːl/ to take something that is not yours Someone tried to steal my bike. | stole /stəʊl/ | stolen /ˈstəʊlən/ | to take something that is not yours Someone tried to steal my bike. | ||
stick · stuck · stuck /stɪk/ · /stʌk/ · /stʌk/ to fix with glue Stick the photo on the wall. stick /stɪk/ to fix with glue Stick the photo on the wall. | stuck /stʌk/ | stuck /stʌk/ | to fix with glue Stick the photo on the wall. | ||
swim · swam · swum /swɪm/ · /swæm/ · /swʌm/ to move through water using your body Can you swim? swim /swɪm/ to move through water using your body Can you swim? | swam /swæm/ | swum /swʌm/ | to move through water using your body Can you swim? | ||
swing · swung · swung /swɪŋ/ · /swʌŋ/ · /swʌŋ/ to move backwards and forwards from a fixed point The children swing in the park. swing /swɪŋ/ to move backwards and forwards from a fixed point The children swing in the park. | swung /swʌŋ/ | swung /swʌŋ/ | to move backwards and forwards from a fixed point The children swing in the park. | ||
tear · tore · torn /teə/ · /tɔː/ · /tɔːn/ to pull apart into pieces Be careful not to tear the paper. tear /teə/ to pull apart into pieces Be careful not to tear the paper. | tore /tɔː/ | torn /tɔːn/ | to pull apart into pieces Be careful not to tear the paper. | ||
wake · woke · woken /weɪk/ · /wəʊk/ · /ˈwəʊkən/ to stop sleeping; to make someone stop sleeping Please wake me up at seven. wake /weɪk/ to stop sleeping; to make someone stop sleeping Please wake me up at seven. | woke /wəʊk/ | woken /ˈwəʊkən/ | to stop sleeping; to make someone stop sleeping Please wake me up at seven. | ||
bend · bent · bent /bend/ · /bent/ · /bent/ to move your body or a thing so it is not straight Bend your knees when you lift something heavy. bend /bend/ to move your body or a thing so it is not straight Bend your knees when you lift something heavy. | bent /bent/ | bent /bent/ | to move your body or a thing so it is not straight Bend your knees when you lift something heavy. | ||
bet · bet · bet /bet/ · /bet/ · /bet/ to risk money on what will happen I bet you can't do it. bet /bet/ to risk money on what will happen I bet you can't do it. | bet /bet/ | bet /bet/ | to risk money on what will happen I bet you can't do it. | ||
forgive · forgave · forgiven /fəˈɡɪv/ · /fəˈɡeɪv/ · /fəˈɡɪvn/ to stop being angry with someone I can't forgive him for lying. forgive /fəˈɡɪv/ to stop being angry with someone I can't forgive him for lying. | forgave /fəˈɡeɪv/ | forgiven /fəˈɡɪvn/ | to stop being angry with someone I can't forgive him for lying. | ||
quit · quit · quit /kwɪt/ · /kwɪt/ · /kwɪt/ to leave a job; to stop doing something He quit his job last month. quit /kwɪt/ to leave a job; to stop doing something He quit his job last month. | quit /kwɪt/ | quit /kwɪt/ | to leave a job; to stop doing something He quit his job last month. | ||
spread · spread · spread /spred/ · /spred/ · /spred/ to cover a surface with something soft Spread the butter on the bread. spread /spred/ to cover a surface with something soft Spread the butter on the bread. | spread /spred/ | spread /spred/ | to cover a surface with something soft Spread the butter on the bread. | ||
lay · laid · laid /leɪ/ · /leɪd/ · /leɪd/ to put something down carefully Lay the baby on the bed. lay /leɪ/ to put something down carefully Lay the baby on the bed. | laid /leɪd/ | laid /leɪd/ | to put something down carefully Lay the baby on the bed. |
100/100 chosen
How to learn this list
Take them ten at a time from the top. The first thirty are how people talk about their day: went, said, got, made, took.
Hear each verb's three forms with the speaker before you read them: in a conversation, the sound is what you need.
Once they're in your dictionary, they come back for review on a schedule, and you can practise them in the word games.
FAQ
What are the most common irregular verbs in English?
Be, have, do, say, go, get, make, know, think and take lead the list.
Why these 100?
They are the irregular verbs used most often in spoken and written English, ranked by how often each one appears.
Do I need the other 68?
Later. They're rarer: formal words, crafts and prefixed forms of verbs from this list. The full table has all 168.
Can I add only some of them?
Yes. Untick the ones you know, or clear them all and tick a few, then add the rest to your dictionary.