For an English language learner, regular verbs are consistent and easier to learn than irregular verbs. The main difference between regular and irregular verbs is in the past participle and past simple. For regular verbs, you just have to add “-ed” for both the past participle and past simple:
I visited my friends in Milan. (past simple)
She’s visited her friends in Milan throughout the years. (present perfect)
Irregular verbs, on the other hand, are more complicated and often need to be studied individually because they don’t follow a single pattern. The following example sentences in all tenses will help students learn irregular verb forms in context.
Example Sentences Using Irregular Verbs
Click on one of the irregular verbs listed below for example sentences using the verbs in all tenses including active and passive forms, as well as conditional and modal forms. To help you choose the verb you need, each verb includes three example sentences to get you started.
Be
be / was / were / been
Tom was in New York yesterday.
I’ve been at this job for a long time.
She’ll be at the party next weekend.
Beat
beat / beat / beaten
We beat the home team yesterday.
I’ve never beaten Tom at chess.
Do you think you could beat him?
Become
become / became / become
Jason has become an excellent doctor.
I’ll become your friend if you move here.
The situation became a problem for Bob.
Begin
begin / began / begun
They haven’t begun the play yet.
I began to work early this morning.
She’ll begin to explain in a moment.
Bend
bend / bent / bent
He bent the branch until it broke.
The flag poll bends in the wind.
I’ve bent the nail in the board.
Break
break / broke / broken
My boy has broken three windows this week!
I broke that window last week.
She usually breaks the egg over the sink.
Buy
buy / bought / bought
Janice bought a new watch last week.
I usually buy my vegetables at a country stand.
He’s bought more than 10 cars in his life.
Come
come / came / come
We came home earlier yesterday.
He comes to class on time every day.
He’s come across that song before.
Cut
cut / cut / cut
How many pieces have you cut?
I cut my finger on a glass yesterday.
The boy never cuts his own steak.
Draw
draw / drew / drawn
She drew a beautiful picture in class.
Jackie has drawn a few clowns this week.
She’ll draw the money from the account tomorrow.
Drink
drink / drank / drunk
I was so thirsty I drank two bottles of water.
Have you drunk any water yet?
I’ll drink something when I get there.
Drive
drive / drove / driven
Have you ever driven across the U.S.?
I drove to the basketball game after work.
He’s going to drive to the airport this evening.
Eat
eat / ate / eaten
We ate lunch early today.
Have you eaten already?
Where did you eat dinner yesterday?
Find
find / found / found
Have you found him yet?
I found this book on that table over there.
I’ll find him, don’t worry!
Fly
fly / flew / flown
Cheryl flew to Brazil last month.
Have you ever flown around the world?
He’s going to fly a commercial airliner someday.
Forget
forget / forgot / forgotten (U.S.) — forgot (UK)
Have you forgotten that you had an appointment?
I forgot my pen at home. Can I borrow yours?
You’ll have forgotten by the time you get home.
Give
give / gave / given
They gave us an early appointment.
He’s given up on trying to learn Japanese.
I’ll give you a call next week.
Go
go / went / gone
Have you ever gone on vacation alone?
She’s going to ride the bus to work today.
I went to the party last week.
Grow
grow / grew / grown
She grew up very poor.
The plants have all grown.
Did you grow that plant?
Have
have / had / had
I had some toast for breakfast.
I’ve had some extra free time this week.
She’ll have the package ready when you come.
Hit
hit / hit / hit
He’s hit me three times!
Bob hit the ball out of the park last night.
He usually hits his nine iron well.
Hold
hold / held / held
She held on tightly and entered the tunnel.
I’ve held her hand before.
Hold on for a few more minutes.
Keep
keep / kept / kept
Have you kept your word to Peter?
John kept the door open for his mother.
I’ll keep your secret.
Know
know / knew / known
I knew that once …
I’ve known my best friend for more than 40 years.
Peter will know the answer.
Learn
learn / learned (learnt UK) / learned (learnt UK)
Have you learnt (learned) anything yet?
He learned his lesson last week.
This has been learned for ages.
Leave
leave / left / left
We left the book at home.
He’s left the house early this morning.
We’ll leave as soon as you get home.
Lose
lose / lost / lost
I lost my watch yesterday.
She’s never lost her purse.
They’ll lose patience if you don’t hurry up.
Make
make / made / made
I made the bed before I left.
I’ve made some tea. Would you like some?
Will he make the meeting next week?
Meet
meet / met / met
Have you met Jack?
We’re going to meet at 3 o’clock next week.
He met his wife in Hawaii.
Pay
pay / paid / paid
He paid by credit card.
I’ll pay the bill and we can leave.
Janet is paid by the hour.
Put
put / put / put
She put on a CD and relaxed for the afternoon.
I’ve put in for a new job.
She’ll put him up for the night.
Ride
ride / rode / ridden
Mary rode the bus to work.
I’ve ridden a bike all my life.
She’ll ride with Tim to the party.
Run
run / ran / run
I ran four miles yesterday.
We’ve run out of milk, so I’ll go to the store.
David usually runs two miles a day.
See
see / saw / seen
Have you seen Angie yet?
I saw the film last week.
She’s going to see her friend next weekend.