Irregular Verbs

• If a verb is irregular, the past simple and past participle do not end in –ed.

Example: The security guard foresaw the robber’s intent to cause panic in the shop.
(Foresee-foresaw)

• All three forms (infinitive, past, participle) are the same with some verbs.

Example: The government shut down our branch in Osaka last year.
(shut down – shut down- shut down)

• Some irregular verbs have the same past and past participle forms but not the same infinitive form.

Example: The CEO thought that Jeff’s proposal was interesting.
(think – thought – thought)

• For other irregular verbs, all three forms are different.

Example: Our Company underwent an unprecedented growth last year.
(undergo- underwent – undergone)

• Some verbs can be regular or irregular.

Example: He burned his hand while cooking.
She burnt the eggs she was cooking.

Burn-burned or burnt

Spell-spelled or spelt

Learn-learned or learnt

Spill-spilled or spilt

Smell-smelled or smelt

Spoil-spoiled or spoilt

Irregular verbs

bid-bid-bid

-To submit a competitive proposal to buy or sell
products or services

hold on to – held on to – held on to

-To keep in one’s possession

undertake-undertook-undertaken

-To accept a challenging/difficult responsibility