English Grammar: Irregular Verb List & Exercises (Beginner & Intermediate ESL)

English Level: Beginner, Intermediate

Language Focus: A review of conjugations of irregular verbs in the past tense and past participle form

Grammar Worksheetirregular-verb-exercises-esl.docx (scroll down to study the exercises online)

Jump to: Grammar Review (below), Beginner Irregular Verb ListIntermediate Irregular Verbs List, Beginner Exercises, Intermediate Exercises


Review: Irregular Verbs in English


An irregular verb is a verb that has a past tense or past participle form that does not end in ~ed.

  • Here is a regular verb: walk (present), walked (past tense), walked (past participle)
  • Here is an irregular verb: break (present), broke (past tense), broken (past participle)

Naturally, the past simple form is used to talk about the past, e.g. I broke my arm yesterday. View this lesson to review the past simple.

The past participle (also called the P.P.) form is used for these verb tenses/forms:

  • Present Perfect (have + past participle): I have broken my arm twice in my life. [See this lesson for an explanation of present perfect]
  • Past Perfect (had + past participle): I hadn't broken my arm until I started snowboarding. [See this lesson for an explanation of past perfect]
  • Passive Voice (be + past participle): My arm was broken yesterday. [See this lesson for an explanation of the passive voice]

There are over 400 English verbs that use an irregular form. Here is a list of 45 irregular verbs that beginner ESL students should learn.

Beginner Irregular Verbs List

VerbSimple PastPast Participle
bewas/werebeen
becomebecamebecome
breakbrokebroken
buyboughtbought
choosechosechosen
comecamecome
dodiddone
drinkdrankdrunk
drivedrovedriven
eatateeaten
fallfellfallen
feelfeltfelt
findfoundfound
forgetforgotforgotten
getgotgotten/got
givegavegiven
gowentgone
growgrewgrown
havehadhad
hearheardheard
holdheldheld
knowknewknown
leaveleftleft
loselostlost
makemademade
meetmetmet
paypaidpaid
readread (pronounced 'red')read (pronounced 'red')
rideroderidden
runranrun
saysaidsaid
seesawseen
sellsoldsold
sendsentsent
showshowedshown
singsangsung
sitsatsat
sleepsleptslept
speakspokespoken
standstoodstood
stealstolestolen
taketooktaken
thinkthoughtthought
understandunderstoodunderstood
writewrotewritten

Scroll down or click here to do exercises on the above irregular verb list for beginner students.

Intermediate Irregular Verbs List

VerbSimple PastPast Participle
arisearosearisen
awakeawokeawoken
beatbeatbeaten
beginbeganbegun
bendbentbent
betbetbet
bitebitbitten
bleedbledbled
blowblewblown
bringbroughtbrought
buildbuiltbuilt
burnburned/burntburned/burnt
catchcaughtcaught
costcostcost
cutcutcut
dealdealtdealt
digdugdug
drawdrewdrawn
dreamdreamed/dreamtdreamed/dreamt
feedfedfed
fightfoughtfought
fitfitfit
fleefledfled
flyflewflown
forgiveforgaveforgiven
freezefrozefrozen
hanghunghung
hidehidhidden
hithithit
hurthurthurt
keepkeptkept
laylaidlaid
leadledled
learnlearned/learntlearned/learnt
letletlet
meanmeantmeant
mistakemistookmistaken
proveprovedproven/proved
putputput
quitquitquit
riseroserisen
seeksoughtsought
setsetset
shakeshookshaken
shootshotshot
shrinkshrankshrunk
shutshutshut
slideslidslid
smellsmelled/smeltsmelled/smelt
sneaksneaked/snucksneaked/snuck
spellspelled/speltspelled/spelt
spendspentspent
spillspilled/spiltspilled/spilt
spinspunspun
spitspatspat
splitsplitsplit
spoilspoiled/spoiltspoiled/spoilt
spreadspreadspread
stickstuckstuck
stinkstankstunk
strikestruckstruck/stricken
swearsworesworn
sweepsweptswept
swimswamswum
swingswungswung
teachtaughttaught
teartoretorn
throwthrewthrown
wakewokewoken
wearworeworn
winwonwon

One day irregular verbs may disappear from English, but for now, it's important for every student to learn them. It's practice time!


Exercises for Learning English Irregular Verbs Online

The below exercises will test the irregular forms from the verb lists above. Type the correct verb form for the past simple.

Beginner Level: Irregular Verb Exercises with Past Simple

I did many things yesterday.

  1. I (steal) a candy from my sister and I  (speak) to my father.
  2. I (write) in my diary and I  (think) about my life.
  3. I (stand) in the shower and I  (sing) a song.
  4. I (sit) at my desk and I  (understand) my homework.
  5. I (know) the answers and then I  (send) an email.
  6. I (sell) my old bicycle and I  (do) my laundry.
  7. I (become) bored.

  

Later, in the afternoon, I did more things.

  1. I (go) outside and I (see) a rainbow.
  2. I (hear) a dog barking so I  (run) across the street.
  3. I (ride) the train to my friend's house and I (hold) my bag in my hand.
  4. I (pay) for my ticket and then I (buy) a chocolate bar.
  5. I (say) "hello" to my friend. Later, I  (meet) a friendly girl.
  6. I (give) my phone number and I (make) a promise.
  7. I (be) happy.

  

In the evening, I did even more things.

  1. I (lose) my phone and I  (forget) my wallet.
  2. I (find) my wallet later but I  (break) a promise.
  3. I (get) some food and then I  (choose) some dessert.
  4. I (eat) a slice of cake and I  (drink) some tea.
  5. I (leave) a restaurant and I (drive) my car home.
  6. I (come) into my bedroom and I  (sleep).
  7. I (grow) older.

  

Beginner Level: Irregular Verb Exercises with Present Perfect Simple (Past Participle)

Type the past participle verb form for the present perfect.

John has had an interesting life. He has done many things.

  1. He has (steal) a car and he has (speak) to God.
  2. He has (write) a book and he has (stand) at the top of a mountain.
  3. He has (sing) karaoke and he has (sit) in the forest.
  4. He has (break) some bones and he has (think) about life and death.
  5. He has (understand) his heart and he has (know) answers to difficult questions.
  6. He has (send) flowers to someone he loves and he has (sell) paintings.
  7. He has (do) yoga in India.

  

Lisa has had a busy day. He has done many things.

  1. She has (took) a shower and she has (make) coffee.
  2. She has (run) in the park and she has (hear) birds singing.
  3. She has (met) her neighbour and she has (ride) the subway.
  4. She has (become) sick and she has (go) to the hospital.
  5. She has (see) her doctor and she has (hold) her son's hand.
  6. She has (pay) for a hotdog and she has (buy) some shampoo.
  7. She has (give) a hug.

  

I have had an interesting month. I have done many things.

  1. I have (get) a pet and I have (choose) a name for the dog.
  2. I have (lose) my pet dog and I have (find) him in the park.
  3. I have (forget) my friend's birthday and I have (eat) birthday cake.
  4. I have (drink) beer and I have (drive) to the airport.
  5. I have (leave) my city and I have (be) in an airplane.
  6. I have (grow) tired and I have (sleep) on an airplane.
  7. I have (come) back.

  

Beginner Level: Irregular Verb Exercises with Past Simple or Present Perfect

Enter the verb in either the past tense (for past simple) or past participle (for present perfect). To review the difference between the past simple and present perfect, please view this lesson.

Exercise #1: Past Tense or Past Participle

  1. A: John, have you ever (be) to Hawaii? / B: Yes. I (go) there five years ago.
  2. Yesterday, someone (steal) my bag. This (make) me angry. I have never (steal) something.
  3. Peter (become) a famous chef in the 1990s. In his life, he has (met) some famous people.
  4. Last year, Susan (write) a book. I (buy) it and (read) it last month.
  5. Have you (see) my lunch? I (put) it in the refrigerator, but I can't find it! I'm really hungry now. I haven't (eat) all day.

  

Exercise #2: Past Tense or Past Participle

  1. I (grow) up in Australia, but in 1994, my parents (choose) to move to London.
  2. Louise (go) snowboarding last month. She (fall) down and (break) her ankle. She often falls. She has (break) her ankle three times. I (drive) her to the hospital.
  3. The teacher asked, “Who has (do) their homework?” But none of the students (say) that they had.
  4. Have you ever (ride) on a camel? I have. I (ride) on one when I was in Egypt.
  5. I have (know) John for four years. I (meet) him at university. He (sit) beside me in class.

  


Intermediate Level: Irregular Verb Exercises for Past Simple

Type the appropriate irregular verb form for the past simple.

Yesterday, Alan did many things.

  1. He (wake) up at 9 a.m. and he  (draw) some plans.
  2. He (split) some wood and he (bend) some metal.
  3. He (dig) some holes and he   (build) a fence.
  4. He (cut) his finger and he  (swear) loudly.
  5. He (quit) working and he  (feed) his dog.
  6. He (spill) the dog food and then he  (sweep) his floor.
  7. He (let) the cat out and then he  (hang) out with some friends.

  

Sarah went camping last week. She had an interesting time.

  1. She (swim) in a lake and she (lie) on the beach.
  2. She (shake) the sand off her clothes and (hang) them to dry.
  3. She (fly) a kite and she (shoot) an arrow.
  4. She (catch) a fish and she (cut) the fish and tried to cook it.
  5. She (burn) the fish a little.
  6. She (put) on a sweater and she (smell) a skunk in the forest.
  7. She (fight) the skunk and she (win).
  8. She (blow) out her candles and went to bed.

  

The skunk probably stunk.
(The skunk might have stunk.)

Intermediate Level: Irregular Verb Exercises in Questions (Past Simple & Present Perfect)

Type either the past tense form (past simple) or the past participle form (past perfect).

  1. Have you ever (fly) first class? Or in a helicopter?
  2. When was the last time that you (fall) down?
  3. What was the last piece of clothing that you (shrink)?
  4. Where is the most beautiful place where you have (swim)?
  5. What problems in your life have you (deal) with successfully?
  6. Have you recently (forgive) someone for a mistake they made?
  7. What prices have (rise) recently?

  

  1. Have you ever (fight) with a close friend?
  2. When was the last time you (beat) a drum? Why?
  3. What is the worst thing that has ever (bite) you?
  4. If you had to get some words or a phrase (draw) on your skin, what would it be?
  5. Who's the coolest person that you've ever (hang) out with?
  6. Who (cut) your hair last?
  7. Have you ever (spill) wine on expensive clothing?

  

Intermediate Level: Past Simple, Present Perfect, Past Perfect, and Passive Voice

If you need a review, see our lessons on present perfect, past perfect, and the passive voice.

  1. The man who stole the money was (catch).
  2. As a little girl, Mona (dream) of being a writer.
  3. I (bite) my cheek yesterday when I was eating. It (hurt).
  4. By the time we arrived at the theatre, the movie had already (begin).
  5. My brother (bet) ten thousand dollars on a horse race. Of course, he lost.
  6. The dog (dig) a hole and then (put) his bone in it.
  7. Being late (cost) John his last job. Now he's unemployed.

  

  1. Volunteers are being (seek) for language teaching positions.
  2. The news quickly (spread) that the president had been (shoot).
  3. During the flood of 2008, water levels (rise) to dangerous levels.
  4. The child (sneak) behind the counter at the bakery and (stick) his finger in a cake.
  5. His mother saw him and (swear) loudly.
  6. When Laura (fall) off her bicycle, she (tear) the dress she was wearing and (cut) her knee. Unfortunately, the dress wasn't hers. A friend had (lend) it to her. She had (tear) it and also (bleed) onto it a little. Even though it was damaged, her friend (forgive) her when she returned it.

  

--

I hope these exercises on irregular verbs have been useful. Of course, there are many more irregular verbs in English. Keep studying and practicing!

Questions? Found a mistake? Leave a comment below.

-- Matthew Barton (copyright) / Creator of Englishcurrent.com

Related Lessons & Exercises:

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28 comments on “English Grammar: Irregular Verb List & Exercises (Beginner & Intermediate ESL)

  1. Arif (Posted on 10-11-2017 at 14:15) Reply

    Undeniably, your teaching method is excellent.
    Happy to find an online teacher like you.

  2. Anne Muller (Posted on 7-13-2019 at 10:06) Reply

    I am helping young people to learn English, in the Netherlands and quite accidentally saw your site and tests. Very helpful, indeed!
    One small observation: In the second part of the test about Irregular Verbs, sentence number 6 there is a small error. The verb that is given between brackets should be: (give) instead of “gave”.

    1. mb Post author (Posted on 7-13-2019 at 13:41) Reply

      Thanks! Fixed!

  3. Taylor (Posted on 10-6-2020 at 10:53) Reply

    LOTS OF MISTAKES, EVERYWHERE!!!!! Someone needs to proof read!

    1. mb Post author (Posted on 10-6-2020 at 16:12) Reply

      Please identify an error.

    2. Anonymous (Posted on 10-22-2020 at 02:15) Reply

      true

  4. Elizabeth (Posted on 9-22-2021 at 19:37) Reply

    They are really good exercises to learn English. Thank you much!

  5. jane doe (Posted on 2-24-2022 at 22:10) Reply

    this is the best app to learn grammer i rate it 5/5

  6. Exercise (Posted on 3-10-2022 at 14:05) Reply

    I don’t find exercise in irregular verbs :( I don’t find in any web :(

  7. Anonymous (Posted on 5-23-2022 at 00:20) Reply

    THIS LESSON GIVE ME MANY KNOWELEGE,I VERY LIKE ENGLISH AND RUSSIA VIN

    1. Anastasia (Posted on 2-7-2023 at 08:22) Reply

      This is why you need to study grammar, man… Not to put even more shame on your country. I’m from Russia btw

  8. Edward Snowden (Posted on 6-6-2022 at 18:29) Reply

    Very useful exercises!

  9. Sangeeta (Posted on 11-25-2022 at 21:55) Reply

    The exercises have been a huge help in giving my students practice, especially online. Thank you.

  10. Sangeeta (Posted on 11-25-2022 at 21:55) Reply

    The exercises have been a huge help in giving my students practice, especially online. Thank you very much.

  11. The Muffin Man (Posted on 1-9-2023 at 17:57) Reply

    10/10, Helps a lot a lot with my horrible grammar!
    P.S. Do you know the muffin man?

  12. Lina (Posted on 1-18-2023 at 23:20) Reply

    There is a mistake in this sentence! She swam (swim) in a lake and she laid (lay) on the beach.
    It should be “lie” in the brackets and “lay” in the answer. The verb “lay” is transitive and doesn’t fit in here.

    1. mb Post author (Posted on 1-19-2023 at 15:51) Reply

      Thanks Lina! That mistake has been there forever. It’s funny that no one else mentioned it.

  13. Anastasia (Posted on 2-7-2023 at 08:18) Reply

    Another mistake:

    What was the last piece of clothing that you SHRANK?

    it corrects to shrunk which is the past participle form, not the past simple one

    1. Anastasia (Posted on 2-7-2023 at 08:48) Reply

      SHRUNK was common as the past simple form in Old English, but we’re not interested in history here, are we?)

  14. KAMAKSHI (Posted on 2-9-2023 at 00:41) Reply

    THIS HELPED ME A LOT TO BETTER MY CONCEPTS

  15. #unicorn123❤❤ (Posted on 2-13-2023 at 02:07) Reply

    toooo easy❤❤

  16. lotte (Posted on 3-16-2023 at 07:04) Reply

    super cool to use!

  17. anonymous (Posted on 11-18-2023 at 05:00) Reply

    Omg it’s help me so much ! My english teacher gave me this app for exercice me ! I really like this ! Thanks ;)

    1. anonymous (Posted on 11-18-2023 at 05:01) Reply

      it helps * sorry

  18. Gina (Posted on 11-28-2023 at 14:09) Reply

    Hi, I think there is a mistake in sentence 6 in the lesson Intermediate Level: Past Simple, Present Perfect, Past Perfect, and Passive Voice. The dog dug a hole instead of a whole.

    1. mb Post author (Posted on 11-29-2023 at 08:42) Reply

      Thanks Gina!

  19. ZeZany (Posted on 1-8-2024 at 08:37) Reply

    pretty good lesson, was given this during english class and i got most of them right :)

  20. Myrlande Pierre (Posted on 3-3-2024 at 06:44) Reply

    it’s was very helpful, thanks

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