Irregular verb are a type of verb in English (and in many other languages) that do not follow the regular pattern for verb conjugation, specifically in the formation of the past tense and past participle. Unlike regular verbs, which add "-ed" to the base form to create these forms, irregular verbs have unique and often unpredictable changes in their spelling when conjugated. Irregular verbs are called "irregular" because they do not conform to the standard rules for verb conjugation.
Here's a broad definition of irregular verbs:
Irregular verbs in English are verbs that deviate from the regular pattern of verb conjugation. Instead of adding "-ed" to the base form to create past tense and past participle forms, irregular verbs undergo distinct changes in spelling, making them unpredictable and requiring memorization of their specific forms. These unique conjugations are often preserved across all tenses and aspects.
For example, consider the irregular verb "go":
Base Form: go
Past Tense: went
Past Participle: gone
In this case, "went" and "gone" are irregular forms that do not follow the standard "-ed" pattern seen in regular verbs like "walked" or "talked."
Irregular verbs are an essential part of English grammar, and because they don't follow the standard rules, they require extra attention and practice for language learners to use them correctly in sentences. There are several common irregular verbs in English, and it's important to memorize their unique forms to communicate effectively.