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๐ Content updated on 21 April 2026
๐ Regular & Irregular Verbs – Quick Summary:
Regular verbs form their past tense by adding -ed, -d, or -ied (e.g., play → played, dance → danced). Irregular verbs change their spelling completely in past tense (e.g., go → went, eat → ate). There are no fixed rules for irregular verbs—they must be memorised.
๐ง๐ซ Instructions for Teachers & Students: Read each sentence and identify the past tense form of the given verb. Then decide whether the verb is regular or irregular. Click “Show Answer” for the correct past form, explanation, and a fresh example.
๐ง๐ซ Instructions for Teachers & Students: Read each sentence and identify the past tense form of the given verb. Then decide whether the verb is regular or irregular. Click “Show Answer” for the correct past form, explanation, and a fresh example.
In this worksheet:
(Click any topic to jump straight to that section)
Understanding regular and irregular past forms is key to speaking and writing correctly. For more on verbs, visit the
Verbs and Tenses hub.
Ready for present tense? The
Present Tense worksheet
will take your skills further.
✅ Solved Examples (20 Questions with Answers)
Study these examples to see how regular and irregular verbs change in the past.
Solved Q.1
Past tense of 'play'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: played (Regular)
Explanation: 'Play' adds -ed to form the past tense. Verbs that follow the -ed rule are called regular verbs.
Example: Yesterday we played cricket in the park.
Explanation: 'Play' adds -ed to form the past tense. Verbs that follow the -ed rule are called regular verbs.
Example: Yesterday we played cricket in the park.
Solved Q.2
Past tense of 'go'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: went (Irregular)
Explanation: 'Go' changes completely to 'went' in the past. There is no -ed ending. Verbs that change spelling are irregular.
Example: She went to the market alone.
Explanation: 'Go' changes completely to 'went' in the past. There is no -ed ending. Verbs that change spelling are irregular.
Example: She went to the market alone.
Solved Q.3
Past tense of 'dance'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: danced (Regular)
Explanation: 'Dance' ends in -e, so we only add -d to form the past. Still follows the regular pattern.
Example: The children danced joyfully at the party.
Explanation: 'Dance' ends in -e, so we only add -d to form the past. Still follows the regular pattern.
Example: The children danced joyfully at the party.
Solved Q.4
Past tense of 'eat'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: ate (Irregular)
Explanation: 'Eat' changes its vowel sound and spelling to 'ate'. This is an irregular change.
Example: He ate a delicious mango.
Explanation: 'Eat' changes its vowel sound and spelling to 'ate'. This is an irregular change.
Example: He ate a delicious mango.
Solved Q.5
Past tense of 'carry'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: carried (Regular)
Explanation: Verbs ending in consonant + y change y to i and add -ed. 'Carry' becomes 'carried'. It's a regular pattern.
Example: She carried the heavy bag upstairs.
Explanation: Verbs ending in consonant + y change y to i and add -ed. 'Carry' becomes 'carried'. It's a regular pattern.
Example: She carried the heavy bag upstairs.
Solved Q.6
Past tense of 'see'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: saw (Irregular)
Explanation: 'See' changes to 'saw' in past tense. This is an irregular verb with no pattern.
Example: We saw a beautiful rainbow yesterday.
Explanation: 'See' changes to 'saw' in past tense. This is an irregular verb with no pattern.
Example: We saw a beautiful rainbow yesterday.
Solved Q.7
Past tense of 'stop'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: stopped (Regular)
Explanation: 'Stop' doubles the final consonant 'p' and adds -ed because it's a short vowel + consonant. Regular rule.
Example: The bus stopped suddenly.
Explanation: 'Stop' doubles the final consonant 'p' and adds -ed because it's a short vowel + consonant. Regular rule.
Example: The bus stopped suddenly.
Solved Q.8
Past tense of 'buy'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: bought (Irregular)
Explanation: 'Buy' changes completely to 'bought'. The spelling and sound both change.
Example: Mother bought fresh vegetables.
Explanation: 'Buy' changes completely to 'bought'. The spelling and sound both change.
Example: Mother bought fresh vegetables.
Solved Q.9
Past tense of 'cry'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: cried (Regular)
Explanation: 'Cry' changes y to i and adds -ed. Follows the regular rule for consonant + y.
Example: The baby cried for milk.
Explanation: 'Cry' changes y to i and adds -ed. Follows the regular rule for consonant + y.
Example: The baby cried for milk.
Solved Q.10
Past tense of 'write'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: wrote (Irregular)
Explanation: 'Write' changes the vowel sound and spelling to 'wrote'. It is irregular.
Example: She wrote a letter to her grandmother.
Explanation: 'Write' changes the vowel sound and spelling to 'wrote'. It is irregular.
Example: She wrote a letter to her grandmother.
Solved Q.11
Past tense of 'plan'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: planned (Regular)
Explanation: 'Plan' doubles the final 'n' and adds -ed. Short vowel + single consonant rule.
Example: We planned a surprise for her birthday.
Explanation: 'Plan' doubles the final 'n' and adds -ed. Short vowel + single consonant rule.
Example: We planned a surprise for her birthday.
Solved Q.12
Past tense of 'run'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: ran (Irregular)
Explanation: 'Run' changes vowel to 'a' to form 'ran'. This is an irregular verb pattern.
Example: The athlete ran very fast.
Explanation: 'Run' changes vowel to 'a' to form 'ran'. This is an irregular verb pattern.
Example: The athlete ran very fast.
Solved Q.13
Past tense of 'enjoy'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: enjoyed (Regular)
Explanation: 'Enjoy' simply adds -ed. Vowel + y keeps the y. Regular verb.
Example: Everyone enjoyed the magic show.
Explanation: 'Enjoy' simply adds -ed. Vowel + y keeps the y. Regular verb.
Example: Everyone enjoyed the magic show.
Solved Q.14
Past tense of 'drink'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: drank (Irregular)
Explanation: 'Drink' changes to 'drank'. Vowel change pattern (i → a) for past tense.
Example: She drank a glass of cold water.
Explanation: 'Drink' changes to 'drank'. Vowel change pattern (i → a) for past tense.
Example: She drank a glass of cold water.
Solved Q.15
Past tense of 'drop'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: dropped (Regular)
Explanation: 'Drop' doubles the final 'p' and adds -ed. Regular spelling rule.
Example: He dropped his pencil on the floor.
Explanation: 'Drop' doubles the final 'p' and adds -ed. Regular spelling rule.
Example: He dropped his pencil on the floor.
Solved Q.16
Past tense of 'sing'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: sang (Irregular)
Explanation: 'Sing' changes vowel to 'a' for past tense. Irregular pattern.
Example: The choir sang beautifully.
Explanation: 'Sing' changes vowel to 'a' for past tense. Irregular pattern.
Example: The choir sang beautifully.
Solved Q.17
Past tense of 'try'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: tried (Regular)
Explanation: 'Try' changes y to i and adds -ed. Consonant + y rule.
Example: He tried his best to win.
Explanation: 'Try' changes y to i and adds -ed. Consonant + y rule.
Example: He tried his best to win.
Solved Q.18
Past tense of 'swim'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: swam (Irregular)
Explanation: 'Swim' changes vowel to 'a' for past tense. Irregular verb.
Example: They swam across the river.
Explanation: 'Swim' changes vowel to 'a' for past tense. Irregular verb.
Example: They swam across the river.
Solved Q.19
Past tense of 'close'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: closed (Regular)
Explanation: 'Close' ends in -e, so only -d is added. Regular verb.
Example: She closed the window because it was cold.
Explanation: 'Close' ends in -e, so only -d is added. Regular verb.
Example: She closed the window because it was cold.
Solved Q.20
Past tense of 'teach'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: taught (Irregular)
Explanation: 'Teach' changes completely to 'taught'. Spelling and sound change.
Example: My grandmother taught me to knit.
Explanation: 'Teach' changes completely to 'taught'. Spelling and sound change.
Example: My grandmother taught me to knit.
In Hindi, regular verbs follow similar patterns. Check out the
Kriya (Verb) Hub
to compare. For more tense practice, the
Past Tense worksheet
is an excellent next resource.
✏️ Practice Questions (20 Questions with Answers)
Test yourself. Give the past tense of each verb and say if it's regular or irregular.
Practice Q.1
Past tense of 'walk'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: walked (Regular)
Explanation: 'Walk' adds -ed. Regular verb.
Example: They walked to school together.
Explanation: 'Walk' adds -ed. Regular verb.
Example: They walked to school together.
Practice Q.2
Past tense of 'come'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: came (Irregular)
Explanation: 'Come' changes to 'came'. No -ed.
Example: All the guests came on time.
Explanation: 'Come' changes to 'came'. No -ed.
Example: All the guests came on time.
Practice Q.3
Past tense of 'hurry'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: hurried (Regular)
Explanation: 'Hurry' changes y to i and adds -ed.
Example: She hurried to catch the bus.
Explanation: 'Hurry' changes y to i and adds -ed.
Example: She hurried to catch the bus.
Practice Q.4
Past tense of 'give'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: gave (Irregular)
Explanation: 'Give' changes to 'gave'. Irregular pattern.
Example: He gave me a beautiful gift.
Explanation: 'Give' changes to 'gave'. Irregular pattern.
Example: He gave me a beautiful gift.
Practice Q.5
Past tense of 'hop'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: hopped (Regular)
Explanation: 'Hop' doubles the 'p' and adds -ed.
Example: The frog hopped into the pond.
Explanation: 'Hop' doubles the 'p' and adds -ed.
Example: The frog hopped into the pond.
Practice Q.6
Past tense of 'sleep'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: slept (Irregular)
Explanation: 'Sleep' changes vowel and adds -t sound.
Example: The baby slept peacefully.
Explanation: 'Sleep' changes vowel and adds -t sound.
Example: The baby slept peacefully.
Practice Q.7
Past tense of 'study'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: studied (Regular)
Explanation: 'Study' changes y to i and adds -ed.
Example: We studied for the test together.
Explanation: 'Study' changes y to i and adds -ed.
Example: We studied for the test together.
Practice Q.8
Past tense of 'begin'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: began (Irregular)
Explanation: 'Begin' changes vowel to 'a' in past.
Example: The show began exactly at seven.
Explanation: 'Begin' changes vowel to 'a' in past.
Example: The show began exactly at seven.
Practice Q.9
Past tense of 'chat'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: chatted (Regular)
Explanation: 'Chat' doubles the 't' and adds -ed.
Example: We chatted for hours.
Explanation: 'Chat' doubles the 't' and adds -ed.
Example: We chatted for hours.
Practice Q.10
Past tense of 'throw'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: threw (Irregular)
Explanation: 'Throw' changes to 'threw'. Irregular spelling.
Example: He threw the ball to the wicket-keeper.
Explanation: 'Throw' changes to 'threw'. Irregular spelling.
Example: He threw the ball to the wicket-keeper.
Practice Q.11
Past tense of 'love'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: loved (Regular)
Explanation: 'Love' ends in -e, so add -d.
Example: She loved the surprise party.
Explanation: 'Love' ends in -e, so add -d.
Example: She loved the surprise party.
Practice Q.12
Past tense of 'fly'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: flew (Irregular)
Explanation: 'Fly' changes to 'flew'. Irregular vowel change.
Example: The bird flew away.
Explanation: 'Fly' changes to 'flew'. Irregular vowel change.
Example: The bird flew away.
Practice Q.13
Past tense of 'fry'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: fried (Regular)
Explanation: 'Fry' changes y to i and adds -ed.
Example: Mother fried some pakoras.
Explanation: 'Fry' changes y to i and adds -ed.
Example: Mother fried some pakoras.
Practice Q.14
Past tense of 'think'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: thought (Irregular)
Explanation: 'Think' changes to 'thought'. Irregular ending.
Example: I thought about the problem carefully.
Explanation: 'Think' changes to 'thought'. Irregular ending.
Example: I thought about the problem carefully.
Practice Q.15
Past tense of 'slip'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: slipped (Regular)
Explanation: 'Slip' doubles the 'p' and adds -ed.
Example: The glass slipped from her hand.
Explanation: 'Slip' doubles the 'p' and adds -ed.
Example: The glass slipped from her hand.
Practice Q.16
Past tense of 'break'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: broke (Irregular)
Explanation: 'Break' changes vowel to 'o' in past.
Example: The plate broke into pieces.
Explanation: 'Break' changes vowel to 'o' in past.
Example: The plate broke into pieces.
Practice Q.17
Past tense of 'marry'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: married (Regular)
Explanation: 'Marry' changes y to i and adds -ed.
Example: They married in a beautiful ceremony.
Explanation: 'Marry' changes y to i and adds -ed.
Example: They married in a beautiful ceremony.
Practice Q.18
Past tense of 'speak'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: spoke (Irregular)
Explanation: 'Speak' changes vowel to 'o' in past.
Example: The principal spoke to the students.
Explanation: 'Speak' changes vowel to 'o' in past.
Example: The principal spoke to the students.
Practice Q.19
Past tense of 'travel'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: travelled (Regular)
Explanation: 'Travel' doubles the 'l' in British English, adds -ed. Regular pattern.
Example: We travelled by train last summer.
Explanation: 'Travel' doubles the 'l' in British English, adds -ed. Regular pattern.
Example: We travelled by train last summer.
Practice Q.20
Past tense of 'take'? Regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: took (Irregular)
Explanation: 'Take' changes to 'took'. Irregular vowel change.
Example: She took her umbrella because it looked cloudy.
Explanation: 'Take' changes to 'took'. Irregular vowel change.
Example: She took her umbrella because it looked cloudy.
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๐ Challenge Questions (10 Questions with Answers)
These are a bit trickier. Think carefully about the past forms and their patterns.
Challenge Q.1
"She has begin her homework." Correct the underlined verb to past tense and state if regular or irregular.
Show Answer
Answer: began (Irregular)
Explanation: 'Begin' is irregular; past tense is 'began'. (Note: with 'has' it would be 'begun', but sentence calls for simple past.)
Example: The race began promptly at noon.
Explanation: 'Begin' is irregular; past tense is 'began'. (Note: with 'has' it would be 'begun', but sentence calls for simple past.)
Example: The race began promptly at noon.
Challenge Q.2
Give the past tense of 'lie' (to recline) and 'lie' (to tell an untruth). Which is regular?
Show Answer
Answer: lay (irregular); lied (regular)
Explanation: 'Lie' (recline) → lay (irregular). 'Lie' (untruth) → lied (regular). Different meanings, different past forms.
Example: He lay down for a nap. She lied about her age.
Explanation: 'Lie' (recline) → lay (irregular). 'Lie' (untruth) → lied (regular). Different meanings, different past forms.
Example: He lay down for a nap. She lied about her age.
Challenge Q.3
"The wind blow fiercely last night." Correct the verb and identify type.
Show Answer
Answer: blew (Irregular)
Explanation: 'Blow' changes to 'blew' in past tense. Irregular vowel change.
Example: She blew out the candles.
Explanation: 'Blow' changes to 'blew' in past tense. Irregular vowel change.
Example: She blew out the candles.
Challenge Q.4
Which of these verbs is regular: 'cut', 'put', 'hit'? Explain.
Show Answer
Answer: None are regular in the usual sense—they are irregular but stay the same.
Explanation: 'Cut', 'put', 'hit' have the same form in present and past. They are irregular (no -ed added) but easy to remember.
Example: Yesterday I cut the paper. She put the book away.
Explanation: 'Cut', 'put', 'hit' have the same form in present and past. They are irregular (no -ed added) but easy to remember.
Example: Yesterday I cut the paper. She put the book away.
Challenge Q.5
Past tense of 'hang' when meaning 'to suspend' vs 'to execute'.
Show Answer
Answer: hung (suspend); hanged (execute)
Explanation: 'Hang' has two past forms: 'hung' for objects (regular pattern? actually irregular), 'hanged' for people (regular in form).
Example: She hung the painting. The criminal was hanged.
Explanation: 'Hang' has two past forms: 'hung' for objects (regular pattern? actually irregular), 'hanged' for people (regular in form).
Example: She hung the painting. The criminal was hanged.
Challenge Q.6
"He weared a red shirt yesterday." Correct the verb and identify type.
Show Answer
Answer: wore (Irregular)
Explanation: 'Wear' is irregular; past tense is 'wore'. 'Weared' is incorrect.
Example: She wore a beautiful saree.
Explanation: 'Wear' is irregular; past tense is 'wore'. 'Weared' is incorrect.
Example: She wore a beautiful saree.
Challenge Q.7
"The little boy clinged to his mother." Correct the verb.
Show Answer
Answer: clung (Irregular)
Explanation: 'Cling' is irregular; past tense is 'clung' (vowel change to u).
Example: The wet shirt clung to his back.
Explanation: 'Cling' is irregular; past tense is 'clung' (vowel change to u).
Example: The wet shirt clung to his back.
Challenge Q.8
Is 'read' (past tense) regular or irregular? How is it pronounced?
Show Answer
Answer: Irregular (same spelling, different pronunciation: red)
Explanation: 'Read' (present: reed) past is 'read' (pronounced red). No -ed, so irregular.
Example: I read (red) that book last year.
Explanation: 'Read' (present: reed) past is 'read' (pronounced red). No -ed, so irregular.
Example: I read (red) that book last year.
Challenge Q.9
"She sended me a letter." Correct the verb and identify type.
Show Answer
Answer: sent (Irregular)
Explanation: 'Send' is irregular; past tense is 'sent'. The -d changes to -t.
Example: We sent invitations to all our friends.
Explanation: 'Send' is irregular; past tense is 'sent'. The -d changes to -t.
Example: We sent invitations to all our friends.
Challenge Q.10
"The bell had rang before we entered." Correct the verb form for past perfect.
Show Answer
Answer: rung (Irregular past participle)
Explanation: 'Ring' has past 'rang' and past participle 'rung'. With 'had', use 'rung'.
Example: The phone had rung several times.
Explanation: 'Ring' has past 'rang' and past participle 'rung'. With 'had', use 'rung'.
Example: The phone had rung several times.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Quick answers about regular and irregular verbs.
FAQ 1
What is a regular verb?
Show Answer
Answer: A regular verb forms its past tense by adding -ed, -d, or -ied to the base form. Examples: play → played, dance → danced, cry → cried.
FAQ 2
What is an irregular verb?
Show Answer
Answer: An irregular verb does not follow the -ed rule. Its past tense changes in spelling and often sound. Examples: go → went, eat → ate, buy → bought.
FAQ 3
How do I know if a verb is regular or irregular?
Show Answer
Answer: There is no easy rule—you must learn irregular verbs by heart. Regular verbs are predictable. Practice and reading help memorise irregular forms.
FAQ 4
What is the past tense of 'read'?
Show Answer
Answer: The past tense of 'read' is 'read', but it is pronounced 'red'. It is an irregular verb because it does not add -ed.
FAQ 5
Give five common irregular verbs and their past forms.
Show Answer
Answer: go → went, see → saw, take → took, come → came, give → gave.
