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IRREGULAR VERBS IN MODERN ENGLISH

Historically regular because of the dental ( I VIII )

(I). A < d > is added, and the vowel of the base changes:

FLEE: to leave somewhere very quickly in order to escape from danger. To run away. Huir de.

Flee [fli:] (formal) Fled[fled] Fled[fled]

Fly [fl] (obsolescent in the sense run away, being replaced by expressions such as take flight)

GAINSAY: to say that something is not true, or to disagree with someone. Formal. Contradecir, negar.

Gainsay [gense] Gainsaid[gensed] Gainsaid[gensed]

[gensed] [gensed]

* c.f. Have

HEAR: to know that a sound is being made using your ears. Oir.

Hear[h] Heard[h:d] Heard[h:d]

PAY : Pagar.

Pay [pe] Paid[ped] Paid[ped]

SAY: to pronounce a word or sound. Decir.

Say [se] Said[sed] Said[sed]

*Says [sez] c.f. Have.

SELL: to give something to someone in exchange for money. Vender.

Sell [sel] Sold[sld] Sold[sld]

SHOE: Herrar. /Shoe with : Calzarse

Shoe [u:] Shod[d] Shod[d]

TELL: Contar, decir.

Tell [tel] Told[tld] Told[tld]

(II). A < d > is added, but a consonant of the base is omitted and the vowel of the base is changed. There is a

greater change of the base than in (I) (PPV)

CAN : Poder, saber.

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Can [kn] Could[kd]

* The basic form of most verbs can function as: (a) Infinitive, (b) Present indicative with the exception of the

3rd person singular, (c) Imperative, (d) Subjunctive. But the verbs CAN, MAY, MUST, OUGHT, SHALL,

WILL can only function as (b) Present... Various expressions are used for the corresponding infinitives: BE

ABLE TO, HAVE TO, BE OBLIGED TO, WANT TO, BE UNDER AN OBLIGATION TO, HAVE THE WILL

TO.

* The verbs CAN, MAY, MUST, OUGHT, SHALL, WILL do not add a suffix in the 3rd person singular; thesame applies to DAREand NEED when followed by an infinitive without to.

* The verbs CAN, MAY, MUST, OUGHT, SHALL, WILL have no Past Participle. For semantically

corresponding P.P.s various expressions are resorted to, such as: BEEN ABLE TO, BEEN ALLOWED TO,

HAD TO, WANTED TO, and the like.

CLOTHE : Vestir/ cubrir, revestir./Clothe in/with: Vestir de/ cubrir, revestir de.

Clothe [kl] Clothed[kld] Clothed[kld]

Clad[kld] Clad[kld]

* In the sense coveror provide clothes forthe verb is regularly inflected. But used as a mannered expression

instead ofdress i.e. of the appearance of the clothing it is irregularly inflected: poorly clad. In addition

Cladoccurs in many combinations, such as snowclad.

HAVE : Tener, haber.

Have [hv] Had[hd] Had[hd]

* The addition of s is combined with a sound change in the verbs HAVE, DO, SAYthe 3rd person present

being HAS[hz], DOES[dz], SAYS[sez].

N.B. GAINSAYSis regular [gensez].

MAKE : Hacer.

Make [mek] Made [med] Made [med]

SHALL : Used to form 1st person in future tense and questions.

Shall [l] Should[d]

* c.f. Can

WILL : Auxiliar para formar el tiempo futuro/ wish (querer).

Will [wl] Would[wd]

* c.f. Can.

WONT : To be wont to do sth : soler hacer algo, acostumbrar a hacer algo.(Be used to). It is in the same group

as modals.

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Be wont[wnt]/[wnt] Was/Were wont Been wont

* Wonted[wntd] adj. : acostumbrado.

(III). A < t > is added after nasal or liquid [l,r]. These verbs can have the < t > or be completely regular.

BURN : Quemar/ estar deseando hacer algo.

Burn [b:n] Burnt[b:nt] Burnt[b:nt]

Burned[b:nd]

* The regular preterite is common in the sense longed to (estar deseando hacer algo) : She burned to ask

where the boy lived. (In American English this verb is usually regularly inflected.). c.f. Dream.

DWELL: Morar, vivir./Dwell on/upon: dar vueltas a (think about), hacer hincapi en.

Dwell [dwel] Dwelt [dwelt] Dwelt [dwelt]

LEARN: Aprender.

Learn [l:n] Learnt[l:nt] Learnt[l:nt]

Learned[l:nd] Learned[l:nd]

* Learned: Adjective (person) docto, erudito.

SMELL : Oler.

Smell [smel] Smelt[smelt] Smelt[smelt]

Smelled[smeld] Smelled[smeld]

*SMELT: Fundir

Smelt[smelt] Smelted[smeltd] Smelted[smeltd]

SPELL : Escribir, deletrear.

Spell [spel] Spelt[spelt] Spelt[spelt]

Spelled[speld] Spelled[speld]

SPILL : Derramar, verter.

Spill [spl] Spilt[splt] Spilt[splt]

Spilled[spld] Spilled[splt]

* Only the Past Participle form Spiltis used as the attributive adjective : Cry over spilt milk.

SPOIL : Estropear, arruinar, daar, invalidar/ mimar, consentir.

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Spoil [spl] Spoilt[splt] Spoilt[splt]

Spoiled[spld] Spoiled[spld]

* In the old sense plunder, rob, the verb is regular: they spoiled the town. In its other sense the verb has both

forms. As the attributive adjective spoilt: a spoilt child.

SWELL : Hinchar(se), inflar(se).

Swell [swel] Swelled[sweld] Swollen [swln]

Swelled[sweld]

* In the verbal function the Past Participle swollen is commoner than swelled. As the adjective swollen is the

usual form. Note the difference between a swollen head, with the literal value, and a swelled headof

conceit(vanidad, presuncin, engreimiento).

(IV). A < t > is added and < d > disappears (verbs ending in < d >) and the vowel of the base remains. This

is a typical characteristic of WestMidlands.

BEND : Doblar(se), inclinar(se), curvar, combar.

Bend[bend] Bent[bent] Bent[bent]

* The regular Past Participle is however to be found in the archaic phrase on bended[bendd] knees. ( de

rodillas).

BLEND : Mezclar, combinar./To blend with: armonizarse con./To blend into: fundirse con. (colores).

Blend[blend] Blended[blendd] Blended[blendd]

Blent[blent] Blent[blent]

* The normal forms are those in ed, but forms in tare still to be found in literary English.

BUILD : Construir, preparar, hacer.

Build[bld] Built[blt] Built[blt]

GILD : Dorar./To gild the lily: Embellecer lo perfecto.

Gild[gld] Gilded[gldd] Gilded[gldd]

Gilt[glt]

* In its verbal function only the regular inflection. As attributive adjectives the Past Participle forms are used

as follows: Literary, gilt. Metaphorically and formally, gilded.

GIRD : Ceir, rodear.

Gird[g:d] Girded[g:dd] Girded[g:dd]

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Girt[g:t] Girt[g:t]

* The irregular forms are now found only in formal English.

LEND : Prestar, dejar.

Lend[lend] Lent[lent] Lent[lent]

REND : Rasgar, desgarrar./ Hender(partir).

Rend[rend] Rent[rent] Rent[rent]

SEND : Mandar, enviar.

Send[send] Sent[sent] Sent[sent]

SPEND : Gastar, dedicar, pasar, agotar.

Spend[spend] Spent[spent] Spent[spent]

(V). A < t > is added but the vowel changes. The vowel of Preterite was closed because it was in closed

position and did not suffer GVS.

BLESS : Bendecir.

Bless [bles] Blessed[blesd] Blessed[blesd]

Blest[blest] Blest[blest]

* In its verbal function the P.P. is regular. As and adjective the P.P. form Blessedis used, whereas Blestis

used in the sense heavenly or saved.

(BE)REAVE : Privar.

Bereave [bri:v] Bereft[breft] Bereft[breft]

* When the verb is used of matters other than death only this inflection is found: Bereft. Of death, Bereaved

[bri:vd] is often used; thus always adjectivally. With the verbal function there is some uncertainty.

CLEAVE : Split. Partir, surcar.

Cleave [kli:v] Clove [klv] Cloven [klvn]Belongs also to Group (XI).

Cleft[kleft] Cleft[kleft]

Cleaved[kli:vd] Cleaved[kli:vd]

* Cloven foot/hoof ; Cleft palate/In a cleft stick.

CLEAVE : Stick. Adherirse a.

Cleave [kli:v] Cleaved[kli:vd] Cleaved[kli:vd]

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Clave

CREEP : Deslizarse, arrastrarse, trepar./ (person) Ir cautelosamente, ir muy despacio.

Creep [kri:p] Crept[krept] Crept[krept]

DEAL : Asestar, dar./ (cards) Deal out: Dar, repartir./Deal in: comerciar con, negociar con./Deal with: tratar

con.

Deal [di:l] Dealt[delt] (!) Dealt[delt] (!)

DREAM: Soar.

Dream [dri:m] Dreamt[dremt] (!) Dreamt[dremt] (!)

Dreamed[dremt][dri:md] Dreamed[dremt][dri:md]

* Many verbs with both regular and irregular Preterite and P.P. forms: the supplanting of the irregular forms

by the regular applies more in the Preterite than in the P.P. (Dream, burn, lean, broadcast...)

* In the sense imagine, believe, the regular form ofdream is normally used.

FEEL : Tocar, sentir./ Sentirse, encontrarse./Feel out: tantear./Feel sb up: meter mano a alguien.

Feel [fi:l] Felt[felt] Felt[felt]

KEEP : Guardar, quedarse con./ Mantener./ Seguir.

Keep [ki:p] Kept[kept] Kept[kept]

KNEEL : Arrodillarse, estar de rodillas./Kneel to: hincar la rodilla ante alguien.

Kneel [ni:l] Knelt[nelt] Knelt[nelt]

Kneeled[ni:ld] Kneeled[ni:ld]

* The irregular form is commoner than the regular.

LEAN : Inclinarse, ladearse./ Apoyar(se).

Lean [li:n] Leant[lent] Leant[lent]

Leaned[li:nd][lent] Leaned[li:nd][lent]

* c.f. Dream.

LEAP : Saltar.

Leap [li:p] Leapt[lept] Leapt[lept]

Leaped[lept][li:pt] Leaped[lept][li:pt]

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LEAVE : Dejar, marcharse de, salir de, abandonar./To be left: quedar.

Leave [li:v] Left[left] Left[left]

LOSE : Perder.

Lose [lu:z] Lost[lst] Lost[lst]

MEAN : Significar, querer decir./ Suponer.

Mean [mi:n] Meant[ment] Meant[ment]

SLEEP : Dormir./ (Accommodate) Haber/tener cama.

Sleep [sli:p] Slept[slept] Slept[slept]

SWEEP : Barrer, deshollinar.

Sweep [swi:p] Swept[swept] Swept[swept]

WEEP : Llorar./ (Med. wound) Supurar.

Weep [wi:p] Wept[wept] Wept[wept]

(VI). A < t > is added with a greater change of the base than in (V). weak verbs I subdivision 3 (C).

BESEECH : Suplicar. (To beseech sb to do sth)

Beseech [bsi:t] Besought[bs:t] Besought[bs:t]

BRING : Traer, llevar, conducir (person).

Bring [br] Brought[br:t] Brought[br:t]

BUY : Comprar.

Buy [b] Bought[b:t] Bought[b:t]

CATCH : Coger, agarrar, pillar./ Engancharse, enredarse.

Catch [kt] Caught[k:t] Caught[k:t]

DARE : Desafiar, retar./ Atreverse.

Dare [de] Dared[ded] Dared[ded]

Durst[d:st]

* The irregular Preterite is used only in archaic language. c.f. Can.

MAY : Modal aux. (of possibility)./ (of permission) Poder.

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COST : Costar, valer./Cost out: presupuestar.

Cost[kst] Cost[kst] Cost[kst]

COST : Calcular el coste/presupuesto de.

Cost[kst] Costed[kstd] Costed[kstd]

CUT : Apagar el motor, rebajar, cortar./ Cruzarse, cortarse.

Cut[kt] Cut[kt] Cut[kt]

FORECAST : Prever, pronosticar.

Forecast[f:ka:st] Forecast[f:ka:st] Forecast[f:ka:st]

Forecasted[f:ka:std] Forecasted[f:ka:std]

HIT : Pegar, golpear, daar, chocar./ Alcanzar, dar con./To hit the front page/the headlines: salir en primera

plana. To hit the papers: salir en el peridico.

Hit[ht] Hit[ht] Hit[ht]

HURT : Hacer dao a, lastimar, perjudicar./ Doler, sufrir.

Hurt[h:t] Hurt[h:t] Hurt[h:t]

KNIT : Tricotar, tejer./ Hacer punto o calceta./ (bones) Soldarse. (wound) curarse, cerrarse.

Knit[nt] Knit[nt] Knit[nt]

Knitted[ntd] Knitted[ntd]

* Regular in the literal sense; metaphorically generally irregular. ( they are closely knit in friendship )

LET : Dejar, permitir./ Forming imperative: Let's./ Alquilar, arrendar./ (blood) Sacar.

Let[let] Let[let] Let[let]

MUST : Deber, tener que.

Must[mst] Must[mst]

* c.f. Can.

OUGHT : (moral obligation) Deber./ (probabilidad)

Ought[:t] Ought[:t] * c.f. Can.

PUT : Poner, colocar, introducir.

Put[pt] Put[pt] Put[pt]

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QUIT : Dejar de hacer algo./ Abandonar, salir de./ Irse, marcharse (esp. U.S.A)

Quit[kwt] Quit[kwt] Quit[kwt]

Quitted[kwtd] Quitted[kwtd]

* Now nearly always regular in standard English; but the Preterite and P.P. Quitare found in dialect and

American.

RID : Be rid of sth/sb.: librarse de./Get rid of: deshacerse de.

Rid[rd] Rid[rd] Rid[rd]

Ridded[rdd]

SET : Poner, colocar, componer, fijar, establecer.

Set[set] Set[set] Set[set]

SHED : Despojarse de, mudar piel, derramar lgrimas...

Shed[ed] Shed[ed] Shed[ed]

SHRED : Hacer trizas, hacer tiras, deshilar, triturar.

Shred[red] Shredded[redd] Shredded[redd]

Shred[red] Shred[red]

SHUT : Cerrar(se).

Shut[t] Shut[t] Shut[t]

SLIT : Cortar, abrir. (Sliteyed: de ojos rasgados)

Slit[slt] Slit[slt] Slit[slt]

SPLIT : Partir(se), hender, dividir.

Split[splt] Split[splt] Split[splt]

SPREAD : Extender, tender./ Esparcir./ Untar./ Propagarse.

Spread[spred] Spread[spred] Spread[spred]

SWEAT : Sudar, transpirar./ Rehogar(verduras)

Sweat[swet] Sweat[swet] Sweat[swet]

Sweated[swetd] Sweated[swetd]

* In English almost entirely the regular inflection, but in American the irregular forms are common.

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THRUST : Empujar, introducir, clavar.

Thrust[rst] Thrust[rst] Thrust[rst]

WED : Desposarse, casarse.

Wed[wed] Wed[wed] Wed[wed]

Wedded[wedd] Wedded[wedd]

* In American Wedis found both as the Preterite and the P.P.; in English the irregular form can be found,

particularly in formal language.

(VIII). Ending in < d,t > , but the vowel changes. Historical long vowel in the Present, short vowel in the

past (because it's in closed position).

BLEED : Sangrar./ (colores) diluirse./Bleed sb. Dry/white: chupar la sangre a alguien.

Bleed[bli:d] Bled[bled] Bled[bled]

BREED : Criar./ Crear, engendrar./ Reproducirse, procrear (animales).

Breed[bri:d] Bred[bred] Bred[bred]

FEED : Dar de comer, alimentar./ Suministrar./ meter.

Feed[fi:d] Fed[fed] Fed[fed]

LEAD : Llevar, conducir, dirigir.

Lead[li:d] Led[led] Led[led]

MEET : Quedar con, verse con./ Conocer./ Satisfacer, cubrir./ Reunirse.

Meet[mi:t] Met[met] Met[met]

READ : Leer, decir, estudiar.

Read[ri:d] Read[red] Read[red]

SPEED : Correr a toda prisa, darse prisa, apresurarse.

Speed[spi:d] Sped[sped] Sped[sped]

Speeded[spi:dd] Speeded[spi:dd]

* In the sense succeedthis veb is always irregularly inflected. Both forms are used of rapid movement. In the

special sense increase the speed (of) only the regularly inflected forms are used.

Historically strong verbs there is no consonantal addition, only change of vowel ( IX XIII )

(IX). The same vowel in Preterite and P.P.

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ABIDE : Aguantar, soportar./ Morar, permanecer, continuar./Abide by: atenerse a, obrar de acuerdo con,

cumplir con.

Abide [bd] Abode [bd] Abode [bd]

* This verb is used archaically in the sense dwell, remain; but regularly inflected in the combination abide by

= be true to.

BEHOLD : Contemplar.

Behold[bhld] Beheld[bheld] Beheld[bheld]

Beholden [bhldn]

* A number of verbs have two P.P. forms, one with the ending en, one without. In many cases the en forms

have only an adjectival function and in some it differs considerably in content from the verb. This applies to

the old P.P. of this verb, Beholden, which is found only functioning as a predicative adjective.( the use of

Much as an intensive adverb is however a reminder of the verbal origin of the word).

BIND : Atar, sujetar./ Rodear, ceir./ Vendar./ Encuadernar./To bind sb. to sth. : obligar a alguien a cumplircon algo./ Unir, trabar, cuajarse.

Bind[bnd] Bound[bnd] Bound[bnd]

* The P.P. Bounden is now used only in the phrase Bounden duty.

CLING : Agarrarse, aferrarse, pegarse.

Cling [kl] Clung [kl] Clung [kl]

DIG : Cavar./ Cultivar./ Meter, aadir.

Dig [dg] Dug [dg] Dug [dg]

FIGHT : Combatir, luchar contra./ Discutir, pelear.

Fight[ft] Fought[f:t] Fought[f:t]

FIND : Encontrar.

Find[fnd] Found[fnd] Found[fnd]

* FOUND : Fundar./ fundamentar, basar.

Found[fnd] Founded[fndd] Founded[fndd]

* FOUND : Fundir.

Found[fnd] Founded[fndd] Founded[fndd]

FLING : Arrojar, tirar, lanzar.

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Fling [fl] Flung [fl] Flung [fl]

GRIND : Moler, machacar, picar, pulverizar./ Afilar./ (machine) Funcionar con dificultad.

Grind[grnd] Ground[grnd] Ground[grnd]

HANG : Colgar./ Adornar./ Ahorcar.

Hang [h] Hung [h] Hung [h]

Hanged[hd] Hanged[hd]

* Regular inflection only of execution.

HEAVE : Tirar, jalar, arrastrar, llevar, levantar, empujar/ Subir y bajar./ Palpitar/ Hacer arcadas/ (Naut.)

Virar, cabecear, balancearse, aparecer.

Heave [hi:v] Heaved[hi:vd] Heaved[hi:vd]

Hove [hv]

* The irregular forms are found only in nautical language. Otherwise regular.

HOLD : Tener, sujetar, coger, agarar/ Mantener, sostener/ Retener, guardar/Soportar.

Hold[hld] Held[held] Held[held]

LIGHT : Encender, prender, iluminar.

Light[lt] Lit[lt] Lit[lt]

Lighted[ltd] Lighted[ltd]

* In the literal sense the regular and irregular forms are both common. As an attributive adjective in the literal

sense the regular P.P. form is the more usual. Metaphorically the verb is mostly irregularly inflected. Likewise

in many combinations. Light = settle also has both forms.

SIT : Sentarse, estar sentado/To sit for sb/sth: Posar/To sit for an exam: Presentarse an un examen/ Estar

situado/ Caer, sentar/ Poner, colocar.

Sit[st] Sat[st] Sat[st]

SHINE : Brillar, relucir/ Alumbrar/ Sacarle brillo a, limpiar.

Shine [n] Shone [n] Shone [n]

SHOOT : Pegar un tiro a, disparar/ Cazar/ Lanzar, arrojar/ Marcar/ Rodar, filmar/ Chutarse/ Moverse muy

rpido/ Brotar, germinar.

Shoot[u:t] Shot[t] Shot[t]

SLIDE : Deslizar, correr, pasar/ Resbalar, deslizarse.

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Slide [sld] Slid[sld] Slid[sld]

SLING : Tirar, lanzar, arrojar/ Tirar a la basura/ Colgar.

Sling [sl] Slung [sl] Slung [sl]

SLINK : Slink away/off: Escabullirse, zafarse.

Slink[slk] Slunk[slk] Slunk[slk]

SPIN : Hacer girar, hacer bailar/ Centrifugar/ Darle efecto (ball)/ Hilar, tejer.

Spin [spn] Spun [spn] Spun [spn]

Span [spn]

* The Preterite Span is now archaic.

* TO SPAN : Abarcar/ Cruzar.

Span [spn] Spanned[spnd] Spanned[spnd]

SPIT : Escupir/ (Oil) Chisporrotear/ (Cat) Bufar.

Spit[spt] Spat[spt] Spat[spt]

* TO SPIT : Ensartar en el asador, en el espetn.

Spit[spt] Spitted[sptd] Spitted[sptd]

STAND : Estar de pie, estar parado/ Poner(se), colocar/ Seguir vigente/ Aguantar, soportar/ Invitar a.

Stand[stnd] Stood[std] Stood[std]

STAVE : To stave in : Desfondar.

Stave [stev] Stove [stv] Stove [stv]

* To stave off: Evitar, aplazar, posponer.

Stave [stev] Staved[stevd] Staved[stevd]

STICK : Pegar, clavar, poner/ Aguantar, soportar/ Atascar(se).

Stick[stk] Stuck[stk] Stuck[stk]

STING : Picar/ Hacer escocer, hacer arder/ Herir profundamente.

Sting [st] Stung [st] Stung [st]

STRIKE : Golpear, pegar/ Pulsar/ Chocar/ Atacar/ Encontrar/ Encender/ Suprimir/ Ocurrir/ Hacer huelga.

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Sunken [skn]

* The P.P. sunken is generally used as the attributive adjective, but it does occur predicatively. Sunken has no

passive value, this being expressed by sunk.

SPRING : Saltar/ Surgir, nacer, brotar/ Sacar de la crcel, ayudar a fugarse.

Spring [spr] Sprang [spr] Sprung [spr]

Sprung [spr]

STINK : Apestar.

Stink[stk] Stank[stk] Stunk[stk]

Stunk[stk]

SWIM : Nadar, flotar/ Dar vueltas.

Swim [swm] Swam [swm] Swum [swm]

(XI). Historical suffix en in Past Participle.

ARISE : Levantarse, surgir.

Arise [rz] Arose [rz] Arisen [rzn]

AWAKE : Despertar(se).

Awake [wek] Awoke [wk] Awoke(n) [wk(n)]

Awaked[wekt] (archaic) Awaked[wekt]

* The Preterite Awakedis archaic. In the P.P. Awoke is not common, and Awoken is regarded as incorrect;

compare what is said ofWake.

BEAR : Aguantar, resistir/ Llevar, portar/ Dar (fruto)/ Dar a luz/ Torcer.

Bear[be] Bore [b:] Born [b:n]

Borne [b:n]

* In connection with birth the P.P. is normally spelt born; in other senses, and of birth when the verb has an

object or is followed in the passive construction by the converted subject, the spelling is borne.

* TO BORE: Aburrir(se).

Bore [b:] Bored[b:d] Bored[b:d]

* TO BORE: Perforar, taladrar.

Bore [b:] Bored[b:d] Bored[b:d]

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BEAT : Golpear, sacudir, batir/ Derrotar, vencer/ Anticipar(se) a/ Latir, palpitar, redoblar.

Beat[bi:t] Beat[bi:t] Beaten [bi:tn]

* The P.P. Beatis now considered incorrect, but survives in the combination Deadbeat.

BEFALL : Suceder(le) a, ocurrir(le) (a).

Befall [bf:l] Befell [bfel] Befallen [bf:ln]

BESPEAK: Apalabrar.

Bespeak[bspi:k] Bespoke [bspk] Bespoken [bspkn]

* The P.P. Bespoke is also found, used as the opposite of readymade.

BESTRIDE : Montar a horcajadas/(stream) Cruzar de un tranco/(fig.) Dominar.

Bestride [bstrd] Bestrode [bstrd] Bestridden [bstrdn]

BETAKE : To betake oneself to = dirigirse a ; trasladarse a.

Betake [btek] Betook[btk] Betaken [btekn]

BID : Pujar, hacer una oferta.

Bid[bd] Bid[bd] Bid[bd]

* Used thus in the sense Make a bid, but otherwise inflected:

BID : Mandar/To bid sb. good morning: dar los buenos das a alguien.

Bid[bd] Bade [bd]/[bed](AmE) Bidden [bdn]

* The P.P. Bidis however also used in this sense in the expression Do as you are bid.

BITE : Morder, picar/ Agarrar, calar en/ Cortar (wind)/ Corroer (acid).

Bite [bt] Bit[bt] Bitten [btn]

* The P.P. Bit, however, in the Biter bit.

BLOW : Soplar/ Fundir, quemar, reventar, explotar/ Volar/ Despilfarrar/ Largarse de/ Chupar, mamar.

Blow [bl] Blew [blu:] Blown [bln]

Blowed[bld]

* The P.P. Blowed(slang) = Damned.

BREAK : Romper/ Infringir, violar, no cumplir/ Poner fin a/ Arruinar a/ Forzar/ Parar, hacer una pausa.

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Break[brek] Broke [brk] Broken [brkn]

* The P.P. Broke = ruined is found in colloquial speech.

CHIDE : Reprender.

Chide [td] Chid[td] Chidden [tdn]

Chid[td]

Chided[tdd] Chided[tdd]

* Regular inflected forms of this verb are preferred in American English.

CHOOSE : Elegir, escoger.

Choose [tu:z] Chose [tz] Chosen [tzn]

CLEAVE : Split. Partir, surcar.

Cleave [kli:v] Clove [klv] Cloven [klvn]

CROW : Cacarear, cantar, pavonearse.

Crow [kr] Crowed[krd] Crowed[krd]

Crew [kru:]

* Of the crowing of a cock both preterite forms are used. In other usages only the regular inflection.

DO : Hacer/ Lograr/ Atender/ Arreglar, reparar/ Preparar/ Actuar en, imitar/ Ser suficiente, alcanzar/

Terminar/ Verbo auxiliar.

Do [du:] Did[dd] Done [dn]

[d][d][d]Weak forms.

* cf. Have.

DRAW : Descorrer/ Tirar, jalar/ Tensar (a bow=arco)/ Sacar/ Cobrar/ Arrastrar/ Hacer reventar/ Atraer/

Causar, provocar/ Dibujar/ Explicar/ Empatar.

Draw [dr:] Drew [dru:] Drawn [dr:n]

DRIVE : Conducir/ Clavar, hincar/ Volver (loco, furioso, etc).

Drive [drv] Drove [drv] Driven [drvn]

EAT : Comer/ Molestar (What's eating her?=qu le pica?)

Eat[i:t] Ate [et][et] Eaten [i:tn]

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Hide [hd] Hid[hd] Hidden [hdn]

Hid[hd] (Archaic)

* Adjectivally only the P.P. Hidden is used. In the verbal function Hidden is the normal form, Hidas P.P. is

bookish.

KNOW : Saber, conocer/ Reconocer.

Know [n] Knew [nju:] Known [nn]

LIE : Echarse, acostarse, tenderse/ Yacer/ Estar, encontrarse/ Extenderse/To lie with somebody = acostarse

con (Archaic).

Lie [l] Lay [le] Lain [len]

* LIE : Mentir.

Lie [l] Lied[ld] Lied[ld]

* LAY : Poner/ Apostar/ Tirarse o follarse a. Belongs to group (I).

Lay [le] Laid[led] Laid[led]

RIDE : Montar (caballo, bicicleta)/ Dejarse llevar por/ Aguantar.

Ride [rd] Rode [rd] Ridden [rdn]

RISE : Subir, elevarse/ Mejorar/ Nacer (river)

Rise [rz] Rose [rz] Risen [rzn]

SEE : Ver/ Imaginarse/ Salir con/ Acompaar a alguien a la puerta.

See [si:] Saw [s:] Seen [si:n]

* SAW : Cortar, serrar. (c.f. Group XII)

Saw [s:] Sawed[s:d] Sawn [s:n]

Sawed[s:d]

SEETHE : Bullir/ Estar furioso.

Seethe [si:] Seethed[si:d] Seethed[si:d]

Sod[sd] Sodden [sdn]

SHAKE : Agitar, sacudir, zarandear/ Hacer flaquear/ Impresionar, afectar/ Temblar.

Shake [ek] Sook[k] Shaken [ekn]

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Thrived[rvd] Thrived[rvd]

THROW : Tirar, echar, arrojar, lanzar/ Desconcertar.

Throw [r] Threw [ru:] Thrown [rn]

TREAD : Pisar/ Marcar/ Seguir.

Tread[tred] Trod[trd] Trodden [trdn]

Trod[trd]

WAKE : Despertar(se).

Wake [wek] Woke [wk] Woken [wkn]

Waked[wekt] Waked[wekt]

Woke [wk]

* The resemblance in sound to Break seems to be making the Preterite Woke and P.P. Woken the commonest

forms, but the others given above are still common.

WEAR : Llevar, llevar puesto, ponerse/ Hacer/Permitir, consentir/ Durar, aguantar/ Desgastarse.

Wear[we] Wore [w:] Worn [w:n]

WEAVE : Tejer, urdir.

Weave [wi:v] Wove [wv] Woven [wvn]

WEAVE : Zigzaguear.

Weave [wi:v] Weaved[wi:vd] Weaved[wi:vd]

* The regular inflection is not used of actual weaving, and is rare in metaphorical use.

WITHDRAW : Retirar, apartar.

Withdraw [wdr:] Withdrew [wdru:] Withdrawn [wdr:n]

WRITE : Escribir.

Write [rt] Wrote [rt] Written [rtn]

Writ[rt]

* The old P.P. Writis met with in the phrase Writ large corresponding to only more so.

(XII). P.P. has two different forms. Mixture of weak and strong verbs.

AWAKE : Despertar(se).

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Awake [wek] Awoke [wk] Awoken [wkn]

Awaked[wekt] Awaked[wekt]

* The Preterite Awakedis archaic. In the P.P. Awoke is not common, and Awoken is regarded as incorrect;

compare what is said ofWake.

BEGET : Engendrar.

Beget[bget] Begot[bgt] Begotten [bgtn]

Begat[bgt]

GET : Conseguir/ Tener/ Recibir/ Comprar/ Coger, agarrar/ Entender/ Molestar/ Llegar/ Ponerse, volverse.

Get[get] Got[gt] Got[gt]

Gotten [gtn]

* The P.P. Gotten is frequent in American; in English now only in the expression Illgotten gains.

GRAVE : Grabar.

Grave [grev] Graved[grevd] Graved[grevd]

Graven [grevn]

* The verb is used only in archaic language; note graven image.

HEW : Cortar, talar/ Labrar, tallar.

Hew [hju:] Hewed[hju:d] Hewn [hju:n]

Hewed[hju:d]

LADE : Cargar, tomar cargamento.

Lade [led] Laded[ledd] Laden [ledn]

MELT : Derretir(se), fundir(se), ablandar(se).

Melt[melt] Melted[meltd] Melted[meltd]

Molten [mltn]

* The irregular P.P. form is used only as an attributive adjective, and only of high meltingpoints ( and even

in these cases Meltedalso occurs).

MOW : Segar, cortar.

Mow [m] Mowed[md] Mown [mn]

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Mowed[md]

* As an attributive adjective the P.P. is Mown. Verbally both forms are common.

RIVE : Hendir, rasgar, desgarrar.

Rive [rv] Rived[rvd] Riven [rvn] (Adjective)

Rived[rvd]

SAW : Serrar.

Saw [s:] Sawed[s:d] Sawn [s:n]

Sawed[s:d]

* As an attributive adjective only Sawn, in the verbal function Sawn more often than Sawed.

* c.f. See (Group XI).

SEW : Coser.

Sew [s] Sewed[sd] Sewn [sn]

Sewed[sd]

* The irregular P.P. form is used adjectivally. Used verbally the regular and irregular forms are

interchangeable.

SHAVE : Afeitar(se), rasurar(se).

Shave [ev] Shaved[evd] Shaven [evn]

Shaved[evd]

* The irregular P.P. is used adjectivally.

SHEAR : Esquilar/ Partirse, romperse.

Shear[] Sheared[d] Shorn [:n]

Shore [:] Sheared[d]

* The Preterite Shore is archaic only; in its adjectival function the P.P. is Shorn; in the verbal function both

forms of the P.P. are found.

SHOW : Ensear, mostrar, exhibir/ Demostrar/ Notarse, verse.

Show (Shew) [] Showed (Shewed) [d] Shown (Shewn) [n]

Showed (Shewed) [d]

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* The forms spelt with e are now mannered. The usual P.P. is Shown, Showedbeing infrequent when

followed by its object and nonexistent in the passive.

SOW : Sembrar.

Sow [s] Sowed[sd] Sown [sn]

Sowed[sd]

* Only the P.P. Sown is used adjectivally. In the verbal function the P.P. has both forms.

STREW : Regar, esparcir/ Cubrir, tapizar.

Strew [stru:] Strewed[stru:d] Strewn [stru:n]

Strewed[stru:d]

SWELL : Inchar(se), inflarse/ Aumentar, crecer.

Swell [swel] Swelled[sweld] Swollen [swln]

Swelled[sweld]

* In the verbal function the P.P. Swollen is commoner than Swelled. As the adjective Swollen is the usual

form. Note the difference between a swollen head, with the literal value, and a swelled headof conceit.

* c.f. Group III.

WAKE : Despertar(se). * c.f. Group XI.

Wake [wek] Woke [wk] Woken [wkn]

Waked[wekt] Waked[wekt]

* The resemblance in sound to Breakseems to be making the Preterite Woke and P.P. Woken the commonest

forms, but the others given above are still common.

(XIII). Suppletive verbs. Different verbs to create one conjugation.

BE : Ser/ Estar.

Be [bi:]/[b] Was [wz]/[wz] Been [bi:n]/[bn]

Were [we]/[w:]/[w]

* The Basic Form Be has three functions: (1) Infinitive; (2) Imperative; (3) Subjunctive. But not the function

of the Present Indicative. The forms of the latter are: 1st person singular Am [m]/[m]; 2nd person singular Are

[a:]/[]; 3rd person singular Is [z]/[z]/[s]; Plural Are [a:]/[].

* Be has two Preterite forms: 1st and 3rd person singular Was; 2nd person singular, the whole plural and all

persons singular and plural in the Subjunctive Were.

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GO : Ir(se), marcharse, salir/ Venderse.

Go [g] Went[went] Gone [gn].

Groups: IVIII Historically weak verbs (Dental)

IXXIII Historically strong verbs

I and II add a .

III, IV, V, VI, add a

VII, VIII, end in or .

A is added and the vowel of the base changes.

(II) A is added, a consonant of the base is omitted and the vowel changes.

(III) A is added after nasal or liquid [r]. Can have or be completely regular.

(IV) Verbs ending in : a is added and disappears, and the vowel of the base remains.

(V) A is added but the vowel changes (Pret. : no GVS)

(VI) A is added with a greater change of the base than (V)

(VII) Ending in , the vowel of the base doesn't change.

(VIII) Ending in , the vowel of the base changes. (Pret.: no GVS, closed position.)

(IX) Same vowel in preterite and past participle.

(X) Different vowels in preterite and past participle.

(XI) Historical suffix en in past participle.

(XII) Past participle has two different forms (mixture of weak and strong verbs)

(XIII) Suppletive verbs.

Irregular Verbs in Modern English 29