Irregular verbs

Here are a few simple rules to help you find the correct ending for different verbs:

A. Verbs which end in a consonants and a silent ‘e’,eg like, hope, create, advise, amuse

1. In the present tense you add ‘s’ to the he, she, or it forms:

She likes cheese
He loves her

2. In the past tense you add ‘d’ to all forms:

She created a terrible noise
They liked the film
He hoped to win a prize

3. In the continuous tenses you take away the ‘e’ and add ‘ing’.

She’s hoping to pass the exam
I was just admiring your new car

B. Verbs which end in ‘y’ (NOT verbs which end in –ay, -oy –uy, -ey)

1. In the present or past tenses you change ‘y’ into ‘ie’

Cry _____ The baby cries a lot
She cried all night
Worry ____ It worries me
He worried his mother

2. I n the continuous tenses you do not change the ‘y’. you ass ‘ing’ to ‘y’.

Dry _____ She is drying her hair
Hurry ______ He is hurrying to work
Fry _____ She is frying an egg

C. verbs which double the consonant

1. If a verb has one syllable and ends in a single vowel and a consonant, eg hit, clap, pan, pin, the consonant is usually doubled:

clap ______ She clapped her hands
Plan _____ I am planning to go home tomorrow

2. If a verb has more than one syllable, but ends in a single vowel and a consonant, and has the stress on the last syllable, the consonant is usually doubled:

Begin ____ I am beginning to understand
Upset ____ She is always upsetting me

3. If a verb has more than one syllable and the stress is not on the last syllable, the last consonant is not usually doubled:

Offer _____ She offered me some tea
Open _____ He opened the door

4. If the last vowel sound of a verb is written with two letters, you do not double the final consonant

Heat ____ I am heating the soup
Book ____ He booked a taxi

5. If a verb ends with a vowel and final ‘I’ or ‘p’, you usually double the ‘I’ or ‘p’, even if the final syllable is not stressed:

Travel _____ They traveled the world
Channel ____ They channeled the water towards the field