Common Grammatical Mistakes: 18 Errors You Must Avoid in English
September 9, 2025
Learning English grammar can feel overwhelming. But understanding Regular Verbs vs. Irregular Verbs is one of the most important steps.
These two verb types form the backbone of English tenses. They help you speak and write correctly in past, present, and future forms.
Regular verbs follow simple patterns. Irregular verbs break all the rules. Once you master both types, your English will improve dramatically.
Let’s explore everything you need to know about regular and irregular verbs with clear examples.
Regular verbs follow a specific pattern when changing forms. They create past and past participle forms by adding endings to the base verb.
The most common pattern is adding “-ed” to the base form. This creates both the past tense and past participle.
For example, “help” becomes “helped” in both past forms. This consistency makes regular verbs easier to learn and use.
However, regular verbs have some spelling rules you need to follow. These rules ensure proper grammar and pronunciation.
Most regular verbs simply add “-ed” to create past forms.
Examples:
This is the most common pattern for regular verbs. It applies to thousands of English verbs.
When a verb already ends in “-e”, you only add “-d”.
Examples:
This rule prevents double letters and maintains proper spelling.
When a verb ends with a consonant plus “-y”, remove the “-y” and add “-ied”.
Examples:
Important Exception: If the verb ends in “-y” preceded by a vowel, just add “-ed”.
Examples:
Irregular verbs don’t follow standard patterns. They change in unpredictable ways when forming past tenses.
You cannot simply add “-ed” or “-d” to create their past forms. Instead, these verbs undergo internal changes.
This makes irregular verbs more challenging to learn. You must memorize each verb’s unique forms.
The difference between regular and irregular verbs becomes clear through examples and practice.
Some irregular verbs keep the same form for base, past, and past participle.
Examples:
These verbs are actually easier to remember once you know they don’t change.
Here, the base and past participle are identical. Only the past tense is different.
Examples:
In this pattern, past tense and past participle are the same. The base form is different.
Examples:
These irregular verbs have three completely different forms.
Examples:
This category requires the most memorization effort.
Regular verbs follow predictable patterns. They use “-ed”, “-d”, or “-ied” endings consistently.
Irregular verbs break these patterns completely. They require individual memorization.
Regular verbs make up the majority of English verbs. Most new verbs entering English follow regular patterns.
Irregular verbs are often common, everyday words. They’re frequently used despite their complexity.
Practice with regular and irregular verbs list daily. Start with the most common verbs first.
Create sentences using both types. This helps you remember proper usage in context.
Focus on irregular verbs that appear in everyday conversation. These include “go,” “come,” “see,” and “take.”
Use flashcards or apps to memorize irregular verb forms. Repetition builds muscle memory.
Understanding Regular Verbs vs. Irregular Verbs is essential for English mastery. Regular verbs follow simple patterns with “-ed,” “-d,” or “-ied” endings.
Irregular verbs require memorization but follow four main categories. With practice, you’ll recognize their patterns.
Start practicing today with common verbs from both categories. Your English fluency will improve quickly once you master these fundamental grammar concepts.
Remember: regular verbs are your reliable friends, while irregular verbs are the exciting exceptions that make English unique.
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