297. Action Verbs – Irregular Past Tense

Usually an action verb takes an -ed ending for past tense. I hope – I hoped; I jump – I jumped
Irregular verbs change form and spelling to make the past tense. I sing – I sang; I drive – I drove

Here are some common action verbs with irregular past tense:
Today I know my math facts. Yesterday I knew my math facts.
Today I have volleyball practice. Yesterday I had volleyball practice.
Today I swim in the pool. Yesterday I swam in the pool.

The only way to know which verbs are irregular is to practice and learn them.
Here are more irregular past tense verbs:
give – gave
bring – brought
think – thought
win – won
break – broke
come – came
fight – fought
buy – bought
fly – flew

Irregular verbs change their spelling when going from present tense to past tense. You must memorize these irregular past tense verbs.

  • It’s your turn. In each of these sentences, change the present tense verb to a past tense verb. I buy tomatoes at the market in town. Yesterday I ____ onions. I come home today at 3:00. Yesterday, I ____ home at 3:30. How did you do? Did you figure out the past tense form of each verb? Good for you.