VERBS

Understanding Verb Forms

What are the principal parts of verbs?

Regular verbs

Irregular verbs

Six confusing verbs

Sit/Set

Rise/Raise

Lie/Lay

Review A

Review B

What are the principal parts of verbs?

Verbs “dress” differently for different occasions.

She dresses casually.

She dressed for school.

She has dressed for graduation.

What are the principal parts of verbs?

Verbs have four principal parts. Each principal part has a different function.

Present Participle

Base Form

Past

Past Participle

talk

draw

[is] talk

[is] draw

ing

talk

ed

dr

e

[have] talk

ed

[have] draw

n

ing

More about participles

w

Lucas has drawn a picture.

Lucas has drawn a picture.

She was talking.

She was talking.

When used as part of a verb phrase, participles follow a helping verb.

Verb Phrase

Verb Phrase

Helping Verb

Helping Verb

These principle parts are used to form all of the different verb tenses.

Present Participle

Base Form

Past

Past Participle

They talk every day.

They are talking now.

They talked yesterday.

They have talked for hours.

The tense of a verb indicates the time of the action or state of being expressed by the verb.

Past

Future

Present

​

Present Perfect

Future

​

Future Perfect

Perfect tenses indicate that something happened or existed before a specific point in time.

Past

​

Past Perfect

Present

Cody will practice for the concert.

He has practiced different songs.

Cody practices his trumpet every day.

Yesterday he practiced for two hours.

He had practiced less the night before.

He will have practiced all the songs by then.

EXAMPLE:

Regular verbs

A regular verb generally forms its past and past participle by adding –d or –ed to the base form.

Present Participle

Base Form

Past

Past Participle

clean

clean

ed

[have] clean

ed

hope

hope

d

[have] hope

d

The present participle is formed by adding –ing.

clean

ing

Regular verbs

A common mistake is to leave the –d or –ed ending off the past and past participle forms.

He use to play guitar.

Nonstandard

He used to play guitar.

Standard

We were suppose to meet there.

We were supposed to meet there.

Regular verbs

He almost drownded.

Nonstandard

He almost drowned.

Standard

The kitten attackted the paper bag.

The kitten attacked the paper bag.

Another common mistake is to add unnecessary letters.

Regular verbs

Most regular verbs that end in e drop the e before adding –ing.

hope

Some verbs double the final consonant before adding –ing or –ed.

hug

hugg

ing

hug

hugg

ed

hop

ing

Regular verbs

1. Teresa (call) me yesterday about the party.

2. Then Marty (move) the chairs onto the porch.

3. The sales clerk has (help) my mother before.

Give the correct past or past participle form of each verb in parentheses.

Regular verbs

Give the correct past or past participle form of each verb in parentheses.

1. Teresa called me yesterday about the party.

The past form of call is called.

Regular verbs

Give the correct past or past participle form of each verb in parentheses.

2. Then Marty moved the chairs onto the porch.

The past form of move is moved.

Regular verbs

Give the correct past or past participle form of each verb in parentheses.

3. The sales clerk has helped my mother before.

The past participle of help is helped.

Regular verbs�

[End of Section]

Give the correct form (past, past participle, or present participle) of the verb in italics, as indicated in parentheses.

1. The dancers are (perform) on stage. (present participle)

2. We (watch) a folk dance an hour ago. (past)

3. We are (learn) dances from different countries. (present participle)

4. Someone in the audience has (request) an Irish square dance. (past participle)

5. I had (hope) to take dance lessons. (past participle)

On Your Own

Regular verbs

Give the correct form (past, past participle, or present participle) of the verb in italics, as indicated in parentheses.

Answers

1. The dancers are performing on stage. (present participle)

2. We watched a folk dance an hour ago. (past)

3. We are learning dances from different countries. (present participle)

4. Someone in the audience has requested an Irish square dance. (past participle)

5. I had hoped to take dance lessons. (past participle)

Irregular verbs

nk

An irregular verb forms its past and past participle in some way other than by adding –d or –ed.

Base Form

Past

Past Participle

drink

hurt

hurt

[have] hurt

Some verbs do not fit the regular pattern.

dr

nk

a

[have] dr

u

Irregular verbs �

Since most English verbs are regular, people sometimes try make irregular verbs follow the regular pattern. Such verb forms are not standard.

Nonstandard

Standard

breaked

broke

drived

drove

knowed

knew

Irregular verbs: Changing vowels

n

1. Some irregular verbs form the past and past participle by changing vowels.

Base Form

Past

Past Participle

begin

n

beg

[have] beg

u

a

Irregular verbs: Changing consonants

2. Other irregular verbs form the past and past participle by changing consonants.

Base Form

Past

Past Participle

make

ma

[have] ma

d

d

e

e

Irregular verbs:Changing vowels and consonants

3. Some irregular verbs form the past and past participle by changing both vowels and consonants.

Base Form

Past

Past Participle

ride

r

[have] r

od

e

idden

Irregular verbs: No change

4. A few irregular verbs make no change at all in their past and past participle forms.

Base Form

Past

Past Participle

put

put

[have] put

Irregular verbs

1. My cousin has (find) a new canyon trail.

2. Her grandfather (build) the shed himself.

3. Last night we (see) Mr. Torrence at the mall.

Give the correct past or past participle form of each verb in parentheses.

4. The tickets should not have (cost) so much.

Irregular verbs

Give the correct past or past participle form of each verb in parentheses.

The past participle of find is found.

1. My cousin has found a new canyon trail.

Irregular verbs

Give the correct past or past participle form of each verb in parentheses.

2. Her grandfather built the shed himself.

The past form of build is built.

Irregular verbs

Give the correct past or past participle form of each verb in parentheses.

The past form of see is saw.

3. Last night we saw Mr. Torrence at the mall.

Irregular verbs

Give the correct past or past participle form of each verb in parentheses.

4. The tickets should not have cost so much.

The past participle of cost is cost.

Irregular verbs

Give the correct form (past or past participle) of each verb given in parentheses.

1. Two graceful swans ________ across the lake. (swim)

2. Gabriela ________ me her softball glove. (lend)

3. Nate ________ a fleece jacket on the hike. (wear)

4. I have already ________ the wrapping paper. (cut)

5. Have you ________ your best on the science project? (do)

On Your Own

Irregular verbs

1. Two graceful swans ________ across the lake. (swim)

2. Gabriela ________ me her softball glove. (lend)

3. Nate ________ a fleece jacket on the hike. (wear)

4. I have already ________ the wrapping paper. (cut)

5. Have you ________ your best on the science project? (do)

swam

lent

wore

cut

done

Answers

Give the correct form (past or past participle) of each verb given in parentheses.

Six confusing verbs

Six verbs in English require special attention.

lie

lay

sit

set

rise

raise

• Does the baby

lie

still or

lay

still?

• Are the children

?

sitting

setting

• Do the fans

or

?

rise

raise

or

Six confusing verbs

To figure out which verb is correct, ask . . .

Don usually sits up front.

Does the verb have a direct object?

No object

They set the boxes down.

They set the boxes down.

Direct object

Six confusing verbs �

Another way to remember which verb to use is to think about what they mean.

Six confusing verbs

A direct object is a word or word group that receives the action of the verb or shows the result of the action.

They set the boxes down.

Direct

object

boxes

set what down?

boxes

Sit / Set

The verb sit means “to be seated” or “to rest.”

They sit on the sand.

The verb set means “to put (something) in a place.” Set usually has a direct object.

He will set the books down soon.

He will set the books down soon.

Direct object

Sit / Set�

The sun sets in the West.

No object

Set has other meanings that do not require a direct object. Check a dictionary to see whether or not the meaning you intend takes an object.

Sit / Set

We sit on the park bench.

We are sitting on the bench.

We sat there all day.

We have sat on the bench before.

She sets the lantern down.

She is setting it down now.

She set the lantern on the table.

She has sat it down already.

Sit / Set

1. The family (sat, set) down at the table.

2. She (sat, set) the basket on the floor.

3. The lawn chairs are (sitting, setting) by the pool.

For each of the following sentences, choose the correct verb form in parentheses. If the verb has a direct object, identify it.

Sit / Set

Sat is the past form of sit, which means “to be seated” and takes no object.

1. The family (sat, set) down at the table.

For each of the following sentences, choose the correct verb form in parentheses. If the verb has a direct object, identify it.

Sit / Set

Set is the past form of set, which means “to put (something) in a place.” Set takes the direct object basket.

2. She (sat, set) the basket on the floor.

For each of the following sentences, choose the correct verb form in parentheses. If the verb has a direct object, identify it.

Direct object

Sit / Set

Sitting is the present participle form of sit, which means “to rest” and does not take an object.

3. The lawn chairs are (sitting, setting) by the pool.

For each of the following sentences, choose the correct verb form in parentheses. If the verb has a direct object, identify it.

Sit / Set

Give the correct form of sit or set for each of the following sentences.

1. I ______ on a broken chair at the party yesterday.

2. Last night Kim ______ her ring on the dresser.

3. At the game, Kevin was ______ next to Paolo.

4. I have ______ here for hours waiting for you.

5. Before she left, Josie had ______ a loaf of bread on the counter.

On Your Own

Sit / Set

Give the correct form of sit or set for each of the following sentences.

1. I ______ on a broken chair at the party yesterday.

2. Last night Kim ______ her ring on the dresser.

3. At the game, Kevin was ______ next to Paolo.

4. I have ______ here for hours waiting for you.

5. Before she left, Josie had ______ a loaf of bread on the counter.

Answers

sat

set

sitting

sat

set

Rise / Raise

The verb rise means “to go upward.”

Slowly the balloons rise into the sky.

The verb raise means “to lift (something) up.” Raise usually has a direct object.

They raised the flag.

They raised the flag.

Direct object

Rise / Raise

Raise can also mean “to grow” or “to bring to maturity.” Both of these uses also take a direct object.

The Johnsons raise wheat.

The Johnsons raise wheat.

Direct object

My aunt raises sheep.

My aunt raises sheep.

Direct object

Rise / Raise

The sun rises in the East.

The sun is rising now.

The sun rose at 7:15 A.M.

The sun has risen.

Shawn raises the blinds each morning.

Shawn is raising the blinds for us.

Shawn raised the blinds yesterday.

Shawn has raised the blinds often.

Rise / Raise

1. The winner proudly (rises, raises) her trophy.

2. Smoke is (rising, raising) from the factory.

3. He gently (rose, raised) the injured turtle from the lake.

For each of the following sentences, choose the correct verb form in parentheses. If the verb has a direct object, identify it.

Rise / Raise

Raises is the correct form because the verb means “to lift (something) up” and takes the object trophy.

For each of the following sentences, choose the correct verb form in parentheses. If the verb has a direct object, identify it.

1. The winner proudly (rises, raises) her trophy.

Direct object

Rise / Raise

For each of the following sentences, choose the correct verb form in parentheses. If the verb has a direct object, identify it.

2. Smoke is (rising, raising) from the factory.

Rising is the correct form because the verb means “to lift (something) up” and takes no object.

Rise / Raise

For each of the following sentences, choose the correct verb form in parentheses. If the verb has a direct object, identify it.

3. He gently (rose, raised) the injured turtle from the lake.

Rising is the correct form because the verb means “to lift (something) up” and takes the object turtle.

Direct object

Rise / Raise�

Give the correct form of rise or raise for each of the following sentences.

1. Please ______ the sign higher.

2. I hope the bread is ______.

3. Sparks ______ from the fire and scattered into the night sky.

4. They ______ the couch while I looked under it.

5. Prices have ______ steadily for almost a year.

On Your Own

Rise / Raise

Give the correct form of rise or raise for each of the following sentences.

1. Please ______ the sign higher.

2. I hope the bread is ______.

3. Sparks ______ from the fire and scattered into the night sky.

4. They ______ the couch while I looked under it.

5. Prices have ______ steadily for almost a year.

Answers

raise

rising

rose

raised

risen

Lie / Lay

The verb lie means “to rest,” “to recline,” or “to be in a place.”

The dogs lie in the grass.

The verb lay means “to place (something somewhere).” Lay usually takes a direct object.

The chef lays the food on the plate.

The chef lays the food on the plate.

Direct object

Lie / Lay�

The girl lied about spilling the paint.

Lie can also mean “to tell an untruth.” The past and past participle forms for this meaning of lie are lied and [have] lied.

Lie / Lay

These verbs are easy to confuse because the past form of lie is also lay.

After his walk, the dog lay on the grass.

Past form

of lie

Please lay the blanket on the bed.

Base form

of lay

lay

lay

Lie / Lay

The cat lies on the chair.

The cat is lying there still.

The cat lay down an hour ago.

The cat has lain there a long time.

He lays the cane against the wall.

He is laying the cane against the wall.

He laid the cane there earlier.

He has laid it there before.

Lie / Lay

1. Please do not (lie, lay) your gloves on the heater.

2. Micki (lay, laid) in bed all day with a cold.

3. The napkins are (lying, laying) on the table.

For each of the following sentences, choose the correct verb form in parentheses. If the verb has a direct object, identify it.

Lie / Lay

Lay is the correct form because the verb means “to place (something somewhere)” and takes the object gloves.

1. Please do not (lie, lay) your gloves on the heater.

For each of the following sentences, choose the correct verb form in parentheses. If the verb has a direct object, identify it.

Direct object

Lie / Lay

In this sentence, lay is the past form of lie. The verb means “to rest” or “to recline” and does not take an object.

2. Micki (lay, laid) in bed all day with a cold.

For each of the following sentences, choose the correct verb form in parentheses. If the verb has a direct object, identify it.

Lie / Lay

3. The napkins are (lying, laying) on the table.

For each of the following sentences, choose the correct verb form in parentheses. If the verb has a direct object, identify it.

Lying is the correct present participle form because the verb means “to be in a place” and takes no object.

Lie / Lay�

Give the correct form of lie or lay for each of the following sentences.

1. Then the clerk ______ the small package on the scale.

2. Those clothes will ______ on the floor until you pick them up.

3. Who ______ this paintbrush on the bare floor?

4. That wet towel has been ______ here all day long.

5. After his playtime, the puppy ______ down and slept.

On Your Own

Lie / Lay

Give the correct form of lie or lay for each of the following sentences.

1. Then the clerk ______ the small package on the scale.

2. Those clothes will ______ on the floor until you pick them up.

3. Who ______ this paintbrush on the bare floor?

4. That wet towel has been ______ here all day long.

5. After his playtime, the puppy ______ down and slept.

Answers

laid

lie

laid

lying

lay

END OF SESSION