Irregular Verb Group 3: EEP/EAP-EPT-EPT

Here goes list three!  Scroll down for previous irregular verb groups. Remember to study one group at time. Only move on to the next when you have memorized it superbly!  This list is a long one...

*Note: British speakers usually uses these irregular verbs, while Americans usually use the regular form.For example:
"Yesterday I burned my pancake!" (American)"Yesterday I burnt my fish and chips!" (Brit) 

These verbs are "weak" irregular verbs because they end in 't', which is close to the regular ending ('d').

Irregular Verb Group 3: EEP/EAP-EPT-EPT

1. creep-crept-crept

2. leap-lept-lept

3. keep-kept-kept

4. sleep-slept-slept

5. sweep-swept-swept

6. weep-wept-wept

Irregular Verb Group 2: I-A-U

So here's Irregular Verbs Group 2.  As I already posted in Irregular Verb Group 1, it's best to learn English's 250 irregular verbs by groups, similar sounds and patterns. Our brains learn best when we can perceive a pattern.

*Note: These verbs are what linguists call "strong" verbs, which means they don't end in 't', for example "I burnt my toast." 

Group 2: I-A-U

BEGIN-BEGAN-BEGUN
DRINK-DRANK-DRUNK
RING-RANG-RUNG
SING-SANG-SUNG
SINK-SANK-SUNK
SWIM-SWAM-SWUM

*Be careful not to make the mistake that many of my students have made:

INCORRECT: bring-brang-brung
CORRECT: bring-brought-brought

Irregular Verb Group 1: A/OUGHT

Irregular verbs are one of English's challenges for students. There are about 250 irregular verbs that are still used today-400 in total but the rest are obsolete. The best way to learn is by grouping them together according to their sounds (or phonetic similarities).

Group 1: A/OUGHT

1. BRING-BROUGHT-BROUGHT

2. BUY-BOUGHT-BOUGHT

3. CATCH-CAUGHT-CAUGHT

4. FIGHT-FOUGHT-FOUGHT
5. SEEK-SOUGHT-SOUGHT

6. TEACH-TAUGHT-TAUGHT

Look out for the next Group 2 Irregular Verbs! And if you like this post...then share it!

AFFECT vs. EFFECT

These two words are easily confused by native speakers of English, as well as ESL (English as a Second Language) speakers.

Both of these words can be either verbs or nouns, which makes distinguishing them a bit tricky. First let's take a look at affect.

AFFECT 

Usually affect is used as a verb; its meaning is to influence or make something different. It is used with a direct object unless it's used in the passive voice. In that situation we use the preposition "by".

Ex. The pollen in the spring affects my allergies severely. (active voice-direct object)

Ex. The stock market was affected by the economic downturn. (passive voice-used with by)

Affect can also be used as a noun, but only in regards to psychology. It describes a symptom.

Ex. Since the onset of his depression, his affect has been lethargic. 

EFFECT

Effect is usually used as a noun describing the result or impact of one thing on another. It takes on the preposition "of" and "on".

Ex. The effect of pollen on his allergies is severe during the spring.

Ex. The effect of the economic downturn on the economy is clear.

Effect can also be used as a verb, but it's less common than its usage as a noun. It means to realize or cause something to happen.

Ex. President Obama effected change by passing new health care policy.

Is that clear? If you happen to have any doubts, leave your questions below!