Irregular Verb Group 4: T-T-T

Here goes list four!  Although this verb group is big, this is the easiest list because all you have to do is memorize one word. As I already wrote, remember to study one group at time. Only move on to the next when you have memorized it superbly!

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

Irregular Verb Group 4: T-T-T

1. bet bet bet
2. bid bid bid
3. broadcast broadcast broadcast
4. burst burst burst
5. cost cost cost
6. cut cut cut
7. hit hit hit
8. hurt hurt hurt
9. let let let
10. put put put
11. quit quit quit
12. set set set
13. shut shut shut
14. split split split
15. spread spread spread 

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!

PORTUGUESE SPEAKERS: You know more in ENGLISH than you may think...

As English possesses Latin, brought to England by the Roman Empire, there are tons of words in the English Language that have the ending (tion), which can be easily replaced with the Portuguese ending (ão).  This vocabulary is more advanced, as Latin words were brought to England by clergy who could read and write.

Here is a short list just to demonstrate that you (Portuguese speakers) probably know more than you think!...And if you English speakers are learning Portuguese, you already know 20 words:

1. transportation--transportação
2. information--informação
3. education--educação
4. determination--determinação
5. excavation--escavação
6. ovulation--ovulação
7. verification--verificação
8. laceration--laceração
9. petition--petição
10. classification--classificação
11. notion--noção
12. potion--poção
13. rendition--rendição
14. lotion--loção
15. cognition--cognição
16. inflammation--inflamação
17. congregation--congregação 
18. limitation--limitação
19. configuration--configuração
20. nation--nação

Infinitive (to+verb), Gerund (verb+ING) or BOTH? (for Beginners)

Whenever we use two verbs together in English, the second verb must change to either an infinitive or gerund, or sometimes it can be either one.  For example:

I enjoy have a coffee after dinner.
I enjoy to have a coffee after dinner.
I enjoy having a coffee after dinner.

I need buy a dress.
I need buying a dress.
I need to buy a dress.

I like go to the beach.
I like to go to the beach.
OR
I like going to the beach.

These examples represent the three groups of verbs below:

1. gerund ONLY (verb+ing)
2. infinitive ONLY (to+verb)
3. gerund OR infinitive 

Here is a short list of the most commonly used verbs that correspond to one of these three groups.

1. The following verbs MUST be followed by a gerund (verb + ing)

• can't stand (really don't like!)
• enjoy
• finish
• give up
• go + activity (swimming, surfing, shopping, dancing, sightseeing...)
• recommend

      2.  The following verbs MUST be followed by an infinitive (to + verb)

• forget
• learn
• mean
• need
• try
• want

      3.  The following verbs can be followed by a gerund (verb + ing) OR an infinitive (to + verb)

• begin
• can't stand
• hate
• like
• love
• prefer