Past Irregular Verbs


verb ends in d t sounds
use "id" sound
add extra syllable

present: I need to get a haircut.

past: I needed money to buy a car.

present: I visit Pittsburgh every year.

past: He visited Mexico City in 1969.

present: I want some cookies.

past: She wanted to see you last week.

present: I start studying at 9:00.

past: We started studying English at 8:30 am

present: Everyday I wait for the bus.

past: I waited for them too long.

present: In the morning I decide when to go to HEB,

past: They decided to move to Austin in 1978.

verb ends in p k s f th ch sh x sounds
use "t" sound
with no extra syllable

present: In class, I look at the teacher.

past: I looked at the teacher.

present: I wash my car every Saturday.

past: Last week I washed my car.

present: They watch a soccer game on TV.

past: They watched TV last week.

present: We cook dinner in the evening.

past: We cooked dinner on Tuesday.

present: They miss class on Thursday.

past: They missed class last week.

present: They wrap presents for birthdays.

past: They wrapped the birthday present.

present: Sometimes I drop things.

past: I dropped my book in class.

present: We walk everyday.

past: We walked to work last week.

present: I talk to my friends everyday.

past: You talked a lot last month.

verb ends in other sounds
use "d" sound
with no extra syllable

present: I play soccer every Friday and Sunday.

past: I played soccer yesterday.

present: You seem happy today.

past: He seemed sad this morning.

present: They call their friends on Sunday.

past: They called me yesterday.

present: I stay at home when I am sick.

past: We stayed in Arizona for two months.

present: I return to Pittsburgh every year.

past: I returned to Pittsburgh last year.

present: I study in the afternoon.

past: He studied everyday last week.

present: I always listen to the teacher.

past: Everyone listened to the teacher.