Learn irregular verbs effectively

How do I learn irregular verbs effectively?

Divide the irregular into groups. So it is easier to learn them by heart.

We formed 5 groups:

  1. all 3 forms are similar
  2. Infinitive and Simple Past are similar
  3. Infinitive and past participle are similar
  4. Simple Past and past participle are similar
  5. all 3 forms are different

1. all 3 forms are similar

infinitive simple past past participle
bet* bet bet
burst burst burst
cost cost cost
cut cut cut
hit hit hit
hurt hurt hurt
let let let
put put put
read read read
set set set
shut shut shut

2. infinitive and Simple Past are similar

infinitive simple past past participle
beat beat beaten

3. infinitive and past participle are similar

infinitive simple past past participle
come came come
run ran run
become became become

4. simple past and past participle are similar

infinitive simple past past participle
bring brought brought
build built built
buy bought bought
catch caught caught
deal dealt dealt
feed fed fed
feel felt felt
fight fought fought
find found found
get got got
hang hung hung
have had had
hear heard heard
hold held held
keep kept kept
lay laid laid
lead led led
leave left left
lend lent lent
light* lit lit
lose lost lost
make made made
mean meant meant
meet met met
pay paid paid
say said said
sell sold sold
send sent sent
shine shone shone
shoot shot shot
sit sat sat
sleep slept slept
slide slid slid
spend spent spent
stand stood stood
stick stuck stuck
sweep swept swept
swing swung swung
teach taught taught
tell told told
think thought thought
understand understood understood
win won won

5. all 3 forms are different

infinitive simple past past participle
be was/were been
begin began begun
blow blew blown
break broke broken
choose chose chosen
do did done
draw drew drawn
drink drank drunk
drive drove driven
eat ate eaten
fall fell fallen
fly flew flown
forget forgot forgotten
freeze froze frozen
give gave given
go went gone
grow grew grown
hide hid hidden
know knew known
lie** lay lain
ride rode ridden
ring rang rung
rise rose risen
see saw seen
shake shook shaken
show* showed shown
sing sang sung
sink sank sunk
speak spoke spoken
spring sprang sprung
steal stole stolen
swear swore sworn
swim swam swum
take took taken
tear tore torn
throw threw thrown
wake woke woken
wear wore worn
weave wove woven
write wrote written

* regular form (+ -ed) also possible

Some of the verbs in our table are merely prefixed forms of an irregular verb. Thus, if you learn only a single irregular verb, you can be certain that any other prefixed variant on that verb is irregular in the exact same manner. Look at the following examples:

  • bid – forbid
  • cast – broadcast – forecast
  • go – forego – undergo
  • get – forget
  • stand – understand – withstand
  • tell – foretell
  • take – overtake – undertake

Thanks to Brian.