Irregular verbs

Irregular verbs are verbs that do not follow the regular rules of verb conjugation in English. While most verbs in English add -ed to form their past tense, irregular verbs have their own unique form for the past tense, as well as the past participle form.

Here are a few examples of common irregular verbs and their past tense forms:

Go - Went

Eat - Ate

See - Saw

Break - Broke

Speak - Spoke

Take - Took

Give - Gave

Write - Wrote

Swim - Swam

Do - Did

Come - Came

Drink - Drank

Drive - Drove

Fly - Flew

Give - Gave

Grow - Grew

Know - Knew

Leave - Left

Run - Ran

See - Saw

Sing - Sang

Stand - Stood

Swim - Swam

Think - Thought

Throw - Threw

Wear - Wore

Win - Won

Withdraw - Withdrew

Write - Wrote

Rise - Rose

As you can see, irregular verbs can have drastically different past tense forms from their base form. It's important to note that irregular verbs do not follow a predictable pattern, and their past tense forms must be memorized.

Another important thing to remember is that the past participle form of irregular verbs can also be different from their past tense form. Here are some examples:

Go - Gone

Eat - Eaten

See - Seen

Break - Broken

Speak - Spoken

Take - Taken

Give - Given

Write - Written

Swim - Swum

Do - Done

Using the correct form of irregular verbs can be challenging for English learners, but it is crucial for clear and accurate communication in both written and spoken English. Regular practice and exposure to English grammar rules can help learners become more comfortable with using irregular verbs correctly.

Common Grammatical Mistakes

Non-native speakers often make several common grammatical mistakes when speaking or writing in English. Some of the most common mistakes include:

Verb tense errors: Non-native speakers often struggle with using the correct verb tense, especially with irregular verbs. More about verb tenses here. 

For example, they may say "I go to the store yesterday" instead of "I went to the store yesterday."

Subject-verb agreement errors: Non-native speakers may have difficulty matching the subject and verb correctly in a sentence. More about subject-verb agreement here.

For example, they may say "The dogs barks" instead of "The dogs bark."

Singular vs. plural errors: Non-native speakers may struggle with using the correct form of a word to match whether it is singular or plural. 

For example, they may say "I have two childs" instead of "I have two children."

Preposition errors: Non-native speakers may use the wrong preposition or omit prepositions altogether. More about prepositions here.

For example, they may say "I am on the phone with my friend" instead of "I am talking to my friend on the phone."

Article errors: Non-native speakers may struggle with using articles (a, an, the) correctly, especially with uncountable nouns. More about articles here.

For example, they may say "I need information" instead of "I need some information."

These are just a few examples of common grammatical mistakes that non-native speakers make when speaking or writing in English. It's important to remember that learning a new language takes time and practice, and mistakes are a normal part of the learning process. To learn more about sentence construction errors and how to correct them, click here.

Informal and formal English

Informal and formal English have different vocabularies that are used depending on the situation, audience, and purpose of communication.

Informal English uses a lot of slang, colloquialisms, and idiomatic expressions that are often not found in standard dictionaries. This type of language is used in casual conversations among friends, family, and acquaintances. Informal vocabulary includes words such as "gonna" instead of "going to," "wanna" instead of "want to," "cool" instead of "great," and "awesome" instead of "excellent." Informal vocabulary can make the conversation more relaxed, and it can help build rapport with the listener.

Formal English, on the other hand, uses more precise and technical vocabulary that is appropriate for professional or academic settings. This type of language follows strict rules of grammar and avoids slang, colloquialisms, and idiomatic expressions. Formal vocabulary includes words such as "utilize" instead of "use," "implement" instead of "put into effect," "efficient" instead of "quick," and "comprehensive" instead of "thorough." Formal vocabulary can help convey a sense of expertise and professionalism, and it can be useful for communicating complex ideas or information.

It's important to use the appropriate vocabulary depending on the context, audience, and purpose of communication. Using informal vocabulary in a formal setting can make the speaker appear unprofessional or uneducated, while using formal vocabulary in an informal setting can make the speaker appear stiff or distant. It's also important to be aware of cultural differences and regional variations in vocabulary, as certain words or phrases may have different meanings or connotations in different parts of the world.

Informal:

gonna (going to)

Example: I'm gonna go to the mall later.

wanna (want to)

Example: I wanna go to the beach this weekend.

kinda (kind of)

Example: The movie was kinda boring.

gotta (got to)

Example: I gotta finish my homework before dinner.

chill (relax)

Example sentence: Let's just chill and watch a movie tonight.

crash (go to sleep)

Example sentence: I'm so tired, I think I'm gonna crash early tonight.

ditch (abandon)

Example sentence: He ditched his boring lecture to go hang out with his friends.

freak out (panic)

Example sentence: I totally freaked out when I saw the spider in my room.

hang out (spend time together)

Example sentence: We should hang out more often, it's been too long.

hit up (contact)

Example sentence: I'm gonna hit up my friend and see if she wants to grab lunch.

kick back (relax)

Example sentence: I just wanna kick back and enjoy my day off.

mess around (fool around)

Example sentence: Stop messing around and focus on your work.

pop in (visit briefly)

Example sentence: I'm just gonna pop in and say hi to my coworkers.

skip (miss)

Example sentence: I'm gonna skip the gym today and just go for a walk instead.

Informal transition: 

anyway (nevertheless)

Example sentence: I know you don't like him, but anyway, we need his help to get the project done.

basically (essentially)

Example sentence: Basically, the problem is that we don't have enough resources to complete the project on time.

like (for example)

Example sentence: I like pizza with lots of cheese, pepperoni, and vegetables.

kinda (somewhat)

Example sentence: The presentation was kinda boring, but the speaker had some good points.

sort of (kind of)

Example sentence: I'm feeling sort of tired today, so I think I'll take a nap.

well (so)

Example sentence: Well, it looks like we're going to have to work late tonight to meet the deadline.

ya know (you know)

Example sentence: Ya know, I think we should just give up on this project and start over.

y'know what I mean? (do you understand what I'm saying?)

Example sentence: We need to finish this report by tomorrow, y'know what I mean?

anyways (anyway)

Example sentence: Anyways, we need to start thinking about how to improve our sales strategy.

BTW (by the way)

Example sentence: BTW, have you heard about the new software we're using for this project?

Informal emphasis: 

Really

Example sentence: I'm really excited to go on vacation next week.

Totally

Example sentence: The movie was totally awesome, I would definitely see it again.

Absolutely

Example sentence: I absolutely love this restaurant, the food is always delicious.

Seriously

Example sentence: Seriously, that concert was one of the best I've ever been to.

Completely

Example sentence: I completely forgot about our meeting, I'm so sorry.

Definitely

Example sentence: I definitely think we should go see that new movie this weekend.

Honestly

Example sentence: Honestly, I don't think I can finish this project by the deadline.

So

Example sentence: The weather was so nice today, I spent the whole day outside.

Very

Example sentence: The coffee at this café is very good, I come here all the time.

Pretty

Example sentence: The hike we went on yesterday was pretty challenging, but it was worth it for the amazing views.

Informal slang:

Chillax (verb): to calm down and relax

Example sentence: "I just need to chillax after a long day at work."

YOLO (acronym for "you only live once"): used to justify taking risks or living life to the fullest

Example sentence: "I'm going skydiving tomorrow, YOLO!"

Lame (adjective): uncool, boring or uninteresting

Example sentence: "I'm not going to that party, it's always so lame."

Lit (adjective): exciting, fun, or popular

Example sentence: "The concert last night was so lit!"

FOMO (acronym for "fear of missing out"): anxiety caused by the idea that others are having a better time or experience without you

Example sentence: "I can't believe I didn't go to the party last night, FOMO is real."

Hella (adverb): very, extremely

Example sentence: "This burger is hella good!"

Bae (noun): a term of endearment for a significant other or someone special

Example sentence: "I'm going out with bae tonight."

Cray (adjective): crazy, wild, or absurd

Example sentence: "That party last night was so cray, I can't believe what happened."

Gucci (adjective): good or cool

Example sentence: "Your new car is Gucci!"

Formal:

intend (plan to)

Example sentence: I intend to finish the project by the end of the week.

desire (want to)

Example sentence: I desire to pursue a career in medicine.

somewhat (to some extent)

Example sentence: The results were somewhat inconclusive.

must (have to)

Example sentence: I must complete this task before the deadline.

commence (begin)

Example sentence: The event will commence at 6pm sharp.

terminate (end)

Example sentence: The lease agreement will terminate at the end of the year.

allocate (assign)

Example sentence: The company will allocate funds for research and development.

facilitate (make easier)

Example sentence: The new software will facilitate the task of data entry.

utilize (use)

Example sentence: We plan to utilize this technology in our future projects.

ascertain (determine)

Example sentence: The investigation aims to ascertain the cause of the accident.

collaborate (work together)

Example sentence: We should collaborate on this project to ensure its success.

elicit (draw out)

Example sentence: The interviewer tried to elicit information about the candidate's previous work experience.

facilitate (make easier)

Example sentence: The new software will facilitate the process of data analysis.

implement (put into effect)

Example sentence: We need to implement these changes as soon as possible to improve efficiency.

maximize (increase to the greatest possible extent)

Example sentence: The company wants to maximize profits by increasing sales.

optimize (make the best use of)

Example sentence: The goal is to optimize the use of available resources.

strategize (plan or develop strategies)

Example sentence: We need to strategize how to achieve our long-term goals.

unify (bring together)

Example sentence: The aim is to unify different departments into a cohesive team.

utilize (make use of)

Example sentence: We need to utilize all available resources to complete this project on time.

Formal transition:

Furthermore (in addition)

Example sentence: Furthermore, the study found that regular exercise can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease.

Nonetheless (however)

Example sentence: The project faced several obstacles, nonetheless, it was completed on time and within budget.

Thus (as a result)

Example sentence: The company's profits have been steadily declining, thus, we need to find ways to increase revenue.

In contrast (on the other hand)

Example sentence: In contrast to the previous year, our sales have increased by 20% this quarter.

Notwithstanding (despite)

Example sentence: Notwithstanding the difficult market conditions, our company has managed to remain profitable.

Subsequently (afterward)

Example sentence: The new product was launched last month, and subsequently, we have seen an increase in sales.

Moreover (furthermore)

Example sentence: Our product is not only cost-effective but also eco-friendly. Moreover, it has received positive feedback from our customers.

Nevertheless (nonetheless)

Example sentence: The company experienced some setbacks this year, nevertheless, we remain optimistic about the future.

Conversely (on the contrary)

Example sentence: Some experts argue that technology has increased productivity, whereas others contend that it has decreased it. Conversely, some suggest that it has had no effect at all.

In conclusion (finally)

Example sentence: In conclusion, it is important to prioritize the safety and well-being of employees in any organization.

Formal emphasis: 

Particularly

Example sentence: The company's focus is particularly on sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint.

Specifically

Example sentence: The policy states specifically that all employees must complete their training within 30 days of hire.

Notably

Example sentence: The team's notable achievements include a 25% increase in sales over the last quarter.

Indeed

Example sentence: The new product has indeed been well received by customers, with many positive reviews.

Undoubtedly

Example sentence: The research conducted on this topic is undoubtedly thorough and reliable.

Clearly

Example sentence: The report clearly indicates that there is a need for improvement in our customer service.

Definitely

Example sentence: The committee has definitely decided to pursue the proposal put forward by the marketing team.

Absolutely

Example sentence: The CEO is absolutely committed to the company's vision and mission.

Precisely

Example sentence: The instructions must be followed precisely in order to ensure safety in the workplace.

Exclusively

Example sentence: The program is exclusively available to members of our premium subscription service.

In conclusion, informal and formal English vocabularies have their own strengths and weaknesses, and it's important to choose the appropriate vocabulary depending on the situation. Informal vocabulary can make the conversation more relaxed, while formal vocabulary can convey a sense of expertise and professionalism. Understanding the nuances of both vocabularies can help speakers communicate more effectively in a variety of settings.

Exercises about Sentence Errors

Exercise 1: Identify the error in each of the following sentences:

Me and my friend went to the park.

______________________________________.

Their going to the concert tonight.

______________________________________.

The dog chased it's tail.

______________________________________.

He don't like coffee.

______________________________________.

The team is playing good today.

______________________________________.

They is going to the movies tonight.

______________________________________.

Me and him are good friends.

______________________________________.

Her and me went to the beach yesterday.

______________________________________.

The teacher gave there students a quiz.

______________________________________.

I seen the new movie last night.

______________________________________.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the following sentences to correct any errors and make them clear and concise:

The reason why I'm late is because my car broke down on the way to work.

_______________________________________________________.

The cake that I made for the party was the best cake that I ever made.

_______________________________________________________.

John went to the store to buy some bread, and he also bought some milk.

_______________________________________________________.

There is a problem with the way that the computer program is working.

_______________________________________________________.

I don't know what time that the meeting is going to be held.

_______________________________________________________.

To learn about how to correct sentence errors, click here. You can contact me with the right answers via the contact form on this website. Please indicate your email address.

Why English is Confusing?

English can be confusing for several reasons:

Irregular spellings: English words are not always spelled the way they sound, which can make it difficult to read and write. The words "enough," "through," and "bough" all have the same "ough" ending but are pronounced differently.

Homophones and homonyms: English has many words that sound the same but have different meanings (homophones) or different spellings but the same pronunciation (homonyms). The words "there," "their," and "they're" all sound the same but have different meanings and spellings.

Multiple meanings: English words often have multiple meanings, which can make it difficult to understand the intended meaning of a sentence. The word "bank" can refer to a financial institution or the side of a river, depending on the context.

Idiomatic expressions: English is full of idiomatic expressions that don't always make sense when translated literally, which can be confusing for non-native speakers. The phrase "kick the bucket" is an idiom that means "to die," but it doesn't make literal sense.

Complex grammar: English has a complex grammar with many rules, exceptions, and irregularities, which can be difficult to learn and apply correctly.  English has many irregular verbs, such as "go," "do," and "have," that don't follow the standard rules of verb conjugation. Additionally, there are many exceptions to grammatical rules, such as when to use "who" vs. "whom."

Despite these challenges, English is widely spoken and understood around the world, making it an important language to learn for communication and business purposes.

Object Pronouns

Object pronouns are used as the object of a verb or preposition in a sentence. They replace nouns that are the objects of sentences, or that receive the action of the verb. Object pronouns can also be used after prepositions.

Here are the object pronouns in English:

me (used after verbs or prepositions): Give me the book. The book is for me.

you (used after verbs or prepositions): Can you help me? This is for you.

him (used after verbs or prepositions): I saw him at the store. This is for him.

her (used after verbs or prepositions): She gave it to her. I talked to her.

it (used after verbs or prepositions): The cat chased it. I found it.

us (used after verbs or prepositions): They gave us a ride. This is for us.

them (used after verbs or prepositions): I called them. This is for them.

Object pronouns differ from subject pronouns in that they are used as the objects of a sentence or preposition, rather than as the subjects. For example, in the sentence "He hit the ball to me," "he" is the subject, while "me" is the object pronoun, since it is the object of the preposition "to."

To learn more about subject and object, click here.

Pronouns are also tackled here.

Subject Pronouns

Subject pronouns are pronouns that are used as the subject of a sentence. They replace the noun and indicate who is performing the action or who the sentence is about. In English, subject pronouns are:

I - Used as the subject of the sentence, typically refers to the person speaking.

Example: I am going to the store.

You - Used as the subject of the sentence, typically refers to the person or people being addressed.

Example: You are invited to the party.

He - Used as the subject of the sentence, typically refers to a male person or animal.

Example: He is a doctor.

She - Used as the subject of the sentence, typically refers to a female person or animal.

Example: She is a teacher.

It - Used as the subject or object of the sentence, typically refers to an object or animal.

Example: It is a hot day.

We - Used as the subject of the sentence, typically refers to a group of people including the speaker.

Example: We are going to the beach.

They - Used as the subject of the sentence, typically refers to a group of people or things not including the speaker.

Example: They are waiting for the bus.

Subject pronouns are important because they make sentences less repetitive and easier to understand. They are also useful for avoiding gender-specific language, as pronouns like "he" and "she" can be replaced with "they" when the gender of the subject is unknown or irrelevant.

It's important to note that subject pronouns are different from object pronouns, which are used as the object of a verb or preposition in a sentence. For example, "him" and "her" are object pronouns, while "he" and "she" are subject pronouns.

Singular and Plural nouns

In English grammar, a noun is a word that refers to a person, place, thing, or idea. Nouns can be singular or plural, depending on whether they refer to one item or more than one.

Singular nouns refer to one item, while plural nouns refer to more than one.

            However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example:

Definite and indefinite articles are two types of determiners in the English language that are used to indicate the specificity of a noun.

Indefinite Articles:

The indefinite article is "a" or "an" and is used to refer to a noun that is unspecified, unknown, or not previously mentioned.

Examples:

I need a pen. (Referring to any pen, not a specific one)

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. (Referring to any apple)

The use of "a" and "an" articles is determined by the sound at the beginning of the following word. "A" is used before words that start with a consonant sound, while "an" is used before words that start with a vowel sound.

For example:

A car (pronounced "ka(r)")

An apple (pronounced "a-puhl")

In the case of words that start with "h", the use of "a" or "an" depends on the sound of the "h." If the "h" is silent, use "an." If the "h" has a sound, use "a."

An hour (pronounced "an ow-er")

A hotel (pronounced "a ho-tel")

It's important to note that this rule is based on the sound of the word, not the spelling. For example, "hour" starts with the consonant "h," but because the "h" is silent, "an" is used instead of "a."

Definite Article:

The definite article is "the" and is used to refer to a specific or previously mentioned noun.

Examples:

The pen on my desk is blue. (Referring to a specific pen)

The apple I ate yesterday was delicious. (Referring to a specific apple)

Note: The use of articles can be influenced by other factors such as countability, singular or plural form of the noun, and prepositions used in the sentence.

More about nouns and other parts of speech here.