22 English Grammar Demystifi ed
- Mike swum the entire way.
- I layed my keys on the counter and now they‘re gone.
- The child reported that he had runned all the way home.
We usually learn the correct use of irregular verbs very naturally as we learn to
speak English. For some people it is more diffi cult than for others. We all need to
keep checking our usages because it’s so easy to forget some of the irregular forms
in the list. If you ever hesitate as you’re about to speak or write one of these verbs,
it’s a clue that you need to go back and review. For example, two of the most mis-
used irregular verbs are lay (to place) and lie (to recline), but if we establish some
clues to their usage, it will help. Notice that the verb lay has an a in the middle and
the clue word, place, is spelled with an a. The verb lie has an i in the middle as does
the clue word, recline. Those two clues will start you off correctly in the present
tense. Now you need clues for the past and perfect tenses.
Written Practice 1-9
Choose the correct verb form for each sentence.
- I have never (laid, lain) in bed all day.
- Mort has (swim, swum) the canal each spring.
- The hanger was (raised, rose) twenty feet to accommodate the new planes.
- I had (payed, paid) that bill long before it was due.
- The toddler’s parents had (forbade, forbidden) him from going into the
street alone. - I have (swinged, swung) on that gate since I was a child.
- We have (chosen, chose) a place for our wedding reception.
- I have (drank, drunk) too much at this party!
- The child (threw, throwed) a perfect strike.
- I had (seen, seed) him only one other time.