Writing Better English for ESL Learners

11 The Irregular Past Tense: Consonant/

Consonant-Vowel Change

PRONOUN TO MAKE TO DO

I made did

you made did

he/she/it made did

we made did

you (pl.) made did

they made did

12 The Irregular Past Tense: Radical Change

PRONOUN TO GO TO BE

I went was

you went were

he/she/it went was

we went were

you (pl.) went were

they went were

13 The Irregular Past Tense: Full Stem Change

PRONOUN TO BUY TO TEACH

I bought taught

you bought taught

he/she/it bought taught

we bought taught

you (pl.) bought taught

they bought taught

14 The Past Tense: Modal Auxiliaries

PRONOUN MUST SHOULD TO BE ABLE TO TO HAVE TO

I must have should have was able to had to

you must have should have were able to had to

he/she/it must have should have was able to had to

180 Appendix B