Learn on PengiElements of Language, 5th CourseChapter 8: Using Verbs Correctly: Principal Parts, Tense, Voice, Mood

Lesson 1: Principal Parts of Verbs

In this Grade 8 grammar lesson from Elements of Language, 5th Course, students learn the four principal parts of verbs — the base form, present participle, past, and past participle — and how all other verb forms are derived from them. The lesson distinguishes between regular verbs, which form their past and past participle by adding –d or –ed, and irregular verbs, which change vowels, consonants, or both. Students practice identifying and completing verb forms through exercises using common regular and irregular verbs.

Section 1

The Principal Parts of Verbs

Definition

The principal parts of a verb are the base form, the present participle, the past, and the past participle.

Explanation

Think of a verb's four principal parts as its core building blocks from which all other verb forms are made. Remember, the present participle and the past participle need a helping verb (like is, was, have, had) to create a complete verb phrase. Your teacher might also call the base form the infinitive.

Examples

  • present participle: [is] singing [Forms of be are used with present participles.]
  • past participle: [has] broken [Forms of have are used with past participles.]
  • past: wrote [This form shows the action happened in the past.]
  • base: understand [This is the simplest form of the verb.]

Section 2

Regular Verbs

Definition

A regular verb forms its past and past participle by adding –d or –ed to the base form.

Explanation

Regular verbs are the predictable ones! They follow a simple, consistent pattern to show past action. Both the past form and the past participle are created in the exact same way: just add -d or -ed to the end of the verb's base form. It's a straightforward and reliable rule.

Examples

  • The present participle of the regular verb chew is [is] chewing, the past form is chewed, and the past participle is [have] chewed.
  • For their project, the students answered all the survey questions. [The past form of answer is created by adding -ed.]
  • My father has mowed the lawn every week this summer. [The past participle of mow is created by adding -ed.]

Section 3

Irregular Verbs

Definition

An irregular verb forms its past and past participle in some other way than by adding –d or –ed to the base form.

Explanation

Irregular verbs are the rule-breakers of grammar! They change in unique ways to form their past and past participle. Avoid common mistakes like using the past form with a helping verb (like have took) or adding -ed where it doesn't belong (like knowed). You'll need to memorize these special forms.

Examples

  • Have you (seen, saw) the new superhero movie yet? [Because the helping verb Have is used, the past participle seen is the correct choice.]
  • My little brother has (grown, growed) two inches this year. [The past participle of grow is grown, not growed.]
  • The team (did, have did) an excellent job on the final project. [The simple past tense does not use a helping verb, so did is correct.]

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Chapter 8: Using Verbs Correctly: Principal Parts, Tense, Voice, Mood

  1. Lesson 1Current

    Lesson 1: Principal Parts of Verbs

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  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Troublesome Verbs: Sit, Set, Rise, Raise, Lie, Lay

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: Tense

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  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Progressive Forms of Verbs

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  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 5: The Uses and Consistency of Tenses

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  6. Lesson 6

    Lesson 6: Active Voice and Passive Voice

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Lesson overview

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Section 1

The Principal Parts of Verbs

Definition

The principal parts of a verb are the base form, the present participle, the past, and the past participle.

Explanation

Think of a verb's four principal parts as its core building blocks from which all other verb forms are made. Remember, the present participle and the past participle need a helping verb (like is, was, have, had) to create a complete verb phrase. Your teacher might also call the base form the infinitive.

Examples

  • present participle: [is] singing [Forms of be are used with present participles.]
  • past participle: [has] broken [Forms of have are used with past participles.]
  • past: wrote [This form shows the action happened in the past.]
  • base: understand [This is the simplest form of the verb.]

Section 2

Regular Verbs

Definition

A regular verb forms its past and past participle by adding –d or –ed to the base form.

Explanation

Regular verbs are the predictable ones! They follow a simple, consistent pattern to show past action. Both the past form and the past participle are created in the exact same way: just add -d or -ed to the end of the verb's base form. It's a straightforward and reliable rule.

Examples

  • The present participle of the regular verb chew is [is] chewing, the past form is chewed, and the past participle is [have] chewed.
  • For their project, the students answered all the survey questions. [The past form of answer is created by adding -ed.]
  • My father has mowed the lawn every week this summer. [The past participle of mow is created by adding -ed.]

Section 3

Irregular Verbs

Definition

An irregular verb forms its past and past participle in some other way than by adding –d or –ed to the base form.

Explanation

Irregular verbs are the rule-breakers of grammar! They change in unique ways to form their past and past participle. Avoid common mistakes like using the past form with a helping verb (like have took) or adding -ed where it doesn't belong (like knowed). You'll need to memorize these special forms.

Examples

  • Have you (seen, saw) the new superhero movie yet? [Because the helping verb Have is used, the past participle seen is the correct choice.]
  • My little brother has (grown, growed) two inches this year. [The past participle of grow is grown, not growed.]
  • The team (did, have did) an excellent job on the final project. [The simple past tense does not use a helping verb, so did is correct.]

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

Continue this chapter

Chapter 8: Using Verbs Correctly: Principal Parts, Tense, Voice, Mood

  1. Lesson 1Current

    Lesson 1: Principal Parts of Verbs

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  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Troublesome Verbs: Sit, Set, Rise, Raise, Lie, Lay

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: Tense

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  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Progressive Forms of Verbs

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  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 5: The Uses and Consistency of Tenses

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  6. Lesson 6

    Lesson 6: Active Voice and Passive Voice

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