The principal parts of verbs in English Language
Principal parts of verb
The principal parts of verbs are the base form, the present participle, the past tense, and the past participle. These four verb forms are important because they are used to conjugate verbs in different tenses and moods.
- Base form: The base form of a verb is the infinitive form, which is usually preceded by the word "to." This is the basic form of the verb that is listed in the dictionary. Example: to speak.
- Present participle: The present participle is formed by adding "-ing" to the base form of the verb. It is used to form continuous tenses and the passive voice. Example: speaking.
- Past tense: The past tense is used to describe events or actions that happened in the past. It is often formed by adding "-ed" to the base form of the verb, but there are many irregular verbs that do not follow this rule. Example: spoke.
- Past participle: The past participle is used to form perfect tenses and the passive voice. It is often formed by adding "-ed" to the base form of the verb, but there are many irregular verbs that do not follow this rule. Example: spoken.
Examples of sentences using the principal parts of verbs:
- I am speaking to you now. (present participle)
- I spoke to you yesterday. (past tense)
- I have spoken to you many times. (past participle)
Practical uses of the principal parts of verbs:
- In the present tense: I speak to you every day. (base form)
- In the past tense: I spoke to you yesterday. (past tense)
- In the future tense: I will speak to you tomorrow. (base form)
- In the present perfect tense: I have spoken to you every day this week. (past participle)
- In the past perfect tense: I had spoken to you before you left. (past participle)
- In the future perfect tense: I will have spoken to you by the time you get home. (past participle)
Special cases:
- Irregular verbs: do not follow the usual rules for verb forms. Example: go (goes, went, gone), have (has, had, had).
- Passive voice: the verb is in the passive voice when the subject is being acted upon. Example: The cake was eaten by the dog (active voice: The dog ate the cake).
Comprehension exercises Principal parts of verbs:
Choose the correct verb form to complete the sentence: He _____ to the store. a. went (past tense) b. goes (present tense) c. go (base form)
Answer: a. went (past tense)
Identify the verb in the following sentence: I have eaten breakfast every morning this week.
Answer: eaten (past participle)
Choose the correct verb form to complete the sentence: She _____ running every morning. a. is (present tense) b. was (past tense) c. will be (future tense)
Answer: a. is (present tense)
Identify the verb in the following sentence: The cake was eaten by the dog.
Answer: eaten (past participle)