TOP 100 Irregular Verbs

Here is the list of Top 100 irregular verbs in PDF from over 600 irregular verbs list.

Learning irregular verbs is an essential part of mastering the English language. Irregular verbs are those that do not follow the standard rules of conjugation, which means that their past tense and past participle forms are not formed by adding -ed to the base form. Instead, these verbs have unique forms that must be memorized in order to use them correctly. In this article, we will explore the top 100 irregular verbs and discuss why it is important to learn them.

Top 100 irregular verbs make up over 50% of all irregular verb usage

The English language has many irregular verbs, but some are used much more frequently than others. According to a study by Mark Davies of Brigham Young University, the top 100 irregular verbs in English make up over 50% of all irregular verb usage. This means that mastering these 100 verbs is essential for understanding and communicating effectively in English.

The most frequently used irregular verbs are those that describe basic actions or states, such as “be”, “have”, “do”, “go”, “make”, “say”, and “take”. These verbs are so common that they are often referred to as “core” or “basic” verbs. Learning the irregular forms of these verbs is essential for basic communication in English.

Learning irregular verbs by heart

However, even less common irregular verbs can be important to learn, as they are often used in specialized contexts. For example, the verb “shrink” may not be used as frequently as “be” or “have”, but it is an important verb to know if you work in the clothing industry, where it is used to describe the process of fabric shrinking. Similarly, the verb “dig” may not be used as frequently as “go” or “make“, but it is an important verb to know if you are a gardener or construction worker.

Learning irregular verbs by heart can be challenging, but it is important for several reasons. First, using the correct form of an irregular verb can greatly improve the clarity and accuracy of your communication. Second, many irregular verbs are used in idiomatic expressions and phrasal verbs, which means that their meanings cannot be deduced from their constituent parts. For example, “take off” means “to remove clothing or start flying” and “put up with” means “to tolerate” – the meanings of these phrases are not related to the meanings of the individual words in them. By learning the irregular forms of the verbs used in these expressions, you can gain a deeper understanding of English idiomatic usage.

Finally, learning irregular verbs can greatly improve your ability to read and understand written English. Many irregular verbs appear in literary texts and academic writing, and understanding their irregular forms is essential for interpreting their meanings correctly.

In conclusion, learning irregular verbs is an essential part of mastering the English language. While memorizing the irregular forms of these verbs can be challenging, it is important for effective communication and understanding in both spoken and written English. The top 100 irregular verbs, which make up over 50% of all irregular verb usage, are a good place to start, but even less common irregular verbs can be important to learn depending on your area of interest or expertise. By mastering irregular verbs, you can greatly improve your ability to communicate, understand, and appreciate the English language.

We also prepared lists of Top 10, 25, 30 and Top 50 irregular verbs. You can use our List of Modal verbs or search verbs online with full details. Each row contains an infinitive first, followed by the simple past (V2) form and the past participle (V3) form. For more detail click on the verb in the infinite form.  

List of TOP 100 irregular verbs: