Weak Verbs
Phonetics:
wiːk
vɜːbs
Pronunciation:
Crack the Code: Learn everything about weak verbs
Comprehensive Definition, Description, Examples & Rules
What is a weak verb?
Weak verbs are those whose past tense and past participle form conjugate with the addition of ‘ed’, ‘t’, or d to the end of the root verb. These verbs added to the verb stem indicate person, number, tense, and mood.
Definition
Weak verbs get transformed due to the addition of past tense like ‘ed’, ‘t’, or d to their base form.
Throw a couple of examples in brief.
| Verb | Past tense | Past participle |
|---|---|---|
|
Learn |
Learned |
learnt |
|
Check |
Checked |
Checked |
|
Plant |
Planted |
Planted |
|
Prompt |
Promoted |
Promoted |
Formation of a weak verb
There are various types of weak verb formation. It can be formed with past form adds: ed’ in vowel and d in consonant. Another type of verb form adds d/t for vowel-ending verbs, and the vowel sound changes. The past form retains the consonants and shortens the vowel sound in the middle, and the past form retains the base form of the verb, like put-put.
Types of formation
Weak verb have different endings. Use of d and ‘ed’ based upon consonants and vowels ‘ed’ is used with consonants and d with vowels.
For example:
- Dance: danced (vowel at the end of the verb)
- Check-checked (consonant at the end of the verb).
Type 2: Past tense form: add d or ‘t’ for vowel ending verb and vowel sound change.
For example:
- Call – called
- Add – added
- Tell – told
- Keep – kept
Type 3: Past tense form retains the consonant and shortens the vowel sound in the middle.
For example,
- Shoot-shot
- Taste: tasted
- Feed: fed
- Meet – met
- Sit-sat
Type 4: Paste tense form retains the base form of the verb
For example,
- Bold: bold
- Shut-shut
- Split-split
- Read-read
These verbs help in structuring a sentence with clarity. You should keep various types in mind while using weak verbs in writing.
What is the difference between regular verbs and weak verbs?
Generally, people consider regular and weak verbs the same, but there is a slight difference between them.
- Regular verbs follow the typical pattern of the language to which they belong. The past tense versions of these verbs are structured by adding ‘ed’ to the end of the verb.
For example
| The base form | Past tense verb |
|---|---|
|
Call |
Called |
|
Decide |
Decided |
|
Beg |
Begged |
|
Dance |
Danced |
On the other hand, weak verbs are verbs whose past tense and past participle are predictable. According to the rule for weak verbs, it is necessary that a verb ending with ‘ed’, d, or t. These verbs also include regular verbs.
For example
| Base form | Past tense | Past participle |
|---|---|---|
|
Bend |
Bent |
Bent |
|
Smile |
Smiled |
Smiled |
|
Drop |
Dropped |
Dropped |
|
Burn |
Burnt |
Burnt |
|
Bake |
Baked |
Baked |
Some weak verbs are not regular verbs. It is different from regular verbs. The regular verb has a certain pattern of following ‘ed’, but on the other hand weak verb should end with ‘ed’, ‘d’, or ‘t’.
Some weak verbs are not regular verbs. It is different from regular verbs. Regular verbs have a certain pattern of following ‘ed, but weak verbs should end with ‘ed’, d, or t.
What is the importance of weak verbs in the English Language?
It plays a vital role in the English language, by adding ed, d, or ‘t’ in base form. A weak verb gives an effective result and sense to the sentence. Writers can make their writing simple and understandable by using such verbs while penning down their thoughts. Weak verbs are used in every domain, like literature, novels, academics, poetry, etc.
- There is no need to memorize weak verbs in comparison to other verb forms. Where there is no such d, ed, or ‘t, the pattern is followed.
- Weak verbs help in presenting the action in the past. For example, She danced on the floor. Here the writer uses the weak verb dance with ‘ed’. This reflects past actions.
- It can help build communication skills and vocabulary. You can improve your communication skills and viability by using weak verbs in your daily life.
- Weak verbs are not new; these verbs are usually used by people in day-to-day life. Weak verbs help improve sentence structure and help you become a professional English writer or speaker. You should know the basic difference between regular and weak verbs and understand weak verb formation and components.
An extensive list of commonly used weak verbs and examples in sentences
These are the most crucial and easy weak verbs which you can learn without facing any hurdles.
example of weak verb are as follows
Transform Your English Skills
Free sign-up for a personalised dashboard, learning tools, and unlimited possibilities!
Sign up Now
Key Takeaways
- Weak verbs are essential from a grammar perspective. It helps in giving structure to the sentence.
- It is easy to recall and understand because it follows a pattern. Weak verbs end with ’ed’, ‘d’, and ‘t’.
- Weak verbs can be regular and irregular verbs. It is opposite to the strong verb. In strong verbs, there is no such pattern followed, and strong verbs have a unique past and participle.
- There are various types of weak verbs, and you should keep the vowel and consonant factors in mind while using these verbs.
- Weak verbs are important for effective communication and for expressing your thoughts. Through regular practice, you can improve your writing skill.
Quiz
Question comes here
Frequently Asked Questions
It is easy to make a distinction between regular and irregular verbs. Regular verbs are predictable verbs that follow a common pattern. You can use these verbs to make your writing effective. These verbs added ‘ed’ to the base form. It doesn’t change its sound or pattern. On the other hand, irregular verbs don’t follow such a pattern as ‘ed’. Irregular verbs have a different expression form from their base form.
- Regular verb: open( based form) opened (past tense) opened (past participle)
- Irregular verb: Sing (based form) sang (past tense) sung (past participle)
Weak verbs are both regular and irregular because weak verbs follow a standard similar to regular verbs. There is a difference between regular and weak verbs: regular verbs follow, d, and ‘t’ at the end of the past tense and past participle. There are various examples where irregular verbs can be used.
Like, ate is a past form of eat,” and this can be used with the word hungrily to reflect the right picture.
Weak verbs follow a predictable pattern of ed, d,” or t. On the other hand, strong verbs don’t follow the same pattern. You cannot predict the string verb.
For example
- Walk (a weak verb)
- Garner: Hammer (strong verb)
It is very simple to identify weak verb sentences. You are simply required to check ed, d, and ‘t’ at the end of the sentence.
Past participles include ‘ed’ with vowels, d with consonants, and ‘t’ at the end of past tense and past participle; on the other hand, strong verbs have no such standardized way. You cannot predict a strong verb base form’s past tense and past participle.
To enhance your grammar skills and improve your verb understanding, you can attempt the worksheet provided by Edulyte. This worksheet, which you will find in the next section, will help you in your practice of weak verbs and their usage in sentences.
