Key Terms

irregular verb

a verb that has an irregular form in the past tense and past participle. Ex.: choose, chose, chosen

nonstandard forms

forms of verbs used in the dialect of a particular community; these are generally not acceptable in written English or in formal contexts. Ex.: YesterdayI fix the car.

past participle

one of the principal parts of every verb: formed by adding —d or —ed to the present; used with the helping verbs have, has, or had, or with a form of be (with passive verbs).

present participle

one of the principal parts of every verb: formed by adding —ing to the present

principal parts of verbs

the four parts of every verb: present, past, past participle, and present participle
Present Past Past Participle Present Participle
Regular Verb shout shouted shouted shouting
Irregular Verb choose chose chosen choosing

verb tense

the times shown by verbs (present, past, future, etc.)

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