IRREGULAR VERBS EXERCISE 1 (ESL)
A1–A2 · BeginnerIrregular verbs are among the first things English learners need to memorize — and knowing both the past simple and past participle forms is essential for using the perfect tenses correctly. This exercise covers 10 high-frequency irregular verbs at beginner level.
Complete each sentence with the correct form of the irregular verb in parentheses.
1.He ________ to get very angry. (to begin)
Correct answer: began — begin/began/begun — no auxiliary verb → use the simple past: began.
2.I ________ my glasses when I fell. (to break)
Correct answer: broke — break/broke/broken — no auxiliary verb → use the simple past: broke.
3.Those kids have ________ five windows playing baseball. (to break)
Correct answer: broken — break/broke/broken — have broken → present perfect requires the past participle.
4.I have ________ studying French. (to begin)
Correct answer: begun — begin/began/begun — have begun → present perfect requires the past participle.
5.He told me that he had ________ all the work himself. (to do)
Correct answer: done — do/did/done — had done → past perfect requires the past participle.
6.Have you ________ yet today? (to eat)
Correct answer: eaten — eat/ate/eaten — have eaten → present perfect requires the past participle.
7.My father has ________ me to talk to you. (to forbid)
Correct answer: forbidden — forbid/forbade/forbidden — has forbidden → present perfect requires the past participle.
8.I ________ him stealing that woman's purse. (to catch)
Correct answer: caught — catch/caught/caught — no auxiliary verb → use the simple past: caught.
9.He must have ________ 8 beers last night. (to drink)
Correct answer: drunk — drink/drank/drunk — must have drunk → modal + have + past participle.
10.I ________ down and broke my arm. (to fall)
Correct answer: fell — fall/fell/fallen — no auxiliary verb → use the simple past: fell.
KEEP PRACTICING — MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU:
Irregular verbs 2 (B1/B2)
Present perfect continuous 1 (B1/B2)
Present perfect continuous 2 (A1/A2)
Simple past or present perfect? 1 (B1/B2)
Simple past or present perfect? 2 (B1/B2)
Simple past or present perfect? 3 (B1/B2)
Simple present or present continuous? 1 (B1/B2)
Simple present or present continuous? 2 (B1/B2)
Present continuous 1 (A2/B1)
Present continuous 2 (A2/B1)
Browse all grammar exercises →
Irregular verbs 2 (B1/B2)
Present perfect continuous 1 (B1/B2)
Present perfect continuous 2 (A1/A2)
Simple past or present perfect? 1 (B1/B2)
Simple past or present perfect? 2 (B1/B2)
Simple past or present perfect? 3 (B1/B2)
Simple present or present continuous? 1 (B1/B2)
Simple present or present continuous? 2 (B1/B2)
Present continuous 1 (A2/B1)
Present continuous 2 (A2/B1)
Browse all grammar exercises →
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