Contrastive
Grammar
English Verbal Forms
Overview of English Verbal
Forms
This presentation explains key concepts of
verbal forms in English, including regular
and irregular verbs, spelling and
pronunciation rules, the verb “to be,”
auxiliary verbs, and modal auxiliary verbs.
Each section will provide rules and
examples to deepen understanding of how
English verbs function in everyday
language.
Regular
Verbs
Regular Verbs in English follow a predictable
pattern when conjugated in the past tense, typically
ending in “-ed” or “-d.” These verbs do not undergo
internal vowel changes or irregular alterations. The
pattern makes them easy to learn and apply to various
grammatical contexts (Green, 2020).
Examples:
1. walk → walked
2. jump → jumped
3. play → played
4. clean → cleaned
Irregular Verbs
Irregular verbs do not Examples:
follow a consistent 1. go → went
conjugation pattern, and
their past tense forms often 2. be →
involve vowel changes or was/were
entirely different words. 3. see → saw
Learning these verbs
requires memorization as 4. eat → ate
there is no single rule
governing their
Rules for Spelling and
Pronunciation in Verbal
Forms
Spelling and pronunciation rules differ depending on the structure of
the verb. Verbs ending in “-e” drop the “-e” when adding “-ed,”
while verbs ending in a consonant often double the consonant if
preceded by a vowel. These rules help maintain proper pronunciation
and clarity in English verb forms (Baker, 2021).
Examples:
1. hope → hoped (drop final “-e”)
2. stop → stopped (double consonant)
3. try → tried (change “y” to “i”)
4. laugh → laughed (no spelling change)
Verb “To Be”
The
Forms
verb “to be” is unique in English as it has
multiple forms depending on tense and subject. In the
present tense, it takes the forms “am,” “is,” and “are,”
while the past tense forms are “was” and “were.” This verb
acts as both a main verb and auxiliary verb, playing a vital
role in forming continuous tenses (Thompson, 2022).
Examples:
1. I am (present)
2. She is (present)
3. We were (past)
4. They are (present)
Auxiliary verbs, also known as
helping verbs, are used
alongside main verbs to form
Auxiliar different tenses, moods, and
y voices. The most common
Verbs
Englis auxiliary verbs are “be,” “have,”
and “do,” which assist
interrogative formsin of
forming
in
h continuous,
(Adams
verbs & Clark,perfect,
Exampl
2020).
es:
1. She is studying.
2. They have
finished.
3. Do you know
him?
4. We are going to
Modal Auxiliary
Verbs
Modal auxiliary verbs express necessity, ability,
permission, or possibility. Unlike regular auxiliary verbs,
modals do not change according to tense or number,
remaining the same regardless of the subject (Watson,
2023).
Examples:
1. He can swim.
2. She must leave early.
3. We should help him.
4. They could visit next week.
Conclusion
Summary of Verbal Forms in English
In summary, understanding English verbal
forms, from regular and irregular verbs to
auxiliary and modal verbs, is crucial for
mastering the language. Knowing the specific
rules for spelling and pronunciation helps in
proper usage, while familiarity with “to be”
and auxiliary forms enhances sentence
construction. Each of these components plays
an essential role in English grammar.
Referenc
es
Works Cited
•Adams, M., & Clark, J. (2020).
Mastering English Grammar. Oxford
University Press.
•Baker, S. (2021). Spelling and
Pronunciation in English. Cambridge
University Press.
•Green, P. (2020). Regular Verbs
and Their Patterns. Longman.
•Johnson, A., & Smith, D. (2019).
Irregular Verbs in Modern English.
HarperCollins.
•Thompson, L. (2022). The English
Verb “To Be” and Its Uses. Routledge.
