This document provides a summary of 3 sentences or less: The presentation covers the proper use of regular and irregular verb forms on standardized tests. It provides examples of correctly and incorrectly used verbs and encourages relying on intuition when unsure of a verb's proper form to choose the answer that "feels right". A short practice test with multiple choice questions on verb forms is also included to allow for application of the concepts.

1. chomp!
chomp!
This presentation is
brought to you by
Grammar Bytes!,
©2017 by Robin L.
Simmons.
This presentation is
brought to you by
Grammar Bytes!,
©2017 by Robin L.
Simmons.

2. Verb FormsVerb FormsVerb FormsVerb Forms
I know you can
say hook ,
hooked ...
I know you can
say hook ,
hooked ...
But can you
say took,
tooked?
But can you
say took,
tooked?

3. This
presentation
covers the use
of standard
regular and
irregular verb
forms.
This
presentation
covers the use
of standard
regular and
irregular verb
forms.
A verb form item on anA verb form item on an
objective test might lookobjective test might look
like thislike this .. .. ..

4. Sample ItemSample ItemSample ItemSample Item
Thomas sang along until the CD ended; then asThomas sang along until the CD ended; then as
he was choosing a new disk, he lost control ofhe was choosing a new disk, he lost control of
the car and drived into a ditch.the car and drived into a ditch.
A.A.sungsung
B.B.chosingchosing
C.C.drovedrove
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
ThomasThomas sangsang along until the CD ended; then asalong until the CD ended; then as
AA
he washe was choosingchoosing a new disk, he lost control ofa new disk, he lost control of
BB
the car andthe car and driveddrived into a ditch.into a ditch.
CC
A.A.sungsung
B.B.chosingchosing
C.C.drovedrove
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
ThomasThomas sangsang along until the CD ended; then asalong until the CD ended; then as
AA
he washe was choosingchoosing a new disk, he lost control ofa new disk, he lost control of
BB
the car andthe car and drovedrove into a ditch.into a ditch.
CC
A.A.sungsung
B.B.chosingchosing
C.C.drovedrove
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Is sang,
choosing, or
drived a badly
formed verb?
Is sang,
choosing, or
drived a badly
formed verb?
Drived is
incorrect, which
option C fixes.
Drived is
incorrect, which
option C fixes.

5. Regular verbs have reliableRegular verbs have reliable
forms.forms.
Regular verbs have reliableRegular verbs have reliable
forms.forms.
Infinitive
Simple
Present
Simple
Past
Past
Participle
Present
Participle
to laugh laugh(s) laughed laughed laughing
to start start(s) started started starting
to travel travel(s) traveled traveled traveling
Or to fish,
fish(es), fished,
fished, fishing!
Or to fish,
fish(es), fished,
fished, fishing!

6. Irregular verbs, however, have noIrregular verbs, however, have no
consistent patterns.consistent patterns.
Irregular verbs, however, have noIrregular verbs, however, have no
consistent patterns.consistent patterns.
Infinitive
Simple
Present
Simple
Past
Past
Participle
Present
Participle
to drive drive(s) drove driven driving
to think think(s) thought thought thinking
to drink drink(s) drank drunk drinking
to swim swim(s) swam swum swimming
For example, to catch,
catch(es), caught,
caught, catching!
For example, to catch,
catch(es), caught,
caught, catching!

7. On many objective exams, youOn many objective exams, you
cancannotnot use a dictionary to lookuse a dictionary to look
up the correct form!up the correct form!
On many objective exams, youOn many objective exams, you
cancannotnot use a dictionary to lookuse a dictionary to look
up the correct form!up the correct form!
XX

8. When in doubt, rely onWhen in doubt, rely on
“gut” feelings.“gut” feelings.
When in doubt, rely onWhen in doubt, rely on
“gut” feelings.“gut” feelings.
Hey, I’ve seen
that verb
before!
Hey, I’ve seen
that verb
before!
Your eyes haveYour eyes have seenseen in printin print——and yourand your
brain hasbrain has registeredregistered——all of the possibleall of the possible
verb forms that you will encounter for thisverb forms that you will encounter for this
skill. If you don’tskill. If you don’t recognizerecognize the rightthe right
answer, go with the one thatanswer, go with the one that feelsfeels right.right.

9. Instead of skipping class to go fishing,Instead of skipping class to go fishing,
Yolanda should of studied for herYolanda should of studied for her
accounting exam.accounting exam.
Don’t confuseDon’t confuse ofof andand havehave..Don’t confuseDon’t confuse ofof andand havehave..
My grade
was a
disaster!
My grade
was a
disaster!
Instead of skipping class to go fishing,Instead of skipping class to go fishing,
Yolanda shouldYolanda should havehave studied for herstudied for her
accounting exam.accounting exam.

10. Confirm thatConfirm that used toused to is in theis in the
past tense.past tense.
Confirm thatConfirm that used toused to is in theis in the
past tense.past tense.
Now that he’s older, Fred has a full-time job,Now that he’s older, Fred has a full-time job,
but he use to spend his summers fishing.but he use to spend his summers fishing.
You’re a bad
influence!
You’re a bad
influence!
Now that he’s older, Fred has a full-time job,Now that he’s older, Fred has a full-time job,
but hebut he usedused to spend his summers fishing.to spend his summers fishing.

11. Quick TestQuick TestQuick TestQuick Test
Directions:Directions: In the items that follow, chooseIn the items that follow, choose
the option that corrects an error in thethe option that corrects an error in the
underlined portion(s). If no error exists, chooseunderlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose
“No change is necessary.”“No change is necessary.”
Show me
what you
know.
Show me
what you
know.

12. Item 1Item 1Item 1Item 1
We knew that Charley had hid the cookies inWe knew that Charley had hid the cookies in
his bedroom, so we stole his key and searched inhis bedroom, so we stole his key and searched in
all the dresser drawers.all the dresser drawers.
A.A.knowedknowed
B.B.hiddenhidden
C.C.stealedstealed
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
WeWe knewknew that Charley hadthat Charley had hidhid the cookies inthe cookies in
AA BB
his bedroom, so wehis bedroom, so we stolestole his key and searched inhis key and searched in
CC
all the dresser drawers.all the dresser drawers.
A.A.knowedknowed
B.B.hiddenhidden
C.C.stealedstealed
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
WeWe knewknew that Charley hadthat Charley had hiddenhidden the cookies inthe cookies in
AA BB
his bedroom, so wehis bedroom, so we stolestole his key and searched inhis key and searched in
CC
all the dresser drawers.all the dresser drawers.
A.A.knowedknowed
B.B.hiddenhidden
C.C.stealedstealed
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

13. Item 2Item 2Item 2Item 2
If we had known that you were serving squidIf we had known that you were serving squid
eyeball stew, we would of come for dinner!eyeball stew, we would of come for dinner!
A.A.of cameof came
B.B.have camehave came
C.C.have comehave come
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
If we had known that you were serving squidIf we had known that you were serving squid
eyeball stew, we wouldeyeball stew, we would of comeof come for dinner!for dinner!
A.A.of cameof came
B.B.have camehave came
C.C.have comehave come
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
If we had known that you were serving squidIf we had known that you were serving squid
eyeball stew, we wouldeyeball stew, we would of comeof come for dinner!for dinner!
A.A.of cameof came
B.B.have camehave came
C.C.have comehave come
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

14. Item 3Item 3Item 3Item 3
Priscilla use to have a pet parakeet; her mother’sPriscilla use to have a pet parakeet; her mother’s
story is that the bird escaped and flew away, butstory is that the bird escaped and flew away, but
Priscilla believes that the cat ate it.Priscilla believes that the cat ate it.
A.A.usedused
B.B.fliedflied
C.C.eateneaten
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
PriscillaPriscilla useuse to have a pet parakeet; her mother’sto have a pet parakeet; her mother’s
AA
story is that the bird escaped andstory is that the bird escaped and flewflew away, butaway, but
BB
Priscilla believes that the catPriscilla believes that the cat ateate it.it.
CC
A.A.usedused
B.B.fliedflied
C.C.eateneaten
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
PriscillaPriscilla usedused to have a pet parakeet; her mother’sto have a pet parakeet; her mother’s
AA
story is that the bird escaped andstory is that the bird escaped and flewflew away, butaway, but
BB
Priscilla believes that the catPriscilla believes that the cat ateate it.it.
CC
A.A.usedused
B.B.fliedflied
C.C.eateneaten
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

15. Item 4Item 4Item 4Item 4
Julissa was soaked during the afternoonJulissa was soaked during the afternoon
thunderstorm because she had choosed to walk tothunderstorm because she had choosed to walk to
school rather than drive.school rather than drive.
A.A.chosenchosen
B.B.choosenchoosen
C.C.chosechose
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Julissa was soaked during the afternoonJulissa was soaked during the afternoon
thunderstorm because she hadthunderstorm because she had choosedchoosed to walk toto walk to
school rather than drive.school rather than drive.
A.A.chosenchosen
B.B.choosenchoosen
C.C.chosechose
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Julissa was soaked during the afternoonJulissa was soaked during the afternoon
thunderstorm because she hadthunderstorm because she had choosedchoosed to walk toto walk to
school rather than drive.school rather than drive.
A.A.chosenchosen
B.B.choosenchoosen
C.C.chosechose
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

16. Item 5Item 5Item 5Item 5
James brung roses and begged forgiveness, butJames brung roses and begged forgiveness, but
when Rhonda saw that her ex still hadn’t shavedwhen Rhonda saw that her ex still hadn’t shaved
his ridiculous mustache, she shut the door in hishis ridiculous mustache, she shut the door in his
face.face.
A.A.broughtbrought
B.B.seenseen
C.C.shuttedshutted
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
JamesJames brungbrung roses and begged forgiveness, butroses and begged forgiveness, but
AA
when Rhondawhen Rhonda sawsaw that her ex still hadn’t shavedthat her ex still hadn’t shaved
BB
his ridiculous mustache, shehis ridiculous mustache, she shutshut the door in histhe door in his
CC
face.face.
A.A.broughtbrought
B.B.seenseen
C.C.shuttedshutted
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
JamesJames broughtbrought roses and begged forgiveness, butroses and begged forgiveness, but
AA
when Rhondawhen Rhonda sawsaw that her ex still hadn’t shavedthat her ex still hadn’t shaved
BB
his ridiculous mustache, shehis ridiculous mustache, she shutshut the door in histhe door in his
CC
face.face.
A.A.broughtbrought
B.B.seenseen
C.C.shuttedshutted
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

17. Item 6Item 6Item 6Item 6
If Toby had tooken Charlene’s advice, that bottle ofIf Toby had tooken Charlene’s advice, that bottle of
soda wouldn’t have exploded all over the front ofsoda wouldn’t have exploded all over the front of
his new white shirt.his new white shirt.
A.A.tooktook
B.B.tookedtooked
C.C.takentaken
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
If Toby hadIf Toby had tookentooken Charlene’s advice, that bottleCharlene’s advice, that bottle
of soda wouldn’t have exploded all over the front ofof soda wouldn’t have exploded all over the front of
his new white shirt.his new white shirt.
A.A.tooktook
B.B.tookedtooked
C.C.takentaken
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
If Toby hadIf Toby had tookentooken Charlene’s advice, that bottleCharlene’s advice, that bottle
of soda wouldn’t have exploded all over the front ofof soda wouldn’t have exploded all over the front of
his new white shirt.his new white shirt.
A.A.tooktook
B.B.tookedtooked
C.C.takentaken
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

18. Item 7Item 7Item 7Item 7
Cooper laid the 10-page paper on ProfessorCooper laid the 10-page paper on Professor
Cook’s desk; he had wrote the last sentence atCook’s desk; he had wrote the last sentence at
2:50 p.m., and then he ran across campus to2:50 p.m., and then he ran across campus to
deliver the work by the 3 o’clock deadline.deliver the work by the 3 o’clock deadline.
A.A.layedlayed
B.B.writtenwritten
C.C.runrun
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
CooperCooper laidlaid the 10-page paper on Professorthe 10-page paper on Professor
AA
Cook’s desk; he hadCook’s desk; he had wrotewrote the last sentence atthe last sentence at
BB
2:50 p.m., and then he2:50 p.m., and then he ranran across campus toacross campus to
CC
deliver the work by the 3 o’clock deadline.deliver the work by the 3 o’clock deadline.
A.A.layedlayed
B.B.writtenwritten
C.C.runrun
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
CooperCooper laidlaid the 10-page paper on Professorthe 10-page paper on Professor
AA
Cook’s desk; he hadCook’s desk; he had writtenwritten the last sentence atthe last sentence at
BB
2:50 p.m., and then he2:50 p.m., and then he ranran across campus toacross campus to
CC
deliver the work by the 3 o’clock deadline.deliver the work by the 3 o’clock deadline.
A.A.layedlayed
B.B.writtenwritten
C.C.runrun
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

19. Item 8Item 8Item 8Item 8
We would have knowen that Dr. Carlson hadWe would have knowen that Dr. Carlson had
moved up the date of the quiz if we attended hermoved up the date of the quiz if we attended her
calculus class more frequently.calculus class more frequently.
A.A.of knowenof knowen
B.B.have knownhave known
C.C.have knewhave knew
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
We wouldWe would have knowenhave knowen that Dr. Carlson hadthat Dr. Carlson had
moved up the date of the quiz if we attended hermoved up the date of the quiz if we attended her
calculus class more frequently.calculus class more frequently.
A.A.of knowenof knowen
B.B.have knownhave known
C.C.have knewhave knew
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
We wouldWe would have knowenhave knowen that Dr. Carlson hadthat Dr. Carlson had
moved up the date of the quiz if we attended hermoved up the date of the quiz if we attended her
calculus class more frequently.calculus class more frequently.
A.A.of knowenof knowen
B.B.have knownhave known
C.C.have knewhave knew
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

20. Item 9Item 9Item 9Item 9
Margaret breaked the cookie and gave half toMargaret breaked the cookie and gave half to
the young man stuck in the elevator with her; theythe young man stuck in the elevator with her; they
told stories to pass the time as mechanicstold stories to pass the time as mechanics
worked on the hydraulics.worked on the hydraulics.
A.A.brokebroke
B.B.givedgived
C.C.telledtelled
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
MargaretMargaret breakedbreaked the cookie andthe cookie and gavegave half tohalf to
AA BB
the young man stuck in the elevator with her; theythe young man stuck in the elevator with her; they
toldtold stories to pass the time as mechanicsstories to pass the time as mechanics
CC
worked on the hydraulics.worked on the hydraulics.
A.A.brokebroke
B.B.givedgived
C.C.telledtelled
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
MargaretMargaret brokebroke the cookie andthe cookie and gavegave half tohalf to
AA BB
the young man stuck in the elevator with her; theythe young man stuck in the elevator with her; they
toldtold stories to pass the time as mechanicsstories to pass the time as mechanics
CC
worked on the hydraulics.worked on the hydraulics.
A.A.brokebroke
B.B.givedgived
C.C.telledtelled
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

21. Item 10Item 10Item 10Item 10
Meredith would have went to the concert, butMeredith would have went to the concert, but
Gregory misplaced the tickets, which they stillGregory misplaced the tickets, which they still
haven’t found.haven’t found.
A.A.of wentof went
B.B.have gonehave gone
C.C.have goedhave goed
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Meredith wouldMeredith would have wenthave went to the concert, butto the concert, but
Gregory misplaced the tickets, which they stillGregory misplaced the tickets, which they still
haven’t found.haven’t found.
A.A.of wentof went
B.B.have gonehave gone
C.C.have goedhave goed
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Meredith wouldMeredith would have wenthave went to the concert, butto the concert, but
Gregory misplaced the tickets, which they stillGregory misplaced the tickets, which they still
haven’t found.haven’t found.
A.A.of wentof went
B.B.have gonehave gone
C.C.have goedhave goed
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

22. chomp!
chomp!
Grammar Bytes!
provides additional
handouts and exercises on
irregular verb forms.
Go to
chompchomp.com!
Grammar Bytes!
provides additional
handouts and exercises on
irregular verb forms.
Go to
chompchomp.com!

23. The End.The End.
Don’t let the
right verb
form get
away!
Don’t let the
right verb
form get
away!