The Irregular Verb Dilemma: Correcting Common Past Tense Errors

Introduction

In the English language, irregular verbs are those that do not follow regular conjugation patterns, making their past tense forms unpredictable. This article explores some common irregular verbs, such as draw, cost, forget, and seek, and how proper usage can improve the clarity and correctness of your writing and speech.

Understanding Irregular Verbs

Irregular verbs are essential in English but can be challenging for learners. Unlike regular verbs, which follow a predictable pattern (e.g., fix - fixed, go - went, seek - sought), irregular verbs have unique past tense and past participle forms. Here are some examples:

Draw - drew Cost - cost Forget - forgot Seek - sought

Learning these irregularities is crucial for proper grammar and effective communication.

Common Misuses and Clarifications

Let's take a closer look at some commonly confused irregular verb forms:

The Word Draw

Correct: I draw a picture today. I drew a better picture yesterday.

Incorrect: I drew a picture today. I drawed a better picture yesterday. (Note: drawed is not a valid past tense form of draw.)

The Word Cost

Correct: My paper costs me $1 today. My paper cost me $1 yesterday.

Incorrect: My paper costed me $1 today. (Note: costed is not a correct form of cost.)

The Word Forget

Correct: I forgot which color suits me best! I forgot the dog. I have forgotten your name.

Incorrect: I forget which color suits me best! I forget the dog. (Note: The past tense of forget is forgot, not forget.)

The Word Seek

Correct: I sought the truth. I had sought the truth for many years.

Incorrect: I seeked the truth. I seeked the truth for many years. (Note: The past forms of seek are sought and sought, respectively.)

Common Misunderstandings

Given the irregular nature of these verbs, it's common to encounter words like drawed, costed, and seeked. Interestingly, many native speakers might still understand the meaning of these words, even if they are not technically correct. However, using these forms in formal or written English can detract from clarity and professionalism.

For example, consider the following sentences:

Correct: The project needs to be fully costed in detail. Incorrect: The project needs to be costed in detail.

Here, the past tense form cost is correct and should be used. Similarly, for cost-related financial terms:

Correct: Their accountants have costed the project at $8.1 million. Incorrect: Their accountants have costed the project at $8.1 million.

The correct form is costed, as it pertains to financial terms involving costs and pricing.

Conclusion

Improving your command of English irregular verbs can greatly enhance your language skills and ensure clear communication. While some native speakers might still use incorrect forms, understanding and using the correct past tense forms of irregular verbs is essential for effective writing and speech.