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Verbs and verb phrases: typical errors

We always need an e in the -ed form (past simple and -ed form) of regular verbs:

  • She joined the company two years ago.
  • Not: She joind the company two years ago.

With irregular verbs where the vowel changes from i to a to u (e.g. begin, began, begun), take care to use a in the past simple and u in the -ed form:

  • The film began at 7.30. (past simple form)

  • Not: The film begun at 7.30.

  • I was so thirsty I drank a whole bottle of water. (past simple form)

  • Not: I was so thirsty I drunk …

  • The ship had sunk in the North Atlantic. (-ed form)

  • Not: The ship had sank …

Other verbs like this are: ring, sing, swim.

See also
  • Verbs

We change verbs ending in -y to -ied for the past simple and -ed forms:

  • The baby cried all night.
  • Not: The baby cryed all night.
See also
  • Verbs: basic forms

Be careful with irregular verbs where the base form ends in -d and the past tense ends in -t:

  • We spent a lot of money yesterday.
  • Not: We spend a lot of money yesterday.
See also
  • Verbs

We don’t use the regular past simple or -ed form for an irregular verb:

  • She spent a week in Lisbon.

  • Not: She spended a week in Lisbon.

  • I was afraid of being hurt.

  • Not: I was afraid of being hurted.

See also
  • Irregular verbs

Be careful not to use the past simple form instead of the base form:

  • It’s not easy to choose a university.
  • Not: It’s not easy to chose a university.
See also
  • Verbs: basic forms

Be careful with verbs which have similar pronunciation but a different meaning:

  • I fell and broke my ankle.
  • Not: I felt and broke my ankle. (Fell is the past tense of fall; felt is the past tense of feel.)

Sometimes a verb is confused with another word which sounds similar but is from a different word class:

  • You need to practise harder if you want to play better.
  • Not: You need to practice harder.

We don’t use prepositions with some verbs:

  • We discussed some environmental problems.

  • Not: We discussed about some environmental problems.

  • Did you enjoy Italy?

  • Not: Did you enjoy in Italy?

We have to use the correct preposition with prepositional verbs:

  • The download time depends on your internet connection speed.

  • Not: … depends of your internet connection speed.

  • I like to listen to the radio while I’m having breakfast.

  • Not: I like to listen the radio …

See also
  • Verbs: basic forms
  • Prepositional verbs

We don’t use the continuous form of state verbs:

  • A: Where is she from?
  • B: She comes from Tanzania originally.
  • Not: She’s coming from Tanzania …
See also
  • State and action verbs