Exploring the Truly Irregular Verbs in English

Khan Academy

This educational video dives deep into the most unusual and unpredictable irregular verbs in the English language—verbs that don't follow even the standard patterns of irregularity. The narrator, David, categorizes these "truly irregular" verbs into four distinct groups: those ending in "-ught," those with a vowel shift plus a "d" sound, verbs that do not change at all between present and past tense, and the unique modal auxiliary verbs. The video systematically breaks down confusing verb transformations like "teach" to "taught" and "flee" to "fled," while clarifying the pronunciation quirks of words like "said." It also highlights a fascinating group of verbs where "time does not exist" (like "bet" and "hurt"), and explains the silent "l" found in modal verbs like "could," "should," and "would." For educators, this resource is an excellent tool for tackling the rote memorization required for these specific verbs. It provides a logical framework for grouping otherwise random words, making them easier for students to recall. The humorous and encouraging tone helps demystify complex grammar rules, making it perfect for upper elementary students mastering past tense or English Language Learners refining their mechanics.