Mastering Irregular Verbs with the -EN Ending

Khan Academy

This educational video provides a clear and engaging grammar lesson focused on a specific category of irregular verbs: those that end in "-en" in their past participle form. The narrator, David, uses a digital whiteboard to visually map out the conjugation patterns of various verbs, distinguishing between standard vowel-shifting verbs (like sing/sang/sung) and the specific group he calls "Taken for a Ride" (verbs like ride/rode/ridden and speak/spoke/spoken). The video explores key themes of verb conjugation, tenses, and pattern recognition in language. It breaks down the three forms of verbs—present, past, and past participle (often referred to as the past perfect form in the video)—and provides concrete examples for each. The narrator covers common irregular verbs including tear, show, prove, bite, ride, eat, speak, be, and go, demonstrating how even the most unusual verbs often follow underlying patterns. For educators, this video serves as an excellent tool for demystifying irregular verbs, which can often be a source of frustration for students. By visually grouping these verbs together based on their ending sound, the video helps students move beyond rote memorization to seeing structural similarities. It is particularly useful for introducing the past participle form and helping students understand the difference between simple past (e.g., "I ate") and perfect tenses (e.g., "I have eaten").