by Mary and Michael Leppert
67 colorful hard, coated cards, 4.5” H x 2.75” W and Information Cards.
Irregular verbs are one of the true challenges in grammar, whether English, Spanish or other languages. This category of verbs have to be memorized individually. Unlike regular verbs, there is no pattern to these verbs – in other words, they are not regular!
Dr. Wanda Phillips, founder and owner of Easy Grammar Systems, has developed this card deck to offer all students a way to learn the concept of irregularity and easily memorize the verb forms themselves with practice.
Here is an example from the card deck list of 25 verbs:
Present Tense Past Tense Past Participle
begin began begun
break broke broken
choose chose chosen
know knew known
Often, the past participle includes the word “had” or “have” before the verb. Therefore, “had begun,” “had broken,” or “have begun,” “have broken,” etc. The game does not use these auxiliary words, but sticks to the verb itself.
You see, each tense is different and has to be memorized, so you can speak and write correctly without hesitation. Just as in the multiplication tables, if you have to stop and think too often – you don’t know the material.
The game consists of placing the shuffled deck of 67 cards face up. The instructor states the verb, the player will place 3 cards of the verb form in the correct order as shown above – present, past, past participle. Then, the student says, “Today I begin,” “Yesterday I began,” or “Last week I had begun.”
This aids in memory and understanding the sounds of the irregular forms. Once you really grasp the correct sound of the past participle, you won’t forget it. One incorrect example I hear frequently is “had went” instead of “had gone.” Once you play the Easy Grammar Game a few times, you will come to have the same awareness of correct or incorrect irregular verb usage.
The Irregular Verb Game makes learning these challenging word forms easy and enjoyable. Grammar, although one of the most daunting academic topics, is also one of the most enjoyable to master. Nothing makes a person stand out with confidence and knowledge quite like a skillful use of his/her language. Visit Easy Grammar Systems’ website, www.easygrammar.com, to see their complete line of grammar instruction products – books, videos, and others and dive into mastery!
