Why are some verbs considered irregular?

Question

How are irregular verbs different from regular verbs?

Answer 1

They are irregular because they don't follow the general pattern.

For example, a regular verb ending in -ar is conjugated as follows in the present tense indicative. Remove the ending, and use these endings instead:-o -as -a, -amos, áis, an

cantar -> cant-

• cant-o
• cant-as
• cant-a
• cant-amos
• cant-áis
• cant-an

An irregular verb like estar doesn't follow this pattern. Notice how even the stress changes:

estar -> est-

• est-o (correct: est-oy)
• est-as (correct: est-ás)
• est-a (correct: est-á)
• est-amos
• est-áis
• est-an (correct: est-án)

Answer 2

Coz they don't eat enough fiber, and have trouble going to the bathroom.

(Sorry, bad joke, don't mind me, somebody nice will give you the proper explanation shortly)

Really Gekko!!!!! - geofc, Aug 15, 2017

Lol - rac1, Aug 15, 2017

Answer 3

If a verb ends in -ed in the past and past participle it's regular

work worked worked

If it's anything else it's irregular

begin began begun

Though she hasn't bothered to say she is interested in Spanish verbs her other questions are about Spanish. - Mardle, Aug 15, 2017

Answer 4

Hi! Look how these regular verbs conjugate:

Yo canto; Tú cantas; Él/Ella canta; Nosotros/as cantamos; Ellos/as cantan

Yo bailo; Tú bailas; Él/Ella baila; Nosotros/as bailamos; Ellos/as bailan

Now look at these irregular verbs:

Yo soy; Tú eres; Él/Ella es; Nosotros/as somos; Ellos/as son

Yo voy; Tú vas; Él/Ella va; Nosotros/as vamos; Ellos/as van

The first two verbs follow a regular pattern. The last two are different, therefore, they are irregular (however, it is possible to find some regularities in the irregularities ).

Answer 5

Hello!

This link from 2009 was discussed before. "How to know if a verb is regular or irregular"?

Hope this helps.

Regards!

Lazarus answered beautifully in that one Like his comment about true meaning of irregular. - Mardle, Aug 15, 2017

Answer 6

They don't follow a pattern.