What is an Interjection?

An interjection is a word added to a sentence to convey emotion. It is not grammatically related to any other part of the sentence.

You usually follow an interjection with an exclamation mark. Interjections are uncommon in formal academic prose, except in direct quotations.

The highlighted words in the following sentences are interjections:

Ouch, that hurt!

Oh no, I forgot that the exam was today.

Hey! Put that down!

I heard one guy say to another guy, "He has a new car, eh?"

I don't know about you but, good lord, I think taxes are too high!

Written by Heather MacFadyen

What is a Preposition?

A preposition links nouns, pronouns and phrases to other words in a sentence. The word or phrase that the preposition introduces is called the object of the preposition.

A preposition usually indicates the temporal, spatial or logical relationship of its object to the rest of the sentence as in the following examples:

The book is on the table.

The book is beneath the table.

The book is leaning against the table.

The book is beside the table.

She held the book over the table.

She read the book during class.

In each of the preceding sentences, a preposition locates the noun "book" in space or in time.

A prepositional phrase is made up of the preposition, its object and any associated adjectives or adverbs. A prepositional phrase can function as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. The most common prepositions are "about," "above," "across," "after," "against," "along," "among," "around," "at," "before," "behind," "below," "beneath," "beside," "between," "beyond," "but," "by," "despite," "down," "during," "except," "for," "from," "in," "inside," "into," "like," "near," "of," "off," "on," "onto," "out," "outside," "over," "past," "since," "through," "throughout," "till," "to," "toward," "under," "underneath," "until," "up," "upon," "with," "within," and "without."

Each of the highlighted words in the following sentences is a preposition:

The children climbed the mountain without fear.

In this sentence, the preposition "without" introduces the noun "fear." The prepositional phrase "without fear" functions as an adverb describing how the children climbed.

There was rejoicing throughout the land when the government was defeated.

Here, the preposition "throughout" introduces the noun phrase "the land." The prepositional phrase acts as an adverb describing the location of the rejoicing.

The spider crawled slowly along the banister.

The preposition "along" introduces the noun phrase "the banister" and the prepositional phrase "along the banister" acts as an adverb, describing where the spider crawled.

The dog is hiding under the porch because it knows it will be punished for chewing up a new pair of shoes.

Here the preposition "under" introduces the prepositional phrase "under the porch," which acts as an adverb modifying the compound verb "is hiding."

The screenwriter searched for the manuscript he was certain was somewhere in his office.

Similarly in this sentence, the preposition "in" introduces a prepositional phrase "in his office," which acts as an adverb describing the location of the missing papers.

Written by Heather MacFadyen

Sundanese

Indonesia Table of Contents

Although there are many social, economic, and political similarities between the Javanese and Sundanese, differences abound. The Sundanese live principally in West Java, but their language is not intelligible to the Javanese. The more than 21 million Sundanese in 1992 had stronger ties to Islam than the Javanese, in terms of pesantren enrollment and religious affiliation. Although the Sundanese language, like Javanese, possesses elaborate speech levels, these forms of respect are infused with Islamic values, such as the traditional notion of hormat (respect--knowing and fulfilling one's proper position in society). Children are taught that the task of behaving with proper hormat is also a religious struggle--the triumph of akal (reason) over nafsu (desire). These dilemmas are spelled out in the pesantren, where children learn to memorize the Quran in Arabic. Through copious memorization and practice in correct pronunciation, children learn that reasonable behavior means verbal conformity with authority and subjective interpretation is a sign of inappropriate individualism.

Although Sundanese religious practices share some of the HinduBuddhist beliefs of their Javanese neighbors--for example, the animistic beliefs in spirits and the emphasis on right thinking and self-control as a way of controlling those spirits--Sundanese courtly traditions differ from those of the Javanese. The Sundanese language possesses an elaborate and sophisticated literature preserved in Indic scripts and in puppet dramas. These dramas use distinctive wooden dolls (wayang golek, as contrasted with the wayang kulit of the Javanese and Balinese), but Sundanese courts have aligned themselves more closely to universalistic tenets of Islam than have the elite classes of Central Java.

As anthropologist Jessica Glicken observed, Islam is a particularly visible and audible presence in the life of the Sundanese. She reported that "[t]he calls to the five daily prayers, broadcast over loudspeakers from each of the many mosques in the city [Bandung], punctuate each day. On Friday at noon, sarong-clad men and boys fill the streets on their way to the mosques to join the midday prayer known as the Juma'atan which provides the visible definition of the religious community (ummah) in the Sundanese community." She also emphasized the militant pride with which Islam is viewed in Sundanese areas. "As I traveled around the province in 1981, people would point with pride to areas of particular heavy military activity during the Darul Islam period."

It is not surprising that the Sunda region was an important site for the Muslim separatist Darul Islam rebellion that began in the 1948 and continued until 1962. The underlying causes of this rebellion have been a source of controversy, however. Political scientist Karl D. Jackson, trying to determine why men did or did not participate in the rebellion, argued that religious convictions were less of a factor than individual life histories. Men participated in the rebellion if they had personal allegiance to a religious or village leader who persuaded them to do so.

Although Sundanese and Javanese possess similar family structures, economic patterns, and political systems, they feel some rivalry toward one another. As interregional migration increased in the 1980s and 1990s, the tendency to stereotype one another's adat in highly contrastive terms intensified, even as actual economic and social behavior were becoming increasingly interdependent.

Culture of Indonesian

Indonesia is made up of over 336 separate ethnic groups whose cultural identities have been influenced by outsiders who have invaded, colonized, traded, or visited this vast archipelago. Over the centuries, Chinese, Indian, Malay, Arabs, Portuguese, Dutch, British, Japanese and Americans have all had a part in the cultural jigsaw puzzle that makes up Indonesia today. Although Islam is the dominant religion (Indonesia has the largest number of Muslims in the world), Buddhism, Christianity, and Hinduism are also practiced, some groups mixing elements of animism and different faiths into one. Literally hundreds of distinct languages are spoken all over the country, but most people are conversant in the country's official language, Bahasa Indonesia, to overcome cross-culture language barriers that could easily occur in the neighboring village! As a tribute to Indonesia's rich cultural tapestry, Indonesia's national symbol, the mythical Garuda bird, grasps a fitting ribbon of words: "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika", meaning "Unite in Diversity." Indonesia is fascinating in its ethnographic diversity. The Negrito descendants, with their dark skin and wooly hair, who now occupy parts of Irian Jaya and the far eastern islands of Indonesia, may have been the first migrants to Indonesia about 30,000 years ago. The next infusion of migrants are thought to be Proto-Malay whose fairer-skinned, straight-haired characteristics are manifested in Trojans of Slaws, the Dayaks of Borneo and the Batiks of Sumatra. The second infusion of Deutero-Malay mainly settled in Java and Sumatra and brought with them elements of the Bronze Age civilization of Indochina. With the help of significant physical barriers such as seas, rivers, mountains and volcanoes, different sets of customs and beliefs evolved separately within various groups and much of this is maintained and respected to this day by all.

Bali

People History Lifestyle Religion

People

The large majority of the 3,000,000 people of Bali practice a unique religion called Agama Hindu Dharma. Their religion is deep-rooted in spirituality, which is manifested in their culture as an essential part of daily life. Unlike Hinduism in India, the Balinese have elements of Buddhism, Hinduism, Javanese and indigenous beliefs mixed into their religion. At one time, many people in Java and Sumatra practiced this form of Hinduism until Islam was introduced in the 15th century. Rather than converting, many of the courtiers, artists, musicians and craftsmen fled to Bali as a safe haven for their ideals and talents. Even with the large influx of tourists to Bali, the strong religion and the culture of the Balinese endures, and adapts ever so slightly with the changing times. Everyday, beautiful offerings of flowers, rice, sugar and incense are placed, not only in each person's home and place of work, but also in their automobiles and at traffic intersections! Prayers are offered to the high spirits that dwell in the mountains, as well as to the low and sometimes evil spirits that dwell in the sea. The Balinese are highly aware of balance, harmony, and forces of good and evil. Even in their traditional dances, violent power struggles of the wicked and the pure often take place though usually with a happy ending. One of the more impressive characteristics of the Balinese is the artistic skill so many of them possess and seemingly take for granted. Creation of intricate offerings and elaborate decorations for temple ceremonies is simply a matter of religious obligation. The island is full of woodcarvers, painters, dancers, and musicians, much to the delight of the thousands who visit this beautiful island from all over the world.

History

When the Dutch came to colonize Indonesia, Bali became embroiled in the struggle against the colonists. It was not until 1906, after terrible massacres in which entire Balinese royal families fought to the bitter end, choosing death rather than captivity, that Bali was forcibly brought under Dutch control. During the years of Dutch rule, the administration did not try to change local tradition or cultural and religious practices. With independence, Bali became a province of the Republic of Indonesia.

Lifestyle

With the notable exception of the city of Denpasar, the lifestyle of the people of Bali is agricultural and slow-moving, even idyllic. Where the landscape is not given to impenetrable jungles or high volcanic mountains, it is carved as if by giant hands into tier after tier of rice paddies. The tiny villages are composed of brick houses with the obligatory Hindu temple, piled high with offerings. Bali is called the island of one thousand temples, but that is certainly an understatement. The lives of the entire population of 3,000,000 islanders are focused on Hinduism; its rites and festivals are the backbone of Bali's cultural and social life.

Religion

From the very earliest time of the Hindu religion, the site of Tampaksiring, a holy spring which is the source of the Pekerison River, has been sacred to the Balinese. The ritual bathing place, the temples and the beauty of the area bring a continuous stream of islanders as well as visitors. Pools for ritual purification constitute a vital part of the religion and are to be found throughout the island.

Lombok

People

The predominant ethnic group of Lombok is the agrarian Sesak people although the island also supports a population of about 85,000 Balinese on the western side. The larger towns of Ampenan and Mataram are also populated by a handful of relatively prosperous Chinese and Arab merchants. Many Sasak people practice their own version of Islam called the "Wetu Telu", which literally means "[to pray] three times a day" and includes strong elements of animism. Gunung Rinjani is sacred to both the Sasak and the Balinese of Lombok. Both groups make full-moon ascents up the slopes to bathe in the volcanic hot springs, pay homage to spirits, and toss offerings into the crater lake of Danau Segara Anak. Lombok has long been one of Indonesia's poorest islands, but is beginning to reap some rewards from growing tourism since the early 1990's. The majority of villages remain untouched by the influence of visitors and most people are still involved in the day-to-day tasks of farming rice, tobacco, soybeans, corn and peanuts. A few villages scattered through the island are known for high-quality pottery and hand weavings. Produced by the women of the villages who create these objects for everyday use in their homes.

Sumbawa

People

Sumbawa is divided into two main regions; Sumbawa Besar, where inhabitants mainly speak the Sasak language, and Bima, which has a language similar to that of Flores and Alor. Islam is predominant and is evident in places such as Sape, where women cover their heads and parts of their face with their colorful cotton sarongs. Most people are farmers but their land is very arid and requires the arduous task of hand-watering in the dry season. The barren terraces that line the country-side during the dry season suddenly flourish into green rice paddies during the rainy season as farmers rush to cultivate their fields. The inhabitants of the coastal regions, some of whom are originally Makassarese and Bugis from Sulawesi, are involved in fishing activities, coconut plantations, fish farming, and sea salt production.

Moyo

The people of Moyo mainly speak the language of Bima and are originally from Sumbawa or South Sulawesi. Many are involved in copra farming on this low-rising island although a secluded luxury resort employs a number of locals on a causal basis. Although most of Moyo is considered a nature reserve, the island is a favorite hunting ground for Indonesian high officials and "friends of the government" for wild boar, banteng and deer, which live in the scrubby low-land forests. Huge colonies of flying foxes with a wing span of over a meter, also occupy this island. Some nestle peacefully in between the coastal villages as well as on the neighboring island of Satonda.

Komodo National Park

People

The islands of Komodo National Park have some of the lowest human population densities in Indonesia, due to the low carrying capacity of the island. A few villages exist on Rinca and only one on Komodo. The people are a mixture of settlers from Sumbawa, Sulawesi and the seafaring Bajo people. Agriculture, with the exception of coconut trees, is virtually impossible on the island, due to the shortage of water most of the year. Most people are involved exclusively in fishing for squid. During new moon nights, bright kerosene lamps are attached onto their spidery wooden outriggers to attract these phototropic animals into lowered nets.

Conduct During Your Expedition to Indonesia

A few basic rules of conduct may be helpful in making your visit to Indonesia more comfortable for you and your Indonesian hosts. The locals will appreciate your sensitivity to the following customs.

Indonesians, as most Eastern cultures, are accustomed to modest clothing. Avoid wearing anything too tight, too short or overly revealing. Use your right hand in giving or receiving any items, including money. In Indonesia, the left-hand is considered dirty and if extended to another person, this may be perceived as an insult. Pointing with your index finger or beckoning people towards you is extremely impolite. Instead, point with your thumb or summon people with a up and down waiving motion of the hand. Do not touch adults or children on the head (especially in Bali) nor point to anything with your foot as both these gestures will be taken with great offense. Please do not hand out gifts, money or candy to individual villages. A more appropriate show of support or gratitude would be to give a collective donation of money, pens, pencils, etc., to the village school or take Polaroid snapshots of groups of people to give away.

Parts of Speech Table

This is a summary of the 8 parts of speech*. You can find more detail if you click on each part of speech.

part of speech	function or "job"	example words	example sentences
Verb	action or state	(to) be, have, do, like, work, sing, can, must	EnglishClub.com is a web site. I like EnglishClub.com.
Noun	thing or person	pen, dog, work, music, town, London, teacher, John	This is my dog. He lives in my house. We live in London.
Adjective	describes a noun	a/an, the, 69, some, good, big, red, well, interesting	My dog is big. I like big dogs.
Adverb	describes a verb, adjective or adverb	quickly, silently, well, badly, very, really	My dog eats quickly. When he is very hungry, he eats really quickly.
Pronoun	replaces a noun	I, you, he, she, some	Tara is Indian. She is beautiful.
Preposition	links a noun to another word	to, at, after, on, but	We went to school on Monday.
Conjunction	joins clauses or sentences or words	and, but, when	I like dogs and I like cats. I like cats and dogs. I like dogs but I don't like cats.
Interjection	short exclamation, sometimes inserted into a sentence	oh!, ouch!, hi!, well	Ouch! That hurts! Hi! How are you? Well, I don't know.

* Some grammar sources categorize English into 9 or 10 parts of speech. At EnglishClub.com, we use the traditional categorization of 8 parts of speech. Examples of other categorizations are:

• Verbs may be treated as two different parts of speech:
  • Lexical Verbs (work, like, run)
  • Auxiliary Verbs (be, have, must)
• Determiners may be treated as a separate part of speech, instead of being categorized under Adjectives

Parts of Speech Examples »

The Parts of Speech

Traditional grammar classifies words based on eight parts of speech: the verb, the noun, the pronoun, the adjective, the adverb, the preposition, the conjunction, and the interjection.

Each part of speech explains not what the word is, but how the word is used. In fact, the same word can be a noun in one sentence and a verb or adjective in the next. The next few examples show how a word's part of speech can change from one sentence to the next, and following them is a series of sections on the individual parts of speech, followed by an exercise.

Books are made of ink, paper, and glue.

In this sentence, "books" is a noun, the subject of the sentence.

Deborah waits patiently while Bridget books the tickets.

Here "books" is a verb, and its subject is "Bridget."

We walk down the street.

In this sentence, "walk" is a verb, and its subject is the pronoun "we."

The mail carrier stood on the walk.

In this example, "walk" is a noun, which is part of a prepositional phrase describing where the mail carrier stood.

The town decided to build a new jail.

Here "jail" is a noun, which is the object of the infinitive phrase "to build."

The sheriff told us that if we did not leave town immediately he would jail us.

Here "jail" is part of the compound verb "would jail."

They heard high pitched cries in the middle of the night.

In this sentence, "cries" is a noun acting as the direct object of the verb "heard."

The baby cries all night long and all day long.

But here "cries" is a verb that describes the actions of the subject of the sentence, the baby.

The next few sections explain each of the parts of speech in detail. When you have finished, you might want to test yourself by trying the exercise.

Written by Heather MacFadyen

Adverb

An adverb can modify a verb, an adjective, another adverb, a phrase, or a clause. An adverb indicates manner, time, place, cause, or degree and answers questions such as "how," "when," "where," "how much".

While some adverbs can be identified by their characteristic "ly" suffix, most of them must be identified by untangling the grammatical relationships within the sentence or clause as a whole. Unlike an adjective, an adverb can be found in various places within the sentence.

In the following examples, each of the highlighted words is an adverb:

The seamstress quickly made the mourning clothes.

In this sentence, the adverb "quickly" modifies the verb "made" and indicates in what manner (or how fast) the clothing was constructed.

The midwives waited patiently through a long labour.

Similarly in this sentence, the adverb "patiently" modifies the verb "waited" and describes the manner in which the midwives waited.

The boldly spoken words would return to haunt the rebel.

In this sentence the adverb "boldly" modifies the adjective "spoken."

We urged him to dial the number more expeditiously.

Here the adverb "more" modifies the adverb "expeditiously."

Unfortunately, the bank closed at three today.

In this example, the adverb "unfortunately" modifies the entire sentence.

Conjunctive Adverbs

You can use a conjunctive adverb to join two clauses together. Some of the most common conjunctive adverbs are "also," "consequently," "finally," "furthermore," "hence," "however," "incidentally," "indeed," "instead," "likewise," "meanwhile," "nevertheless," "next," "nonetheless," "otherwise," "still," "then," "therefore," and "thus." A conjunctive adverb is not strong enough to join two independent clauses without the aid of a semicolon.

The highlighted words in the following sentences are conjunctive adverbs:

The government has cut university budgets; consequently, class sizes have been increased.

He did not have all the ingredients the recipe called for; therefore, he decided to make something else.

The report recommended several changes to the ways the corporation accounted for donations; furthermore, it suggested that a new auditor be appointed immediately.

The crowd waited patiently for three hours; finally, the doors to the stadium were opened.

Batman and Robin fruitlessly searched the building; indeed, the Joker had escaped through a secret door in the basement.

Written by Heather MacFadyen

Irregular Verb Dictionary

Englishpage.com's Irregular Verb Dictionary for English learners contains over 370 irregular verbs used in modern English. To view our Extended Irregular Verb Dictionary, which contains over 470 verbs including rare and antiquated forms, Click Here. Alternate forms are separated by /. The first form listed is the most commonly used. [More info] Forms which are primarily used in British English are in italics. [More info] To view a definition of the verb, click on the infinitive form. To learn more about confusing forms, click on the information link [?].

Flashcards | Exercises | About Dictionary

A
Infinitive	Simple Past	Past Participle
arise	arose	arisen
awake	awakened / awoke	awakened / awoken
B
backslide	backslid	backslidden / backslid
be	was, were	been
bear	bore	born / borne
beat	beat	beaten / beat
become	became	become
begin	began	begun
bend	bent	bent
bet	bet / betted [?]	bet / betted [?]
bid (farewell)	bid / bade	bidden
bid (offer amount)	bid	bid
bind	bound	bound
bite	bit	bitten
bleed	bled	bled
blow	blew	blown
break	broke	broken
breed	bred	bred
bring	brought	brought
broadcast	broadcast / broadcasted	broadcast / broadcasted
browbeat	browbeat	browbeaten / browbeat
build	built	built
burn	burned / burnt [?]	burned / burnt [?]
burst	burst	burst
bust	busted / bust	busted / bust
buy	bought	bought
C
cast	cast	cast
catch	caught	caught
choose	chose	chosen
cling	clung	clung
clothe	clothed / clad [?]	clothed / clad [?]
come	came	come
cost	cost	cost
creep	crept	crept
crossbreed	crossbred	crossbred
cut	cut	cut
D
daydream	daydreamed / daydreamt [?]	daydreamed / daydreamt [?]
deal	dealt	dealt
dig	dug	dug
disprove	disproved	disproved / disproven
dive (jump head-first)	dove / dived	dived
dive (scuba diving)	dived / dove	dived
do	did	done
draw	drew	drawn
dream	dreamed / dreamt [?]	dreamed / dreamt [?]
drink	drank	drunk
drive	drove	driven
dwell	dwelt / dwelled [?]	dwelt / dwelled [?]
E
eat	ate	eaten
F
fall	fell	fallen
feed	fed	fed
feel	felt	felt
fight	fought	fought
find	found	found
fit (tailor, change size)	fitted / fit [?]	fitted / fit [?]
fit (be right size)	fit / fitted [?]	fit / fitted [?]
flee	fled	fled
fling	flung	flung
fly	flew	flown
forbid	forbade	forbidden
forecast	forecast	forecast
forego (also forgo)	forewent	foregone
foresee	foresaw	foreseen
foretell	foretold	foretold
forget	forgot	forgotten / forgot [?]
forgive	forgave	forgiven
forsake	forsook	forsaken
freeze	froze	frozen
frostbite	frostbit	frostbitten
G
get	got	gotten / got [?]
give	gave	given
go	went	gone
grind	ground	ground
grow	grew	grown
H
hand-feed	hand-fed	hand-fed
handwrite	handwrote	handwritten
hang	hung	hung
have	had	had
hear	heard	heard
hew	hewed	hewn / hewed
hide	hid	hidden
hit	hit	hit
hold	held	held
hurt	hurt	hurt
I
inbreed	inbred	inbred
inlay	inlaid	inlaid
input	input / inputted	input / inputted
interbreed	interbred	interbred
interweave	interwove / interweaved	interwoven / interweaved
interwind	interwound	interwound
J
jerry-build	jerry-built	jerry-built
K
keep	kept	kept
kneel	knelt / kneeled	knelt / kneeled
knit	knitted / knit	knitted / knit
know	knew	known
L
lay	laid	laid
lead	led	led
lean	leaned / leant [?]	leaned / leant [?]
leap	leaped / leapt [?]	leaped / leapt [?]
learn	learned / learnt [?]	learned / learnt [?]
leave	left	left
lend	lent	lent
let	let	let
lie	lay	lain
lie (not tell truth) REGULAR	lied	lied
light	lit / lighted	lit / lighted
lip-read	lip-read	lip-read
lose	lost	lost
M
make	made	made
mean	meant	meant
meet	met	met
miscast	miscast	miscast
misdeal	misdealt	misdealt
misdo	misdid	misdone
mishear	misheard	misheard
mislay	mislaid	mislaid
mislead	misled	misled
mislearn	mislearned / mislearnt [?]	mislearned / mislearnt [?]
misread	misread	misread
misset	misset	misset
misspeak	misspoke	misspoken
misspell	misspelled / misspelt [?]	misspelled / misspelt [?]
misspend	misspent	misspent
mistake	mistook	mistaken
misteach	mistaught	mistaught
misunderstand	misunderstood	misunderstood
miswrite	miswrote	miswritten
mow	mowed	mowed / mown
N
No irregular verbs beginning with "N."
O
offset	offset	offset
outbid	outbid	outbid
outbreed	outbred	outbred
outdo	outdid	outdone
outdraw	outdrew	outdrawn
outdrink	outdrank	outdrunk
outdrive	outdrove	outdriven
outfight	outfought	outfought
outfly	outflew	outflown
outgrow	outgrew	outgrown
outleap	outleaped / outleapt [?]	outleaped / outleapt [?]
outlie (not tell truth) REGULAR	outlied	outlied
outride	outrode	outridden
outrun	outran	outrun
outsell	outsold	outsold
outshine	outshined / outshone [?]	outshined / outshone [?]
outshoot	outshot	outshot
outsing	outsang	outsung
outsit	outsat	outsat
outsleep	outslept	outslept
outsmell	outsmelled / outsmelt [?]	outsmelled / outsmelt [?]
outspeak	outspoke	outspoken
outspeed	outsped	outsped
outspend	outspent	outspent
outswear	outswore	outsworn
outswim	outswam	outswum
outthink	outthought	outthought
outthrow	outthrew	outthrown
outwrite	outwrote	outwritten
overbid	overbid	overbid
overbreed	overbred	overbred
overbuild	overbuilt	overbuilt
overbuy	overbought	overbought
overcome	overcame	overcome
overdo	overdid	overdone
overdraw	overdrew	overdrawn
overdrink	overdrank	overdrunk
overeat	overate	overeaten
overfeed	overfed	overfed
overhang	overhung	overhung
overhear	overheard	overheard
overlay	overlaid	overlaid
overpay	overpaid	overpaid
override	overrode	overridden
overrun	overran	overrun
oversee	oversaw	overseen
oversell	oversold	oversold
oversew	oversewed	oversewn / oversewed
overshoot	overshot	overshot
oversleep	overslept	overslept
overspeak	overspoke	overspoken
overspend	overspent	overspent
overspill	overspilled / overspilt [?]	overspilled / overspilt [?]
overtake	overtook	overtaken
overthink	overthought	overthought
overthrow	overthrew	overthrown
overwind	overwound	overwound
overwrite	overwrote	overwritten
P
partake	partook	partaken
pay	paid	paid
plead	pleaded / pled	pleaded / pled
prebuild	prebuilt	prebuilt
predo	predid	predone
premake	premade	premade
prepay	prepaid	prepaid
presell	presold	presold
preset	preset	preset
preshrink	preshrank	preshrunk
proofread	proofread	proofread
prove	proved	proven / proved
put	put	put
Q
quick-freeze	quick-froze	quick-frozen
quit	quit / quitted [?]	quit / quitted [?]
R
read	read (sounds like "red")	read (sounds like "red")
reawake	reawoke	reawaken
rebid	rebid	rebid
rebind	rebound	rebound
rebroadcast	rebroadcast / rebroadcasted	rebroadcast / rebroadcasted
rebuild	rebuilt	rebuilt
recast	recast	recast
recut	recut	recut
redeal	redealt	redealt
redo	redid	redone
redraw	redrew	redrawn
refit (replace parts)	refit / refitted [?]	refit / refitted [?]
refit (retailor)	refitted / refit [?]	refitted / refit [?]
regrind	reground	reground
regrow	regrew	regrown
rehang	rehung	rehung
rehear	reheard	reheard
reknit	reknitted / reknit	reknitted / reknit
relay (for example tiles)	relaid	relaid
relay (pass along) REGULAR	relayed	relayed
relearn	relearned / relearnt [?]	relearned / relearnt [?]
relight	relit / relighted	relit / relighted
remake	remade	remade
repay	repaid	repaid
reread	reread	reread
rerun	reran	rerun
resell	resold	resold
resend	resent	resent
reset	reset	reset
resew	resewed	resewn / resewed
retake	retook	retaken
reteach	retaught	retaught
retear	retore	retorn
retell	retold	retold
rethink	rethought	rethought
retread	retread	retread
retrofit	retrofitted / retrofit [?]	retrofitted / retrofit [?]
rewake	rewoke / rewaked	rewaken / rewaked
rewear	rewore	reworn
reweave	rewove / reweaved	rewoven / reweaved
rewed	rewed / rewedded	rewed / rewedded
rewet	rewet / rewetted [?]	rewet / rewetted [?]
rewin	rewon	rewon
rewind	rewound	rewound
rewrite	rewrote	rewritten
rid	rid	rid
ride	rode	ridden
ring	rang	rung
rise	rose	risen
roughcast	roughcast	roughcast
run	ran	run
S
sand-cast	sand-cast	sand-cast
saw	sawed	sawed / sawn
say	said	said
see	saw	seen
seek	sought	sought
sell	sold	sold
send	sent	sent
set	set	set
sew	sewed	sewn / sewed
shake	shook	shaken
shave	shaved	shaved / shaven
shear	sheared	sheared / shorn
shed	shed	shed
shine	shined / shone [?]	shined / shone [?]
shit	shit / shat / shitted	shit/ shat / shitted
shoot	shot	shot
show	showed	shown / showed
shrink	shrank / shrunk	shrunk
shut	shut	shut
sight-read	sight-read	sight-read
sing	sang	sung
sink	sank / sunk	sunk
sit	sat	sat
slay (kill)	slew / slayed	slain / slayed
slay (amuse) REGULAR	slayed	slayed
sleep	slept	slept
slide	slid	slid
sling	slung	slung
slink	slinked / slunk	slinked / slunk
slit	slit	slit
smell	smelled / smelt [?]	smelled / smelt [?]
sneak	sneaked / snuck	sneaked / snuck
sow	sowed	sown / sowed
speak	spoke	spoken
speed	sped / speeded	sped / speeded
spell	spelled / spelt [?]	spelled / spelt [?]
spend	spent	spent
spill	spilled / spilt [?]	spilled / spilt [?]
spin	spun	spun
spit	spit / spat	spit / spat
split	split	split
spoil	spoiled / spoilt [?]	spoiled / spoilt [?]
spoon-feed	spoon-fed	spoon-fed
spread	spread	spread
spring	sprang / sprung	sprung
stand	stood	stood
steal	stole	stolen
stick	stuck	stuck
sting	stung	stung
stink	stunk / stank	stunk
strew	strewed	strewn / strewed
stride	strode	stridden
strike (delete)	struck	stricken
strike (hit)	struck	struck / stricken
string	strung	strung
strive	strove / strived	striven / strived
sublet	sublet	sublet
sunburn	sunburned / sunburnt [?]	sunburned / sunburnt [?]
swear	swore	sworn
sweat	sweat / sweated	sweat / sweated
sweep	swept	swept
swell	swelled	swollen / swelled
swim	swam	swum
swing	swung	swung
T
take	took	taken
teach	taught	taught
tear	tore	torn
telecast	telecast	telecast
tell	told	told
test-drive	test-drove	test-driven
test-fly	test-flew	test-flown
think	thought	thought
throw	threw	thrown
thrust	thrust	thrust
tread	trod	trodden / trod
typecast	typecast	typecast
typeset	typeset	typeset
typewrite	typewrote	typewritten
U
unbend	unbent	unbent
unbind	unbound	unbound
unclothe	unclothed / unclad [?]	unclothed / unclad [?]
underbid	underbid	underbid
undercut	undercut	undercut
underfeed	underfed	underfed
undergo	underwent	undergone
underlie	underlay	underlain
undersell	undersold	undersold
underspend	underspent	underspent
understand	understood	understood
undertake	undertook	undertaken
underwrite	underwrote	underwritten
undo	undid	undone
unfreeze	unfroze	unfrozen
unhang	unhung	unhung
unhide	unhid	unhidden
unknit	unknitted / unknit	unknitted / unknit
unlearn	unlearned / unlearnt [?]	unlearned / unlearnt [?]
unsew	unsewed	unsewn / unsewed
unsling	unslung	unslung
unspin	unspun	unspun
unstick	unstuck	unstuck
unstring	unstrung	unstrung
unweave	unwove / unweaved	unwoven / unweaved
unwind	unwound	unwound
uphold	upheld	upheld
upset	upset	upset
V
No commonly used irregular verbs beginning with "V." To view our extended dictionary including rare and antiquated forms, Click Here.
W
wake	woke / waked	woken / waked
waylay	waylaid	waylaid
wear	wore	worn
weave	wove / weaved	woven / weaved
wed	wed / wedded	wed / wedded
weep	wept	wept
wet	wet / wetted [?]	wet / wetted [?]
whet REGULAR	whetted	whetted
win	won	won
wind	wound	wound
withdraw	withdrew	withdrawn
withhold	withheld	withheld
withstand	withstood	withstood
wring	wrung	wrung
write	wrote	written
X
No irregular verbs beginning with "X."
Y
No irregular verbs beginning with "Y."
Z
No irregular verbs beginning with "Z."

What Is An Adjective?

An adjective modifies a noun or a pronoun by describing, identifying, or quantifying words. An adjective usually precedes the noun or the pronoun which it modifies.

In the following examples, the highlighted words are adjectives:

The truck-shaped balloon floated over the treetops.

Mrs. Morrison papered her kitchen walls with hideous wall paper.

The small boat foundered on the wine dark sea.

The coal mines are dark and dank.

Many stores have already begun to play irritating Christmas music.

A battered music box sat on the mahogany sideboard.

The back room was filled with large, yellow rain boots.

An adjective can be modified by an adverb, or by a phrase or clause functioning as an adverb. In the sentence

My husband knits intricately patterned mittens.

for example, the adverb "intricately" modifies the adjective "patterned."

Some nouns, many pronouns, and many participle phrases can also act as adjectives. In the sentence

Eleanor listened to the muffled sounds of the radio hidden under her pillow.

for example, both highlighted adjectives are past participles.

Grammarians also consider articles ("the," "a," "an") to be adjectives.

Possessive Adjectives

A possessive adjective ("my," "your," "his," "her," "its," "our," "their") is similar or identical to a possessive pronoun; however, it is used as an adjective and modifies a noun or a noun phrase, as in the following sentences:

I can't complete my assignment because I don't have the textbook.

In this sentence, the possessive adjective "my" modifies "assignment" and the noun phrase "my assignment" functions as an object. Note that the possessive pronoun form "mine" is not used to modify a noun or noun phrase.

What is your phone number.

Here the possessive adjective "your" is used to modify the noun phrase "phone number"; the entire noun phrase "your phone number" is a subject complement. Note that the possessive pronoun form "yours" is not used to modify a noun or a noun phrase.

The bakery sold his favourite type of bread.

In this example, the possessive adjective "his" modifies the noun phrase "favourite type of bread" and the entire noun phrase "his favourite type of bread" is the direct object of the verb "sold."

After many years, she returned to her homeland.

Here the possessive adjective "her" modifies the noun "homeland" and the noun phrase "her homeland" is the object of the preposition "to." Note also that the form "hers" is not used to modify nouns or noun phrases.

We have lost our way in this wood.

In this sentence, the possessive adjective "our" modifies "way" and the noun phrase "our way" is the direct object of the compound verb "have lost". Note that the possessive pronoun form "ours" is not used to modify nouns or noun phrases.

In many fairy tales, children are neglected by their parents.

Here the possessive adjective "their" modifies "parents" and the noun phrase "their parents" is the object of the preposition "by." Note that the possessive pronoun form "theirs" is not used to modify nouns or noun phrases.

The cat chased its ball down the stairs and into the backyard.

In this sentence, the possessive adjective "its" modifies "ball" and the noun phrase "its ball" is the object of the verb "chased." Note that "its" is the possessive adjective and "it's" is a contraction for "it is."

Demonstrative Adjectives

The demonstrative adjectives "this," "these," "that," "those," and "what" are identical to the demonstrative pronouns, but are used as adjectives to modify nouns or noun phrases, as in the following sentences:

When the librarian tripped over that cord, she dropped a pile of books.

In this sentence, the demonstrative adjective "that" modifies the noun "cord" and the noun phrase "that cord" is the object of the preposition "over."

This apartment needs to be fumigated.

Here "this" modifies "apartment" and the noun phrase "this apartment" is the subject of the sentence.

Even though my friend preferred those plates, I bought these.

In the subordinate clause, "those" modifies "plates" and the noun phrase "those plates" is the object of the verb "preferred." In the independent clause, "these" is the direct object of the verb "bought."

Note that the relationship between a demonstrative adjective and a demonstrative pronoun is similar to the relationship between a possessive adjective and a possessive pronoun, or to that between a interrogative adjective and an interrogative pronoun.

Interrogative Adjectives

An interrogative adjective ("which" or "what") is like an interrogative pronoun, except that it modifies a noun or noun phrase rather than standing on its own (see also demonstrative adjectives and possessive adjectives):

Which plants should be watered twice a week?

Like other adjectives, "which" can be used to modify a noun or a noun phrase. In this example, "which" modifies "plants" and the noun phrase "which paints" is the subject of the compound verb "should be watered":

What book are you reading?

In this sentence, "what" modifies "book" and the noun phrase "what book" is the direct object of the compound verb "are reading."

Indefinite Adjectives

An indefinite adjective is similar to an indefinite pronoun, except that it modifies a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase, as in the following sentences:

Many people believe that corporations are under-taxed.

The indefinite adjective "many" modifies the noun "people" and the noun phrase "many people" is the subject of the sentence.

I will send you any mail that arrives after you have moved to Sudbury.

The indefinite adjective "any" modifies the noun "mail" and the noun phrase "any mail" is the direct object of the compound verb "will send."

They found a few goldfish floating belly up in the swan pound.

In this example the indefinite adjective modifies the noun "goldfish" and the noun phrase is the direct object of the verb "found":

The title of Kelly's favourite game is "All dogs go to heaven."

Here the indefinite pronoun "all" modifies "dogs" and the full title is a subject complement.

Written by Heather MacFadyen