Do you know what weak verbs are? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on weak verbs, including its definition, usage, example sentences, and more!
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According to Grammar Monster, a weak verb is one that ends in -d or -t for its past tense forms – the simple past tense and the past participle. While many weak verbs are regular verbs, weak verbs can also be irregular verbs. Irregular verbs can also be strong verbs which have stem vowel changes in the past tense. There are many different types of verb tense including the present tense, indicative mood, subjunctive mood, infinitive forms, preterite-present verbs, imperative mood, present participle, all of which can be used in first person/1st person, second person/2nd person and third person/3rd person. However, to determine which verbs are weak look at the past forms of the verb stem. Many modern English verbs have a weak stem of the verb in the full conjugations along with other various quirks. Make sure you use the appropriate form of the verb. A lot of irregular verbs are strong, but some without a change of vowel sound are typed of weak verb, even if they are action verbs.
Old English also uses strong and weak verbs according to CSUN. These include first conjugation weak verbs in which the stem generally ends in a consonant, second conjugation weak verbs which the stem usually ends in a vowel, and third conjugation weak verbs. A set of endings of these conjugations are below. Weak 1st conjugation verbs examples from the first conjugation paradigm, important third conjugation verbs from the weak 3rd conjugation verbs paradigms, and weak 2nd conjugation verbs paradigms are below.
demdest
lifde
hæfdest
lifdest
demde
bododest
bodianne
libbe
ian
eanne
od
bodode
hæfde
lifdon
de
demaþ
e
liofa
habban
den
secganne
libban
bodod
lifd
sægdon or sædon
bodian
bod
libben
secge
bodien
ende
aþ
en
libbaþ
sægde or sæde
ie
hæbben
lifigende
bodiaþ
ode
lifaþ
boda
libbe or lifge
lifian
secgean
lifienne
hæbbe
lifast
secgen
libbanne
sægeþ or segþ
secgaþ or secgeaþ
deme
dest
dem
demed
secgaþ
oden
hafað or hæfð
libbende
demende
lifden
demen
stem minus final letter
odon
sægst or segst
ianne
sægdest or sædest
habbanne
anne
hæfden
demdon
iaþ
a
sægden or sæden
demanne
don
sægd
bodiende
hæbbende
demden
ed
hæfdon
iende
odest
bodast
est
ast
bodie
bododen
demeð
hafast or hæfast
hæfd
sage or sege
sæd
habbaþ
of
bodaþ
hafa
eð
ien
secgende
libbaþ or lifiaþ
secgan
demest
What are examples of weak verbs?
Weak verbs can be used in many different contexts in the English language. Trying to use a word or grammatical technique in a sentence is one of the best ways to memorize what it is, but you can also try making flashcards or quizzes that test your knowledge. Try using this term of the day in a sentence today! Below are a couple of examples of weaks that can help get you started incorporating this tool into your everyday use. Take a look at these common weak verb examples from Your Dictionary, Thought Co and Grammar Monster and see how many common weak verbs you can identify!
There are many different literary and grammatical techniques and devices that you might see when you are reading prose or poetry. It is important to recognize these terms because they are always used for some purpose. Knowing these devices can help readers understand the author’s deeper meaning and why they are using such a device. Take a look at the below list of grammatical devices from OED and see how many you know! Then try researching ones that are unfamiliar to you.
Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.
Kevin
December 9, 2021
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