Stop memorizing verb lists! Activate connections!
The good news is, only about 3% of English verbs are irregular. The bad news is that the top 10 verbs in English are all irregular. (Reuters, 2007)
Most English textbooks have a long list of verbs in alphabetical order. How many hours have you spent trying to memorize these lists? (Boriiiiiiing) You have better things to do with your time!
Study verbs based on how often they will be used. This link is a great resource: 100 Most Common English Verbs
Here are some tips to help you read, write, listen, and speak better
Think outside the alphabet
The verbs listed in the back of your textbook are usually only the irregulars. Common, popular, regular verbs aren't listed.
A student recently showed me a long verb list and asked for help to memorize all of them. I scanned it quickly and saw the words "creep" "sew" and "weave". English is my mother tongue, and I don't use those words more than once a year. If you are at a beginner-intermediate level, ask your teacher to select the truly important words. If you are advanced, you probably should try to learn more of the words!
Read AND listen.
The more different senses that you use to learn, the better the information will stay in your memory. This is even more important with English, because the spelling and pronunciation are not always clearly connected. Learn the correct spelling and pronunciation using links like the one above.
Can you answer these questions?
1) Which of these verbs ends with an /s/ sound?
was
has
pass
pause
2) Which of these verbs doesn't rhyme with bed?
I like to read.
I read a book last night.
I have read 3 books this month.
3) Which of these is in the past? How do they sound different?
We were studying.
We're studying.
(Answers: 1) pass, the others have /z/ sound 2) I like to read 3) We were studying. (were = /wər/ we're = /wir/)
Use the words for your real life
English textbooks are written to be average and standard. You are special. You don't live the same life as the people in your book. List the activities that you do every day. Learn the verbs that you will need to talk about your favorite topics.
If you live in a city: "take the bus" "ride a scooter" "buy a ticket" "go up in the elevator"
If you are in university: "take a course" "attend a lecture" "study in the library" "pass a test"
If you love football: "kick the ball" "score a goal" "commit a foul" "win the game"
If you work in a restaurant: "greet a customer" "take an order" "bring the check" "clear the table"
Do more than translate
Our computers and phones help us to understand new words quickly. Technology is great! Type in this word: "get". How many translations are there? (Italian 30+, Spanish 40+, Russian 50+)
Translation apps are getting better. Your results will be more accurate if you type in the full phrase or sentence. However, this isn't 100% certain.
Find an English Learner's Dictionary. These are written especially for you! They have simple definitions to help you understand the word. They include pronunciation, example sentences, and similar words to help connect more of the English language together.
Keep reading this blog!
This is my favorite tip of all! I hope this post helps you in your studies. If this is helpful, please share with friends. If you want more topics, please leave a comment!