Question

Questions 1–7: Select the correct irregular verb form in each sentence.

Answer 1

1. saw

2. rang

3. flown

4. gone

5. swung

6. written

7. swum

8. Ted can lift that box more easily than I. We need a word or words that tell how Ted can lift the box. Words that answer that question are adverbs. But which expression is an adverb? Identify the adjective by using the two forms in a test sentence: “Try to find an easier/more easily way to do that.” Easier is an adjective, modifying the noun way. So, discard easier.

9. I wish you would walk more quietly. We need a word that tells how I wish you would walk. We need an adverb. To identify and eliminate the adjective, place both expressions before a noun in a sentence: “This is a quieter/more quietly room than I had before.” Quieter is an adjective, modifying the noun room. Therefore, we can’t use it as an adverb to modify the verb walk.

10. I can think more clearly when alone. This sentence also needs to answer the question how. Again, select the word that’s an adverb. Use a test sentence: “A clearer/more clearly explanation would be helpful.” Here, clearer modifies the noun explanation and is, therefore, an adjective. Discard clearer.

11. braver, bravest

12. more distinct, most distinct

13. worse, worst

14. higher, highest

15. more active, most active

16. longer, longest

17. larger, largest

18. Absolute

19. more beautiful, most beautiful

20. Absolute

21. more practical, most practical

22. lazier, laziest

23. Absolute

24. fatter, fattest

Answer 2

Irregular verbs are not dependably consistent—the simple past does not end in ed as does the past participle.
1. I sawyou coming long before you arrived.
2. The switchboard operator rang the wrong extension.
3. Lee has often flown on the company plane.
4. Mr. and Mrs. Lawson have gone to Canada for vacation.
5. Casey swang the crane around.
6. You should have written the report long ago.
7. Have you ever swum in a race?

11. brave, braver, bravest

12. distinct, more distinct, most distinct

13. bad, worse, the worst

14. high, higher, highest

15. active, more active, most active

16. long, longer, longest

17. large, larger, largest

18. square, squarer, squarest

19. beautiful, more beautiful most beautiful

20. eternal -non-comparable adjective

21. practical , more practical, most practical

22. lazy , lazier, the laziest

23. empty , emptier, emptiest

24. fat, fatter, fattest