It should be noted that although many t-forms are listed in texts as distinctly "British" forms, our research indicates they are disappearing in British English as well.īetted, quitted and wetted are often listed as "British" forms. For this reason, they are only listed in our Extended Irregular Verb Dictionary. Stript, clapt and vext are rarely used in contemporary English. Spelt, smelt, spilt and spoilt are quickly disappearing. Burnt, leant and learnt are still relatively common in spoken English and fairly common in written English. Dwelt is the only form in this category which is more frequently used than the regular -ed form. The t-forms without a vowel change are slowly disappearing from the language. T-forms without a vowel change include: burnt, clapt, dwelt, leant, learnt, spelt, smelt, spilt, spoilt, stript, vext In the case of dreamt and leapt, although dreamt and leapt are still quite common and acceptable in both written and spoken English, the regular forms dreamed and leaped seem to be more popular in modern usage. In fact, crept, dealt, felt and meant are the only accepted forms. The t-forms with a vowel change are still very common in modern English. T-forms with a vowel change include: crept, dealt, dreamt, felt, leapt, meant T-forms can be divided into two categories: those with a vowel change and those without a vowel change. T-forms include: burnt, clapt, crept, dealt, dreamt, dwelt, felt, leant, leapt, learnt, meant, spelt, smelt, spilt, spoilt, stript, vext For more specific information on our conclusions, visit the following links:īet / Betted, Quit / Quitted and Wet / Wetted However, our research does indicate that these differences tend to be highly exaggerated. This is not to say that there are no significant differences in irregular verb usage between American and British English speakers. In addition, virtually every "American" form tested not only showed up in British media sources and web texts, but in most cases, they actually showed up more frequently than the traditionally "British" forms. The frequency of these occurences excludes the possibility that these texts have been produced by British English speakers living in the United States. Most of our research has shown that virtually every irregular verb form traditionally listed as "British" frequently shows up in American media and web texts.
British FormsĪlthough many textbooks and dictionaries clearly list specific irregular verb forms as "American" or "British," 's research has clearly shown that very few irregular verb forms are exclusively British or American. In some situations, a form may only be listed in the Extended Irregular Verb Dictionary because it was determined that the form was either extremely rare or antiquated. Our tests were conducted on the Internet using a variety of highly targeted searches of English language media sources, electronic texts, and the World Wide Web. Based on 's research, forms which are listed first are more frequently used in modern English. In some situations, multiple simple past or past participle forms are included in 's Irregular Verb Dictionary and Extended Irregular Verb Dictionary. Our Irregular Verb Dictionary and Extended Irregular Verb Dictionary continue to reflect 's preference for simple, user-friendly web design and quickly loading pages. Problematic or confusing forms are followed by the symbol, which links into suplementary information on that form. Įach entry in our dictionary links into OneLook Dictionary Search, which provides definitions, translations into select languages and links to additional reference sources (some of which include recorded pronunciations). In addition, information on the differences between British and American irregular verb usage has been included.
Forms which are listed first are more frequently used in modern English. In some situations, multiple simple past or past participle forms are included. These current dictionaries provide information on over 470 verbs and include infinitive, simple past and past participle forms. This research is intended to determine how irregular verb usage has evolved during the last century and to produce the most complete and up-to-date irregular verb reference on the Internet. 's Irregular Verb Dictionary and Extended Irregular Verb Dictionary are both products of ongoing research is conducting into irregular verb usage in both American and British English.