How to Teach Irregular Past Tense Verbs: 4 ESL Games

Brooke Hamler

Irregular past tense verbs can be one of the most frustrating grammar topics for English learners. Students may understand the idea of the past, yet still say goed, taked, or seed. Because these verbs do not follow the usual -ed pattern, memorizing a long list rarely leads to confident, accurate use.

A better approach is to let students repeatedly see, say, match, and use each verb in a meaningful context. The four low-prep games below turn that repetition into an activity students actually want to play. They work well in ESL lessons, grammar centers, small groups, intervention, and whole-class review.

Why irregular verbs need a different approach

Regular verbs give students a predictable rule: add -ed. Irregular verbs must be learned as connected forms, such as go–went, see–saw, and take–took. For each pair, students need to connect three things:

the meaning of the verb;
the present and past forms;
the way the past form is used in a sentence.

Visual matching games reduce the pressure of producing the answer from memory immediately. Students first recognize the correct pair, then say it aloud, and finally use it in a sentence. This progression makes practice accessible without removing the challenge.

A simple four-step routine

Introduce a small set. Begin with six to ten high-frequency verb pairs.
Model the language. Say both forms and use the past-tense verb in a short sentence.
Play for repeated retrieval. Use matching cards or dominoes so every turn requires students to recall a form.
Finish with production. Ask students to say or write an original sentence with one of the verbs they practiced.

Keep the same routine while changing the theme or game format. Students know what to do, but the activity still feels fresh.

Four hands-on games for teaching irregular past tense verbs

1. Blast off with a space-themed matching game

The space theme adds energy to a grammar center without changing the learning goal. Students match present-tense verbs to their irregular past-tense forms, then read each pair aloud. For an extra speaking challenge, have the student who makes a match use the past-tense verb in a sentence before keeping the cards.

Shop the Space Irregular Past Tense Matching Game or find it on Teachers Pay Teachers.

2. Hunt for verb pairs with a pirate matching game

Turn irregular verb review into a treasure hunt. The pirate theme is especially fun for partner work, fast finishers, and grammar centers. Begin with the cards face up for guided practice. When students are ready, turn them face down and play as a traditional memory game.

Shop the Pirate Irregular Past Tense Matching Game or get it on Teachers Pay Teachers.

3. Add seasonal practice with Halloween matching cards

Seasonal activities can motivate students to revisit familiar grammar. Use these Halloween cards for an October center, a small-group review, or an early-finisher activity. After each match, invite students to create a silly spooky sentence using the past-tense form.

Shop the Halloween Irregular Verbs Matching Game or view it on Teachers Pay Teachers.

4. Build a chain with irregular verb dominoes

Dominoes add a useful reasoning element: students must scan several options, identify the correct verb form, and decide where it belongs in the chain. Ask players to read both sides of every domino they place. At the end, choose three verbs from the completed chain for a quick oral or written exit ticket.

Shop the Irregular Past Tense Verb Dominoes or find them on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Easy ways to differentiate the games

Newcomers: keep the cards face up, reduce the number of pairs, and provide sentence frames such as “Yesterday, I ___.”
Developing learners: play with the cards face down and require students to say both forms before keeping a match.
More confident learners: require a complete past-tense sentence, a negative sentence, or a question after every match.
Mixed-level partners: let one student identify the pair while the other creates the sentence, then switch roles.

You can also sort the cards by pattern after the game. For example, students might group verbs whose forms stay the same, verbs with a vowel change, and verbs that change completely. The categories do not have to be perfect to spark useful noticing and discussion.

Prep, protect, and organize the games

Once the cards are printed and cut, a simple storage system makes them much easier to reuse. A photo storage box with individual 4 × 6 cases can keep each themed set separate while storing the whole collection in one place.

For activities that will be used throughout the year, a Scotch thermal laminator and thermal laminating pouches can help protect the pieces from frequent classroom use.

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A five-day mini-routine for long-term retention

Monday: introduce six to ten verb pairs with gestures or pictures.
Tuesday: complete a face-up matching activity and say every pair aloud.
Wednesday: play a memory game or dominoes in pairs.
Thursday: use the same verbs in short oral stories or sentence frames.
Friday: complete a quick mixed review and an exit ticket.

The following week, keep a few previously learned verbs in the game while adding a small new set. This spaced review is more effective than teaching a large list once and moving on.

Related grammar teaching ideas

If you are building a complete grammar toolkit, explore these related posts:

Frequently asked questions

What are irregular past tense verbs?

Irregular past tense verbs do not form the simple past by following the usual verb + -ed rule. Their forms change in different ways, as in go–went, see–saw, and take–took.

How many irregular verbs should beginners learn at one time?

For many beginners, six to ten high-frequency pairs are manageable in one set. The ideal number depends on students’ age, language level, and familiarity with the verbs. Add new forms gradually while continuing to review previous ones.

What is the best way to teach irregular verbs to ESL students?

Combine explicit modeling with frequent, short retrieval practice. Students should see the present and past forms together, say them aloud, match them several times, and use the past form in meaningful sentences.

How often should students practice irregular past tense verbs?

Brief practice several times per week is usually more effective than one long worksheet session. Recycle familiar verbs in warm-ups, games, speaking tasks, and exit tickets so students retrieve them over time.

Can these irregular verb games be used in literacy or grammar centers?

Yes. Matching cards and dominoes are well suited to independent centers, partner stations, small groups, intervention, and early-finisher work. Model the routine first and add a simple recording sheet or sentence task for accountability.

How can I differentiate irregular verb practice for mixed-level learners?

Change the number of pairs and the language required after each turn. Beginners can match and read the forms, developing students can complete a sentence frame, and advanced students can create original statements, negatives, or questions.

Make irregular verb review active and memorable

Irregular verbs require repeated exposure, but repetition does not have to mean another worksheet. With a clear routine and an engaging game, students can practice the same essential forms through recognition, speaking, reading, and sentence building. Start with a small set, revisit it often, and let the game provide the repetition that helps the past-tense forms stick.