Verb Conjugation – Grammar Rules

by | Jul 30, 2024 | Verbs

The verb conjugation is essential for language learners because it is the method that shows us how to use verbs according to verb tense, subject of the sentence, mood, and number.

Verbs change their form when they are used in tenses to show the happenings of the time in the present, past, and future. They also change their form according to the persons of the sentence.

In this article, you will learn what verb conjugation means in English, how to conjugate verbs in English, and some examples of verb conjunctions. 

Verb conjugation means that verbs have to change their form according to the verb tense. There are 12 verb tenses in English, which are divided into three time periods: present, past, and future. 

To be Verb Conjugation

In English, there are three persons;

  • first person 
  • second person 
  • third person 

In each of them, they could be singular and plural. So we will conjugate verb to be in each person.

Persons (singular)
First person
Second person
Third person
Conjugation of verb to be
I am
You are
He is / She is / It is
Persons (plural)
First person
Second person
Third person
Conjugation of verb to be
We are
You are
They are

Verb Tense Conjugation

Verbs are also conjugated in the verb tenses. In english there are 12 verb tenses that we use to talk about things that happen in three time periods (present, past, future). 

Regular verbs follow the standard pattern when conjugated in to different verb tenses. 

Conjugation of Regular Verb Work

Tenses
Conjugation
Present Simple
He works.
Past simple
He worked.
Future simple
He will work.
Present continuous
He is working.
Past continuous
He was working.
Future continuous
He will be working.
Present perfect
He has worked.
Past perfect
He had worked.
Future perfect
He will have worked.
Present perfect continuous
He has been working.
Past perfect continuous
He had been working.
Future perfect continuous
He will have been working.

When conjugating into verb tenses, irregular verbs do not follow the standard pattern of regular verbs. Therefore, you must memorize them to conjugate them properly and correctly in different verb tenses. Consider the following table to learn how o conjugate irregular verb “see” in verb tenses.

Conjugation of Irregular Verb See

Tenses
Conjugation of verb see
Present Simple
He sees.
Past simple
He saw.
Future simple
He will see.
Present continuous
He is seeing.
Past continuous
He was seeing.
Future continuous
He will be seeing.
Present perfect
He has seen.
Past perfect
He had seen
Future perfect
He will have seen.
Present perfect continuous
He has been seeing.
Past perfect continuous
He had been seeing.
Future perfect continuous
He will have been seeing.

Conjugation of verbs means that when a verb changes its form according to the person, tense, number, or mood. In simple words, a verb conjugation shows the happening of action in the present, past, or future time period. 

In English, there are three persons: first, second, and third person. These persons can also be singular and plural. In addition to verb tense conjugation, we must conjugate verbs according to the subject. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is verb conjugation in English grammar?

Verb conjugation refers to the change that verbs take while showing a different person, tense, number or mood. 

Why should we learn verb conjugation?

Learning verb conjugation helps you to understand how to properly used different verb forms in different verb tenses. it is also important to know how to match verb with the subject.

What is an example of verb conjugation?

Here is an example of verb conjugation of the verb “write”.

  • He writes. 
  • He wrote.
  • He will write. 
  • He is writing. 
  • He was writing. 
  • He will be writing. 
  • He has written.
  • He had written. 
  • He will have written. 
  • He has been writing. 
  • He had been writing. 
  • He will have been writing.

I hope this article helped you to learn how to conjugate verbs in English. If you liked it then please subscribe to our newsletter for more updates and the latest blog posts. 

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