What Are Weak Verbs? (with Examples)

What Are Weak Verbs? (with Examples)

A weak verb is one that has a -d or -t ending for its simple past tense and past participle. For example:

Weak VerbSimple Past TensePast ParticipleComment
lovelovedhas lovedregular verb
playplayedhas playedregular verb
creepcrepthas creptirregular verb
shootshothas shotirregular verb
putputhas putirregular verb

Note: The terms weak verb and regular verb do not mean the same thing. Weak verb incorporates all regular verbs but also a lot of irregular verbs.

Types of Weak Verbs

There are four types of weak verbs:

Past form adds -d, -ed, or -t without a change of vowel sound. For example:

Weak VerbSimple Past TensePast ParticipleComment
lovelovedhas lovedregular verb
hatehatedhas hatedregular verb
movemovedhas movedregular verb


Past form adds -d, or -t with a change of vowel sound. For example:

Weak VerbSimple Past TensePast ParticipleComment
telltoldhas toldirregular verb
keepkepthas keptirregular verb


Past form retains the -d, or -t ending and shortens the vowel sound. For example:

Weak VerbSimple Past TensePast ParticipleComment
meetmethas metirregular verb
bleedbledhas bledirregular verb


Past form is the same as the base form. For example:

Weak VerbSimple Past TensePast ParticipleComment
putputhas putirregular verb
setsethas setirregular verb

See Also

What is the simple past tense? What are past participles? What is the base form of a verb? What are regular verbs? What are irregular verbs? Glossary of grammatical terms