Irregulars with Grinch! (etymology)
Many irregular verbs in English trace their origins to Old English, which itself evolved from the Germanic language, the common ancestor who had invaded England many centuries ago.
English is full of irregular verbs that defy standard rules. Instead of simply adding "-ed" to form the past tense, these verbs take unique forms.
Examples: "go – went – gone" or "sing – sang – sung."
why do these irregularities exist and how did they come to be? 😈
Old English:
- "singan" (to sing) became "sang" in past tense and "sungen" in past participle.
- "drifan" (to drive) became "draf" in past tense and "drifen" in past participle.
Over time, as English evolved, some of these patterns remained, while others were replaced by the more regular "-ed" ending. However, the most commonly used strong verbs persisted, keeping their irregular forms.
The Impact of Language Contact and Borrowing
Throughout history, English has been heavily influenced by other languages, particularly Old Norse and Norman French. The Viking invasions of England (8th–11th centuries) introduced many Old Norse words, some of which blended with existing English words and altered their forms. Later, the Norman Conquest (1066) brought a flood of French vocabulary, further shaping the language. 😈
(self made video)
3:23
2
3 comments
Irregulars with Grinch! (etymology)
skool.com/lme
Adults mastering American English speaking & listening skills. No cute lessons. Serious. Over 100 LIVE 1-1 Sessions monthly! We do have free lessons✔️
Leaderboard (30-day)
1
🔥
+4190
2
🔥
+4149
3
🔥
+3636
4
🔥
+3363
5
🔥
+3021
Powered by