Giant Verb List: 3,250 Verbs Plus Spelling Rules and Irregular Verbs Marked

The Key: Understanding the Marks and Numbers Next to the Verbs

Read over and make sure you understand the spelling rules and marks. Also, take a quick look at the Totals. They show you how common or uncommon a rule is.

The Key: Marks: Regular Verbs, Irregular Verbs, and Linking Verbs

(  ) Regular Verbs: Regular verbs don’t have a mark next to them. However, many of these regular verbs still have a spelling change mark. If there is no spelling change mark next to the verb, just add –s, –ed, or –ing to the end of the verb. It’s that simple!   Total: 3,045

(+) Irregular Verbs: Irregular verbs have a “+” mark next to them. Some irregular verbs also have a spelling change mark. However, you must still consult a complete list of irregular verbs.    Total: 205

(LV) Linking Verbs: Some linking verbs can also be used as action verbs. Also, 9 linking verbs are regular verbs and 5 are irregular. The eight forms of BE equal just one verb on this list.  Total: 14

The Key: Marks: Regular Verbs with a Spelling Change: Adding –s, –ed, or –ing to the End of a Verb

(1) Rule 1 Drop the Final –E: If a regular verb ends with –e, drop the –e and add –ed or –ing. Note: When adding –ed, we could say just add a –d. It brings about the same result.  Exception: If the verb ends in –ee, don’t drop the final –e; just add –d or  –ing.   Total: 1,245

(2) Rule 2a Double the Final Consonant: If a regular verb is one syllable, has one vowel, and ends with a single consonant (except x), double the final consonant and then add –ed or –ing. The vowel sounds in these words are short; hence, I call this rule SHORT ONE (1 syllable; 1 vowel; 1 ending consonant; and 1 short vowel sound).    Total: 235 (2a and 2b)

(2) Rule 2b Double the Final Consonant: If a regular verb has two or more syllables, ends with a single vowel then consonant, and the last syllable of the root word is stressed, then double the final consonant and add –ed or –ing. If the final consonant is –l, American English usually does not double the consonant, but British English does. (I’ve added RB for Rule Breaker to some of these British English words.)

(3) Rule 3 Change the Y to I: If the verb ends in –y, change the y to i and add –es (not –s) or –ed. Exception: If a vowel immediately precedes the final y, just add –s or –ed. (Note: Don’t change the y to i when adding –ing. Just add the –ing.)    Total: 91

(4) Rule 4 Add –ES: When adding –s to the end of the verb, if the verb ends in –sh (63), –s (1), –ss (55), –x (15), –ch (72), –z (2), or –o (10), add –es (not –s). The () indicate how many instances of each.    Total: 218

(RB) Rule Breakers: I’ve marked RB for words that break a spelling rule or are a strange exception in one way or another. For example, the rule may work when adding –ed but not when adding –ing. Or perhaps American English spells it one way, and British English spells it another. Finally, some words just have an uncommon spelling change when adding certain suffixes. You may need to research yourself to find out what makes the word a Rule Breaker.   Total: 23