Why Are There Irregular Verbs in English and Where Did They Come From?

English is full of irregular verbs that defy standard conjugation rules. Instead of simply adding "-ed" to form the past tense, these verbs take unique forms, such as "go – went – gone" or "sing – sang – sung." But why do these irregularities exist, and where did they originate?

The Influence of Old English and Germanic Roots

Many irregular verbs in English trace their origins to Old English, which itself evolved from Proto-Germanic, the common ancestor of many Germanic languages. In these early languages, verbs followed strong and weak conjugation patterns. Strong verbs formed their past tense by changing the vowel sound within the word (a process known as ablaut), while weak verbs simply added endings, much like regular verbs do today.

For example, in 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.

This intense linguistic blending caused certain verb forms to shift, while others remained untouched. Some verbs even merged forms or took on new irregularities due to how speakers adapted them in daily use.

Simplification vs. Persistence of Irregularity

Languages naturally tend to simplify over time, and many verbs that were once irregular have become regular. For example, the Old English verb "helpan" (to help) originally followed a strong conjugation but later adopted the regular "-ed" ending (helped). However, verbs that are used frequently in everyday speech tend to resist regularization because their traditional forms are deeply ingrained in the language.

Conclusion

Irregular verbs in English are linguistic fossils, remnants of older grammatical systems that have resisted change due to frequency of use and historical influences. They are challenging for learners, but they also provide insight into the rich history of the English language. Understanding their origins can make them easier to learn and appreciate.