Most past particples are the same as the simple past form. As you have already learned, you can make most verbs into the simple past by adding -ed to the end. Even when words do not follow this pattern, the past participle is often the same as the simple past.

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Verb shout
Simple Past I shouted
Past Participle I have shouted
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Verb whisper
Simple Past I whispered
Past Participle I have whispered
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Verb watch
Simple Past I watched
Past Participle I have watched
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Verb open
Simple Past I opened
Past Participle I have opened
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Verb fight
Simple Past I fought
Past Participle I have fought
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Verb sit
Simple Past I sat
Past Participle I have sat

However, there are many verbs that don't follow this rule. These are called irregular past participles. The trickiest verbs have simple past tenses that don't follow the-ed rule, and past participles that don't follow any rule at all!

Here are some examples of the most commonly used irregular verbs.

Verb eat be take see get buy
Simple Past I ate I was/were I took I saw I got I bought
Past Participle I have eaten I have been I have taken I have seen I have gotten I have bought
Verb begin choose ride know go
Simple Past I began I chose I rode I knew I went
Past Participle I have begun I have chosen I have ridden I have known I have gone

The good news is that irregular past participles are used the exact same way as regular past participles are.

Exercises

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