What are V1, V2, V3, V4, V5 verb forms?

Complete Guide to Verb Forms: Essential Formulas and Patterns

Understanding verb forms is fundamental to mastering English grammar. This comprehensive guide presents all essential verb form formulas in a structured, easy-to-understand format suitable for school and college students.

Table of Contents

  1. Basic Verb Forms (V1, V2, V3)
  2. Five Principal Forms of Verbs
  3. Tense Formation Formulas
  4. Active and Passive Voice Formulas
  5. Modal Verb Formulas
  6. Conditional Formulas
  7. Question Formation Formulas
  8. Negative Formation Formulas
  9. Common Irregular Verb Patterns
  10. Quick Reference Chart

1. Basic Verb Forms (V1, V2, V3)

The Three Core Forms

Form Name Usage Example (Regular) Example (Irregular)
V1 Base Form/Present Present tense, infinitives walk, play, study go, eat, write
V2 Past Simple Past tense walked, played, studied went, ate, wrote
V3 Past Participle Perfect tenses, passive voice walked, played, studied gone, eaten, written

Formula for Regular Verbs

  • V1 → V2: Add -ed (walk → walked)
  • V1 → V3: Add -ed (walk → walked)
  • Rule: V2 = V3 for regular verbs

Spelling Rules for Adding -ed

Rule Condition V1 V2/V3
Double final consonant CVC pattern (consonant-vowel-consonant) stop stopped
Drop 'e' and add -ed Ends in silent 'e' love loved
Change 'y' to 'i' and add -ed Consonant + y study studied
Just add -ed Most other verbs play played

2. Five Principal Forms of Verbs

Complete Verb Form System

Form Name Formula Example (Regular) Example (Irregular)
V1 Base/Infinitive [base verb] work sing
V2 Past Simple [past form] worked sang
V3 Past Participle [participle form] worked sung
V4 Present Participle V1 + ing working singing
V5 Third Person Singular V1 + s/es works sings

V4 (Present Participle) Formation Rules

Rule Condition V1 V4
Double final consonant + ing CVC ending, stressed syllable run running
Drop 'e' + ing Ends in silent 'e' make making
Just add ing Most other verbs play playing
Keep 'ie', change to 'y' + ing Ends in 'ie' lie lying

V5 (Third Person Singular) Formation Rules

Rule Condition V1 V5
Add -es Ends in s, ss, sh, ch, x, o watch watches
Change y to i, add -es Consonant + y study studies
Add -s Most other verbs play plays

3. Tense Formation Formulas

Present Tenses

Tense Formula Example Time Expression
Simple Present Subject + V1/V5 I work / He works always, usually, daily
Present Continuous Subject + am/is/are + V4 I am working now, currently, at the moment
Present Perfect Subject + have/has + V3 I have worked already, just, yet, ever
Present Perfect Continuous Subject + have/has + been + V4 I have been working for, since, lately

Past Tenses

Tense Formula Example Time Expression
Simple Past Subject + V2 I worked yesterday, last week, ago
Past Continuous Subject + was/were + V4 I was working while, when, at that time
Past Perfect Subject + had + V3 I had worked before, after, already
Past Perfect Continuous Subject + had + been + V4 I had been working for, since (in past context)

Future Tenses

Tense Formula Example Time Expression
Simple Future Subject + will + V1 I will work tomorrow, next week, soon
Future Continuous Subject + will + be + V4 I will be working at this time tomorrow
Future Perfect Subject + will + have + V3 I will have worked by, by the time
Future Perfect Continuous Subject + will + have + been + V4 I will have been working for (future duration)

4. Active and Passive Voice Formulas

Conversion Formula: Active to Passive

Basic Formula: Object + Auxiliary Verb + V3 + by + Subject

Tense Active Voice Passive Voice Formula Example
Simple Present Subject + V1/V5 + Object Object + am/is/are + V3 The letter is written
Simple Past Subject + V2 + Object Object + was/were + V3 The letter was written
Simple Future Subject + will + V1 + Object Object + will be + V3 The letter will be written
Present Continuous Subject + am/is/are + V4 + Object Object + am/is/are + being + V3 The letter is being written
Past Continuous Subject + was/were + V4 + Object Object + was/were + being + V3 The letter was being written
Present Perfect Subject + have/has + V3 + Object Object + have/has + been + V3 The letter has been written
Past Perfect Subject + had + V3 + Object Object + had + been + V3 The letter had been written
Future Perfect Subject + will have + V3 + Object Object + will have + been + V3 The letter will have been written

5. Modal Verb Formulas

Present Modal Formulas

Modal Formula Function Example
Can Subject + can + V1 Ability, Permission I can swim
Could Subject + could + V1 Past ability, Polite request I could swim when I was five
May Subject + may + V1 Permission, Possibility I may go tomorrow
Might Subject + might + V1 Slight possibility It might rain
Must Subject + must + V1 Obligation, Necessity You must study
Should Subject + should + V1 Advice, Recommendation You should exercise
Would Subject + would + V1 Hypothetical, Polite request I would help if I could
Will Subject + will + V1 Future, Willingness I will help you

Perfect Modal Formulas

Formula Function Example
Modal + have + V3 Past possibility/obligation You should have studied
Modal + have + been + V4 Past continuous possibility He might have been working

6. Conditional Formulas

Four Types of Conditionals

Type Condition Clause Result Clause Usage
Zero Conditional If + Present Simple (V1/V5) Present Simple (V1/V5) Universal truths
First Conditional If + Present Simple (V1/V5) Will + V1 Real possibility
Second Conditional If + Past Simple (V2) Would + V1 Hypothetical present
Third Conditional If + Past Perfect (had + V3) Would have + V3 Hypothetical past

Examples

Type Example
Zero If water reaches 100°C, it boils
First If it rains, I will stay home
Second If I had money, I would travel
Third If I had studied, I would have passed

7. Question Formation Formulas 

Yes/No Questions

Tense Formula Example
Simple Present Do/Does + Subject + V1? Do you work?
Simple Past Did + Subject + V1? Did you work?
Present Continuous Am/Is/Are + Subject + V4? Are you working?
Present Perfect Have/Has + Subject + V3? Have you worked?
With Modal Modal + Subject + V1? Can you work?

Wh-Questions

Formula: Wh-word + Auxiliary + Subject + Main Verb?

Wh-word Usage Example
What Things, Actions What do you want?
When Time When did you arrive?
Where Place Where are you going?
Why Reason Why are you studying?
Who Person (subject) Who called you?
How Manner, Condition How do you feel?

8. Negative Formation Formulas

Negation Rules by Tense

Tense Formula Example
Simple Present Subject + do/does + not + V1 I do not (don't) work
Simple Past Subject + did + not + V1 I did not (didn't) work
Present Continuous Subject + am/is/are + not + V4 I am not working
Present Perfect Subject + have/has + not + V3 I have not (haven't) worked
With Modal Subject + Modal + not + V1 I cannot (can't) work
To be Subject + am/is/are/was/were + not I am not ready

9. Common Irregular Verb Patterns

Pattern Categories

Pattern V1 → V2 → V3 Examples
AAA (All same) V1 = V2 = V3 cut → cut → cut, put → put → put
ABA (V1 = V3) V1 = V3, V2 different come → came → come, run → ran → run
ABB (V2 = V3) V1 different, V2 = V3 buy → bought → bought, catch → caught → caught
ABC (All different) V1 ≠ V2 ≠ V3 go → went → gone, eat → ate → eaten
Vowel change i→a→u Systematic vowel change sing → sang → sung, ring → rang → rung

Top 50 Essential Irregular Verbs

V1 (Base) V2 (Past) V3 (Past Participle) V4 (Present Participle) V5 (3rd Person)
be was/were been being is
have had had having has
do did done doing does
go went gone going goes
get got got/gotten getting gets
make made made making makes
know knew known knowing knows
think thought thought thinking thinks
take took taken taking takes
see saw seen seeing sees
come came come coming comes
want wanted wanted wanting wants
look looked looked looking looks
use used used using uses
find found found finding finds
give gave given giving gives
tell told told telling tells
work worked worked working works
call called called calling calls
try tried tried trying tries
ask asked asked asking asks
need needed needed needing needs
feel felt felt feeling feels
become became become becoming becomes
leave left left leaving leaves
put put put putting puts
mean meant meant meaning means
keep kept kept keeping keeps
let let let letting lets
begin began begun beginning begins
seem seemed seemed seeming seems
help helped helped helping helps
show showed shown/showed showing shows
hear heard heard hearing hears
play played played playing plays
run ran run running runs
move moved moved moving moves
live lived lived living lives
believe believed believed believing believes
bring brought brought bringing brings
happen happened happened happening happens
write wrote written writing writes
sit sat sat sitting sits
stand stood stood standing stands
lose lost lost losing loses
pay paid paid paying pays
meet met met meeting meets
include included included including includes
continue continued continued continuing continues
set set set setting sets

10. Quick Reference Chart

Master Formula Sheet

Component Formula Key Points
Regular Verb Formation V1 + ed = V2 = V3 Follow spelling rules
Progressive/Continuous be + V4 (ing form) Shows ongoing action
Perfect Tenses have/has/had + V3 Shows completed action
Passive Voice be + V3 Object becomes subject
Questions Auxiliary + Subject + Main Verb Invert subject and auxiliary
Negatives Subject + Auxiliary + not + Main Verb Add 'not' after auxiliary
Modals Subject + Modal + V1 Modal never changes form
Infinitive to + V1 Base form with 'to'
Gerund V4 (ing form) Acts as noun
Imperative V1 (no subject) Commands/requests

Auxiliary Verb Quick Guide

Tense Be Forms Have Forms Do Forms
Present am/is/are have/has do/does
Past was/were had did
Future will be will have will do
Present Participle being having doing
Past Participle been had done

Study Tips for Mastering Verb Forms

Effective Learning Strategies

  1. Pattern Recognition: Group irregular verbs by patterns (AAA, ABA, ABB, ABC)
  2. Daily Practice: Use 5 new irregular verbs in sentences each day
  3. Context Learning: Learn verbs in meaningful sentences, not isolation
  4. Mnemonic Devices: Create memory aids for difficult irregular verbs
  5. Regular Review: Review previously learned forms weekly
  6. Active Usage: Write and speak using different tenses daily

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake Incorrect Correct Rule
Double past Did you went? Did you go? Use V1 after 'did'
Wrong participle I have went I have gone Use V3 after 'have'
Missing -s He work here He works here Add -s for 3rd person singular
Wrong auxiliary She don't know She doesn't know Use 'doesn't' for 3rd person
Incorrect irregular form I catched it I caught it Learn irregular forms

Self-Assessment Checklist

  • Can identify V1, V2, V3, V4, and V5 forms of any verb
  • Know spelling rules for adding -ed and -ing
  • Can form all 12 tenses correctly
  • Understand active and passive voice conversion
  • Can create questions and negatives in all tenses
  • Know at least 50 common irregular verbs
  • Can use modal verbs appropriately
  • Understand conditional sentence structures

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Identify the Verb Form

Identify whether the underlined verb is V1, V2, V3, V4, or V5:

  1. She writes novels. (V5)
  2. They have written a letter. (V3)
  3. I wrote an email yesterday. (V2)
  4. We are writing a report. (V4)
  5. Please write your name. (V1)

Exercise 2: Complete the Table

Fill in the missing forms:

V1 V2 V3 V4 V5
speak ? ? ? ?
? bought ? ? ?
? ? driven ? ?
teach ? ? ? ?
? ? ? swimming ?

Exercise 3: Tense Transformation

Transform the sentence "I study English" into all 12 tenses.

Conclusion

Mastering verb forms is essential for fluent English communication. This comprehensive guide provides all the formulas and patterns needed to understand and use English verbs correctly. Regular practice with these formulas will lead to natural, accurate language use.

Remember that language learning is a gradual process. Focus on understanding the patterns and logic behind verb forms rather than memorizing rules in isolation. With consistent practice and application, these formulas will become second nature.

Key Takeaways

  1. Five principal forms (V1-V5) are the foundation of all English verb usage
  2. Regular verbs follow predictable patterns; irregular verbs must be memorized
  3. Tense formation follows specific formulas combining auxiliaries and verb forms
  4. Questions and negatives require auxiliary verbs and specific word order
  5. Practice and pattern recognition are the keys to mastery

Additional Resources

For continued learning:

  • Practice with online verb conjugation tools
  • Read extensively to see verbs in context
  • Keep a personal verb journal
  • Join English conversation groups
  • Use language learning apps for daily practice

FAQs

Question formation formulas:

Yes/No Questions:

  • Present: Do/Does + Subject + V1?
  • Past: Did + Subject + V1?
  • Continuous: BE + Subject + V4?
  • Perfect: Have/Has + Subject + V3?

Wh-Questions:

  • Formula: Wh-word + Auxiliary + Subject + Main Verb?

Section 7 of our complete guide provides all question formation formulas with examples for every tense.

Patterns for exams:

  1. Tense consistency: All verbs in a sentence should maintain logical tense relationships
  2. Subject-verb agreement: V5 forms with third person singular
  3. Parallel structure: Use same verb forms in lists
  4. Conditional sentences: Specific verb form combinations (see Section 6)
  5. Reported speech: Tense shifts following specific patterns

Our comprehensive guide includes practice exercises specifically designed for exam preparation.

Always use V3 (Past Participle) after have/has/had:

Examples:

  • I have written (Present Perfect)
  • She has gone (Present Perfect)
  • They had finished (Past Perfect)

This is fundamental to all perfect tenses, as detailed in our tense formation formulas in Section 3 above.

After 'to', always use V1 (base form):

Infinitive Formula: to + V1

Examples:

  • I want to go (not 'to went' or 'to going')
  • She needs to study
  • They decided to write

Exception: After prepositions (except 'to' in infinitives), use V4 (gerund):

  • I'm looking forward to going (here 'to' is a preposition)

Modal verbs always use V1 (base form) after them:

Formula: Subject + Modal + V1

Examples:

  • Can/could + V1: I can swim
  • Will/would + V1: I will go
  • Should/must + V1: You should study

For past meanings with modals:

  • Modal + have + V3: I should have studied

Our guide's Section 5 provides complete modal verb formulas including perfect modals and their uses.

The most effective approach:

  1. Group by patterns (as shown in Section 9 of our guide):
    • AAA pattern: cut-cut-cut
    • ABA pattern: come-came-come
    • ABB pattern: buy-bought-bought
    • ABC pattern: go-went-gone
  2. Learn high-frequency verbs first: Our guide prioritizes the 50 most common irregular verbs
  3. Use mnemonics: Create memory aids for difficult forms
  4. Practice in context: Use our exercise section to apply knowledge
  5. Regular review: Use our quick reference chart for daily revision

While our comprehensive guide above contains all the information in a well-structured format that can be saved or printed, it includes:

  • Complete verb forms tables (V1-V5)
  • 50+ irregular verbs with all forms
  • All tense formation formulas
  • Quick reference charts
  • Practice exercises with answers

The guide is formatted for easy printing and studying, with clear sections that can be used as standalone reference sheets.

Key spelling rules for adding -ing:

  1. Double final consonant + ing: CVC pattern words (run → running, sit → sitting)
  2. Drop 'e' + ing: Words ending in silent 'e' (make → making, write → writing)
  3. Change 'ie' to 'y' + ing: Words ending in 'ie' (lie → lying, die → dying)
  4. Just add -ing: Most other verbs (play → playing, study → studying)

These rules are fully explained with examples in Section 2 of our comprehensive guide, including exceptions and special cases.

Here are examples from our comprehensive tables:

V1 V2 V3 V4 V5
write wrote written writing writes
speak spoke spoken speaking speaks
eat ate eaten eating eats
study studied studied studying studies
run ran run running runs

Our guide above contains a complete table of 50 essential verbs with all five forms, plus pattern groupings for easier memorization.

The five forms of verbs are:

  • V1 (Base Form): The infinitive form used in present tense (go, write, play)
  • V2 (Past Simple): The past tense form (went, wrote, played)
  • V3 (Past Participle): Used in perfect tenses and passive voice (gone, written, played)
  • V4 (Present Participle): The -ing form used in continuous tenses (going, writing, playing)
  • V5 (Third Person Singular): The -s/-es form used with he/she/it (goes, writes, plays)

Our comprehensive guide above provides detailed tables showing all five forms for the 50 most common verbs, along with formation rules and examples.

Regular verbs: (about 90% of English verbs):

  • Follow the standard formula: V1 + ed = V2 = V3
  • Examples: walk-walked-walked, play-played-played

Irregular verbs:

  • Don't follow the standard -ed pattern
  • Must be memorized
  • Often show vowel changes or completely different forms
  • Examples: go-went-gone, sing-sang-sung

Our guide includes a comprehensive list of the 50 most essential irregular verbs (Section 9) organized by patterns to make learning easier.

V3 (Past Participle) is always used in passive voice constructions.

Formula: Object + BE + V3 + (by + subject)

Examples:

  • Present: The letter is written (V3)
  • Past: The letter was written (V3)
  • Future: The letter will be written (V3)

Our guide's Section 4 provides complete passive voice formulas for all tenses with detailed conversion rules from active to passive.

All 12 tenses use specific combinations of verb forms:

Present Tenses:

  • Simple Present: V1/V5
  • Present Continuous: am/is/are + V4
  • Present Perfect: have/has + V3
  • Present Perfect Continuous: have/has + been + V4

Past Tenses:

  • Simple Past: V2
  • Past Continuous: was/were + V4
  • Past Perfect: had + V3
  • Past Perfect Continuous: had + been + V4

Future Tenses:

  • Simple Future: will + V1
  • Future Continuous: will + be + V4
  • Future Perfect: will + have + V3
  • Future Perfect Continuous: will + have + been + V4

The complete table with examples and time expressions is provided in Section 3 of our comprehensive guide above.

The key differences are:

V2 (Past Simple):

  • Used only for simple past tense
  • Stands alone without helping verbs
  • Example: "I wrote a letter yesterday"

V3 (Past Participle):

  • Used with helping verbs (have, has, had)
  • Used in all perfect tenses
  • Used in passive voice
  • Example: "I have written a letter" / "The letter was written"

Our guide's Section 3 provides complete formulas showing exactly when to use each form across all 12 tenses.

To memorize verb forms effectively:

  1. Learn patterns, not individual verbs: Our guide groups irregular verbs into patterns (AAA, ABA, ABB, ABC)
  2. Start with the most common 50-100 verbs: These cover 90% of daily usage (see our essential list in Section 9)
  3. Use the formula approach: Regular verbs (about 90% of all verbs) follow one simple formula
  4. Practice with our structured exercises: Section includes self-assessment tools
  5. Review using our quick reference charts: Keep the master formula sheet handy

The systematic approach in our complete guide above makes learning even 1000+ verb forms manageable through pattern recognition.

The three main forms of 'go' are:

  • V1: go (base form)
  • V2: went (past simple)
  • V3: gone (past participle)

Additional forms:

  • V4: going (present participle)
  • V5: goes (third person singular)

'Go' follows the ABC pattern (all three forms different), which is explained in detail in Section 9 of our guide above, along with similar irregular verbs.

While commonly we refer to 3 main forms (V1, V2, V3), English verbs actually have 5 principal forms:

  1. Base form (V1)
  2. Past simple (V2)
  3. Past participle (V3)
  4. Present participle (V4)
  5. Third person singular present (V5)

Some linguists also count the infinitive (to + V1) and gerund separately. Our guide covers all these forms comprehensively with formulas for each.

For regular verbs, the formula is simple:

  • V1 → V2: Add -ed to the base form
  • V1 → V3: Add -ed to the base form
  • Formula: V2 = V3 for regular verbs

Example: work → worked → worked

The complete spelling rules for adding -ed (including when to double consonants or change 'y' to 'i') are detailed in Section 1 of our guide above, with extensive examples in the tables provided.

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