LESSON 1.13
-en Sound Verbs
As you recall, you can remember the lesser verbs by using this picture and caption:
I AM TENTING
Review
Am Am is always a verb.
Be Be is closely related to am. It is also always a verb.
To To is a verb if followed by a verb. Sometimes a word will separate to and its verb.
For example: to boldly go
-n Verbs
The n of I AM TENTING refers to verbs ending in the –n sound. Those are common verbs that are hard to say quickly. They therefore changed over time. Most wound up ending with an –n sound, such as done, gone, shown, and known.
The –n sound, however, does not mean that all words that end in an n sound are verbs or that all verbs ending in n are –n verbs.
Below, the –n verbs are in groups of six to eight words that usually have something in common, such as rhyming. That will make them easier to memorize.
Class Activity
Fill in the blanks. Use a dictionary if necessary.
Exception
There is one exception to the –n verbs. Swum (which many people no longer use) ends with an m.
They swim. They have swum.
Small Group Activity
What is the –n verb for the following? Example: hide: hidden
1. be | 6. wrote |
2. rode | 7. fly |
3. freeze | 8. threw |
4. prove | 9. lie (down) |
5. give | 10. swim |
Individual or Small Group Activity
Complete the exercise: England