Home1815 Edition

ANOMALOUS VERBS

Volume 2 · 103 words · 1815 Edition

Grammar, such as are not conjugated conformably to the paradigm of their conjugation. They are found in all languages. In Latin, the verb lego is the paradigm of the third conjugation; and runs thus, lego, legis, legit; by the same rule it should be fero, ferit, fert; but we say, fero, fers, fert: fero, then, is an anomalous verb. In English the irregularity relates often to the preter tense and passive participle: for example, give, were it formed according to rule, would make given in the preter tense and passive participle; whereas, in the former, it makes gave, and in the latter given.