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When Words Don't Follow the Pattern

Navigating the Quirks of Tech Communication

Effective communication is essential for success in the tech industry, but can be more complex. English has its own set of unpredictable rules that can trip us up, leading to misunderstandings and miscommunications.

Let's dig into these quirky aspects of the language to ensure that our technical discussions are as clear and compelling as possible.

The Unpredictable Ones ❓

So, what are we talking about when we say "unpredictable language behavior"?

In simple terms, it's when words decide not to follow the usual "-ed" past tense pattern. For example:

we don't say 'goed', we say 'went'; it's not 'finded,' it's 'found'.

• We don't say 'goed', we say 'went'.

• It's not 'finded,' it's 'found'.

Why is this so important? Imagine you're in a meeting, and you say: "Yesterday, I have build the module." Oops, red flag! 🚫

You meant to say, "Yesterday, I built the module." ✅ 

The Rule-Breaking Categories 💥

1. The Constant Ones: Like "Put" which remains steadfastly as "Put" in all its tenses.

2. The Shape-Shifters: These have a vowel transformation in the middle. For example, "Sing" morphs into "Sang."

3. The Chameleons: These change entirely their form, like how "Break" becomes "Broke."

The Tech-Specific Troublemakers 👀

Navigating the tech world, here are some of the most commonly mishandled terms:

• Build - Built - Built: Nope, it's not "builded".

• Begin - Began - Begun: You started coding as "began" and are now in the "begun" phase.

• Run - Ran - Run: Yesterday, the software "ran" smoothly.

• Know - Knew - Known: That's a neat trick you "knew"; it's been "known" for a while.

• Choose - Chose - Chosen: Fingers crossed you get "chosen" this time, unlike last when they "chose" someone else.

Tricks! 💯

Unfortunately, irregular verbs in English often don't follow a predictable pattern, which is why they can be challenging to learn. However, there are some general guidelines and tricks to help you remember them:

👉 For Unchanged Words

Tip: These are often shorter words and can sometimes be related to putting things in places, like 'put,' 'set,' and 'cut.'

👉 For Vowel Changes

Tip: Several verbs deal with physical or sensory actions, like 'run,' 'begin,' and 'sing.' Try associating the verb with the movement to remember its different forms.

👉 For Totally Different Words

Tip: These are often very commonly used verbs you'll hear frequently in daily conversations, like 'go,' 'be,' and 'have.' Because they are so common, the best way to remember them is through frequent use and practice.

🚀 The Final Take

To wrap up, small language mistakes can make a big difference. So, here are some simple tips to remember:

1. Unchanged Words: Some words stay the same in the past and future.

2. Vowel Changes: Some words change a little, usually in the middle.

3. Totally Different: Some words vary a lot from present to past.

Getting these words right shows people you're careful and know your stuff. Think of it like fixing a minor bug in a program—it makes everything work better.

Understanding the quirks of English verbs can sharpen your communication in tech, making you a better coder and a clearer communicator. Thank you for joining us!

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