LookItUp

past tense

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˌpæst ˈtɛns/ · UK /ˌpɑːst ˈtens/

past tense means: A verb form used to talk about things that happened or were true before now.

noun

EARLIER TIME FORMA2

A verb form used to talk about things that happened or were true before now.

  • Use the past tense here.
  • The past tense of 'eat' is 'ate'.
  • We wrote three sentences in the past tense.

Similar words: past

Common phrases: simple past tense, past tense form

verb

KILLC2

To kill someone or something.

  • The villain threatened to past tense him.
  • In the game, she past tensed the guard.
  • He hired an assassin to past tense his rival.

Similar words: kill, finish off

Common phrases: past tense someone, past tense the enemy

Questions about past tense

What does past tense mean?

A verb form used to talk about things that happened or were true before now.

What is past tense in other languages?

Türkçe: geçmiş zaman · Español: tiempo pasado · Français: temps du passé · Deutsch: Vergangenheitsform · Italiano: tempo passato · 日本語: 過去時制

How do you pronounce past tense?

In American English /ˌpæst ˈtɛns/; in British English /ˌpɑːst ˈtens/.

How do you use past tense in a sentence?

Use the past tense here. The past tense of 'eat' is 'ate'.

Learn past tense while you read

LookItUp shows the meaning that fits your sentence, in your language, and turns new words into quick practice cards.

Coming soon on the App Store LookItUp app for iPhone and iPad

past tense in other languages

More words