What is the past tense of "examine"?

The past simple of "examine" is "examined". The doctor examined the patient and took blood samples.

What is the past participle of "examine"?

The past participle of "examine" is "examined". Use it after have/has/had: "I have examined".

What is a common mistake with "examine"?

Wrong: "The doctor examine the patient yesterday.". Correct: "The doctor examined the patient yesterday.". Past tense verb must use the '-ed' form (examined) with past time reference; 'examine' is present tense

Conjugation of "Examine" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage

Q: Is "examine" regular or irregular?

"Examine" is a regular English verb. Both past simple and past participle are formed by adding -ed.

Q: How do you pronounce "examine"?

/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/ — Stress the second syllable ig-ZAM-in and pronounce the final vowel as a schwa sound like 'uh'

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All 12 Tenses of "Examine"

Quick reference table — every tense form of "examine" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.

Tense	Example (I)	Quick rule
Simple Present	`I examine`	Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule →
Simple Past	`I examined`	Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule →
Simple Future	`I will examine`	Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule →
Present Continuous	`I am examining`	Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule →
Past Continuous	`I was examining`	Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule →
Future Continuous	`I will be examining`	Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule →
Present Perfect	`I have examined`	Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule →
Past Perfect	`I had examined`	Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule →
Future Perfect	`I will have examined`	Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule →
Present Perfect Continuous	`I have been examining`	Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule →
Past Perfect Continuous	`I had been examining`	Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule →
Future Perfect Continuous	`I will have been examining`	Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule →

Past Tense of "Examine" — Examined

The past simple of "examine" is "examined" — formed by adding "-ed". Use it for actions that were completed at a specific time in the past, such as "yesterday", "last week", or "in 2020". For the full grammar of this tense, see our simple past tense guide.

The doctor examined the patient and took blood samples. B1
Scientists examined the samples under a microscope for two hours. B1

Past Participle of "Examine" — Examined

The past participle of "examine" is "examined" — the same form as the past simple, since "examine" is a regular verb. Use it after "have/has/had" for perfect tenses ("I have examined") and after "be" for passive voice ("It was examined").

The doctor examined the patient and took blood samples. B1
Scientists examined the samples under a microscope for two hours. B1

Is "Examine" Regular or Irregular?

"Examine" is a regular English verb. Its past simple and past participle are both formed by adding "-ed" to give "examined". The 3rd-person singular present is "examines" and the gerund/present participle is "examining".

Conjugation pattern: regular -ed

How to Pronounce "Examine" and Its Forms

Examine: /ɪɡˈzæmɪn/ — Stress pattern: oOo

Stress the second syllable ig-ZAM-in and pronounce the final vowel as a schwa sound like 'uh'

Common mispronunciation of "examine"

Learners may stress the first syllable or pronounce 'examine' as eks-AM-in instead of ig-ZAM-in

Syllable breakdown: ig · zam · in

How to Use "Examine" — Common Grammar Patterns

Use examine when describing careful and thorough inspection of something, commonly in medical, legal, or academic contexts

S + examine + noun
S + examine + noun + for/to + infinitive

Example Sentences with "Examine" in Different Tenses

Simple Present: Please examine the contract carefully before you sign it. B1
Simple Past: The doctor examined the patient and took blood samples. B1

Common Collocations with "Examine"

examine carefully
examine closely
examine evidence
examine a patient
examine the situation

When to Use "Examine" vs Similar Verbs

Smart synonyms — when to use each one

inspect — often used in official or professional contexts for
study — implies longer, more in-depth observation and analysis
look at — simpler, informal alternative for everyday situations

Common Mistakes with "Examine"

Wrong: She examine often.
Correct: She examines often.
Add "s" to the verb when the subject is third-person singular (he/she/it).

Origin and Etymology of "Examine"

from Latin examinare meaning 'to weigh' or 'to test'

Other Forms of "Examine"

Noun: examination
Adjective: examinable

Conjugation Tables for "Examine"

Negative Forms

Simple present: I do not examine · He does not examine
Simple past: I did not examine · She did not examine
Present perfect: I have not examined · He has not examined

Question Forms

Simple present: Do you examine? · Does he examine?
Simple past: Did you examine?
Present perfect: Have you examined?

Passive Voice (where applicable)

Simple present passive: It is examined
Simple past passive: It was examined
Present perfect passive: It has been examined

Frequently Asked Questions About "Examine"

Is "examine" regular or irregular?: "examine" is a regular verb. Add -ed for past simple and past participle: "examined".
What is the past tense of "examine"?: The simple past of "examine" is "examined".
When do I use simple present vs present continuous with "examine"?: Use simple present for habits, facts, and routines: "I examine every day." Use present continuous for actions happening right now: "I am examining right now."