Conjugation of "Fill" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage
To put something into a container until it is full or complete.
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All 12 Tenses of "Fill"
Quick reference table — every tense form of "fill" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.
| Tense | Example (I) | Quick rule |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | I fill |
Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule → |
| Simple Past | I filled |
Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule → |
| Simple Future | I will fill |
Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule → |
| Present Continuous | I am filling |
Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule → |
| Past Continuous | I was filling |
Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule → |
| Future Continuous | I will be filling |
Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect | I have filled |
Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect | I had filled |
Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect | I will have filled |
Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect Continuous | I have been filling |
Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect Continuous | I had been filling |
Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect Continuous | I will have been filling |
Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule → |
Past Tense of "Fill" — Filled
The past simple of "fill" is "filled" — 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.
- She filled the bathtub before taking a shower. A1
- He filled out the job application form yesterday. A2
Past Participle of "Fill" — Filled
The past participle of "fill" is "filled" — the same form as the past simple, since "fill" is a regular verb. Use it after "have/has/had" for perfect tenses ("I have filled") and after "be" for passive voice ("It was filled").
- She filled the bathtub before taking a shower. A1
- He filled out the job application form yesterday. A2
Is "Fill" Regular or Irregular?
"Fill" is a regular English verb. Its past simple and past participle are both formed by adding "-ed" to give "filled". The 3rd-person singular present is "fills" and the gerund/present participle is "filling".
Conjugation pattern: regular -ed
How to Pronounce "Fill" and Its Forms
Fill: /fɪl/ — Stress pattern: O
Rhymes with 'hill' and 'will'. The vowel is short, like in 'sit'.
How to Use "Fill" — Common Grammar Patterns
Use 'fill' with a direct object (the thing being filled) or 'fill in/out' for forms and blanks.
S + V + O (with what)S + V + in/out (forms)
Example Sentences with "Fill" in Different Tenses
- Simple Present: Can you fill this glass with water for me? A1
- Simple Past: She filled the bathtub before taking a shower. A1
Common Collocations with "Fill"
- fill a cup
- fill in a form
- fill the gap
- fill a position
When to Use "Fill" vs Similar Verbs
"fill" vs "full"
'Fill' is a verb (action); 'full' is an adjective (state)
Smart synonyms — when to use each one
- load — when filling a container with cargo or heavy
- complete — when filling in forms or finishing required information
Antonyms: empty
Common Mistakes with "Fill"
-
Wrong: She fill often.
Correct: She fills often.
Add "s" to the verb when the subject is third-person singular (he/she/it).
Origin and Etymology of "Fill"
From Old English 'fyllan' meaning to make full.
Conjugation Tables for "Fill"
Negative Forms
- Simple present: I do not fill · He does not fill
- Simple past: I did not fill · She did not fill
- Present perfect: I have not filled · He has not filled
Question Forms
- Simple present: Do you fill? · Does he fill?
- Simple past: Did you fill?
- Present perfect: Have you filled?
Passive Voice (where applicable)
- Simple present passive: It is filled
- Simple past passive: It was filled
- Present perfect passive: It has been filled
Frequently Asked Questions About "Fill"
- Is "fill" regular or irregular?
- "fill" is a regular verb. Add -ed for past simple and past participle: "filled".
- What is the past tense of "fill"?
- The simple past of "fill" is "filled".
- When do I use simple present vs present continuous with "fill"?
- Use simple present for habits, facts, and routines: "I fill every day." Use present continuous for actions happening right now: "I am filling right now."