What is the past tense of "kill"?

The past simple of "kill" is "killed". The farmer had to kill the chicken for dinner.

What is the past participle of "kill"?

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

What is a common mistake with "kill"?

Wrong: "He kill the mosquito yesterday.". Correct: "He killed the mosquito yesterday.". Past time 'yesterday' requires past tense 'killed', not base form 'kill'.

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

Q: Is "kill" regular or irregular?

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

Q: How do you pronounce "kill"?

/kɪl/ — One syllable with short /ɪ/ vowel as in 'sit'. Double 'l' is silent—don't pronounce both.

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All 12 Tenses of "Kill"

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

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

Past Tense of "Kill" — Killed

The past simple of "kill" is "killed" — 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.

Past Participle of "Kill" — Killed

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

Is "Kill" Regular or Irregular?

"Kill" is a regular English verb. Its past simple and past participle are both formed by adding "-ed" to give "killed". The 3rd-person singular present is "kills" and the gerund/present participle is "killing".

Conjugation pattern: regular -ed

How to Pronounce "Kill" and Its Forms

Kill: /kɪl/ — Stress pattern: O

One syllable with short /ɪ/ vowel as in 'sit'. Double 'l' is silent—don't pronounce both.

Common mispronunciation of "kill"

None common; sometimes non-natives extend the vowel sound /kiːl/.

How to Use "Kill" — Common Grammar Patterns

Use 'kill + noun' for direct object. In passive: 'The patient was killed by the disease.' Idiom: 'kill time' means to pass time idly.

S + V + object
S + V + object + preposition

Example Sentences with "Kill" in Different Tenses

Simple Present: The farmer had to kill the chicken for dinner. A2

Common Collocations with "Kill"

kill an animal
kill time
kill a joke
kill the engine
kill the lights

When to Use "Kill" vs Similar Verbs

Smart synonyms — when to use each one

murder — when referring to unlawful killing of humans
execute — for legal punishment by death
slaughter — for mass killing or animals for food

Antonyms: save, preserve, spare

Common Mistakes with "Kill"

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

Origin and Etymology of "Kill"

From Old English 'cwellan', meaning to strike, torment, or kill.

In hunting and food production, 'kill' is standard terminology. In casual speech: 'kill a joke' (ruin), 'kill time' (pass time idly).

Other Forms of "Kill"

Noun: killer
Adjective: killing

Conjugation Tables for "Kill"

Negative Forms

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

Question Forms

Simple present: Do you kill? · Does he kill?
Simple past: Did you kill?
Present perfect: Have you killed?

Passive Voice (where applicable)

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

Frequently Asked Questions About "Kill"

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