What is the past tense of "obtain"?

The past simple of "obtain" is "obtained". You can obtain a visa by submitting the required documents.

What is the past participle of "obtain"?

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

What is a common mistake with "obtain"?

Wrong: "I will obtain to buy the ticket tomorrow.". Correct: "I will obtain a ticket tomorrow.". Obtain is transitive; add the noun directly without preposition.

How do you pronounce "obtain"?

/əbˈteɪn/ — Stress on the -tain- syllable: /əbˈteɪn/. Sounds like 'ub-TAYN'.

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

Q: Is "obtain" regular or irregular?

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

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All 12 Tenses of "Obtain"

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

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

Past Tense of "Obtain" — Obtained

The past simple of "obtain" is "obtained" — 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 "Obtain" — Obtained

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

Is "Obtain" Regular or Irregular?

"Obtain" is a regular English verb. Its past simple and past participle are both formed by adding "-ed" to give "obtained". The 3rd-person singular present is "obtains" and the gerund/present participle is "obtaining".

Conjugation pattern: regular: add -ed, drop -e before -ing

How to Pronounce "Obtain" and Its Forms

Obtain: /əbˈteɪn/ — Stress pattern: oO

Stress on the -tain- syllable: /əbˈteɪn/. Sounds like 'ub-TAYN'.

Syllable breakdown: ob · tain

How to Use "Obtain" — Common Grammar Patterns

Use in formal or official contexts like business, law, or academic writing.

obtain + noun
obtain + from

Example Sentences with "Obtain" in Different Tenses

Simple Present: You can obtain a visa by submitting the required documents. B1

Common Collocations with "Obtain"

obtain permission
obtain approval
obtain access
obtain information

When to Use "Obtain" vs Similar Verbs

"obtain" vs "obtain vs get"

Obtain is more formal and official; get is casual and general.

Smart synonyms — when to use each one

get — casual and general way to receive something
acquire — for formal or official getting of items
secure — when obtaining something difficult or valuable

Antonyms: lose

Common Mistakes with "Obtain"

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

Origin and Etymology of "Obtain"

From Latin obtinere: ob- (toward) + tenere (to hold).

Conjugation Tables for "Obtain"

Negative Forms

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

Question Forms

Simple present: Do you obtain? · Does he obtain?
Simple past: Did you obtain?
Present perfect: Have you obtained?

Passive Voice (where applicable)

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

Frequently Asked Questions About "Obtain"

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