What is the past tense of "relate"?

The past simple of "relate" is "related". Can you relate this chapter to the main themes of the book?

What is the past participle of "relate"?

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

What is a common mistake with "relate"?

Wrong: "He related the story happening in the novel with his own life.". Correct: "He related the events in the novel to his own life.". Use 'to' not 'with' when connecting two things; use 'relate to' for empathy with people.

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

Q: Is "relate" regular or irregular?

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

Look up another verb

All 12 Tenses of "Relate"

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

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

Past Tense of "Relate" — Related

The past simple of "relate" is "related" — 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 related her experience as a teacher to the audience during the presentation. B1

Past Participle of "Relate" — Related

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

She related her experience as a teacher to the audience during the presentation. B1

Is "Relate" Regular or Irregular?

"Relate" is a regular English verb. Its past simple and past participle are both formed by adding "-ed" to give "related". The 3rd-person singular present is "relates" and the gerund/present participle is "relating".

Conjugation pattern: regular: add -ed for past simple and past participle

How to Pronounce "Relate" and Its Forms

Relate: /rɪˈleɪt/ — Stress pattern: oO

Syllable breakdown: re · late

Example Sentences with "Relate" in Different Tenses

Simple Present: Can you relate this chapter to the main themes of the book? B1
Simple Past: She related her experience as a teacher to the audience during the presentation. B1

Common Collocations with "Relate"

relate to someone
relate something to something
relate a story
relate well with

When to Use "Relate" vs Similar Verbs

Smart synonyms — when to use each one

connect — show how things are linked
associate — think of things together similarly
understand — feel connection with someone's experience

Common Mistakes with "Relate"

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

Conjugation Tables for "Relate"

Negative Forms

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

Question Forms

Simple present: Do you relate? · Does he relate?
Simple past: Did you relate?
Present perfect: Have you related?

Passive Voice (where applicable)

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

Frequently Asked Questions About "Relate"

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