What is the past tense of "relax"?

The past simple of "relax" is "relaxed". After work, I like to relax at home with a cup of tea.

What is the past participle of "relax"?

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

What is a common mistake with "relax"?

Wrong: "You need to relax yourself and be more patient.". Correct: "You need to relax and be more patient or You need to relax yourself.". Relax can be intransitive (no object needed) or reflexive; often the intransitive form is more natural.

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

Q: Is "relax" regular or irregular?

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

Q: How do you pronounce "relax"?

/rɪˈlæks/ — STRESS the second syllable: rih-LAKS. The first syllable is unstressed, like 'uh'.

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All 12 Tenses of "Relax"

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

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

Past Tense of "Relax" — Relaxed

The past simple of "relax" is "relaxed" — 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 "Relax" — Relaxed

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

Is "Relax" Regular or Irregular?

"Relax" is a regular English verb. Its past simple and past participle are both formed by adding "-ed" to give "relaxed". The 3rd-person singular present is "relaxes" and the gerund/present participle is "relaxing".

Conjugation pattern: regular

How to Pronounce "Relax" and Its Forms

Relax: /rɪˈlæks/ — Stress pattern: oO

STRESS the second syllable: rih-LAKS. The first syllable is unstressed, like 'uh'.

Common mispronunciation of "relax"

REE-lax or ruh-LAX (both incorrect; stress should be SECOND)

Syllable breakdown: re · lax

How to Use "Relax" — Common Grammar Patterns

Can be transitive (relax your shoulders) or intransitive (relax on the couch). Common in wellness and health contexts.

relax + object (relax your shoulders)
relax (intransitive)
relax + preposition (relax on the couch)

Example Sentences with "Relax" in Different Tenses

Simple Present: After work, I like to relax at home with a cup of tea. A2

Common Collocations with "Relax"

relax and enjoy
try to relax
help someone relax
relax your muscles
relax your mind

When to Use "Relax" vs Similar Verbs

Smart synonyms — when to use each one

unwind — Casual leisure or recovery
calm — Emotional or mental peace
rest — Physical restoration or stopping

Antonyms: tense, stress

Common Mistakes with "Relax"

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

Origin and Etymology of "Relax"

From Latin relaxare (to loosen), from re- (back) + laxare (to loosen).

Modern wellness culture emphasizes the importance of relaxation for mental and physical health.

Other Forms of "Relax"

Noun: relaxation
Adjective: relaxed
Adverb: relaxingly

Conjugation Tables for "Relax"

Negative Forms

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

Question Forms

Simple present: Do you relax? · Does he relax?
Simple past: Did you relax?
Present perfect: Have you relaxed?

Passive Voice (where applicable)

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

Frequently Asked Questions About "Relax"

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