What is the past tense of "sew"?

The past simple of "sew" is "sewed". She sews buttons on her coat.

What is a common mistake with "sew"?

Wrong: "I sew a hole yesterday". Correct: "I sewed a hole yesterday". sew is irregular; use sewed in past tense, not sew

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

Q: What is the past participle of "sew"?

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

Q: Is "sew" regular or irregular?

"Sew" is an irregular English verb. Pattern: sew > sewed > sewn.

Q: How do you pronounce "sew"?

/soʊ/ — Rhymes with 'so' and 'sow' - all three are pronounced /soʊ/ despite different spellings

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All 12 Tenses of "Sew"

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

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

Past Tense of "Sew" — Sewed

The past simple of "sew" is "sewed". Use it for completed actions at a specific past time. Because "sew" is irregular, "sewed" is not formed by adding -ed — you have to memorize this form. See our simple past tense guide for a deeper explanation of the simple past.

He sewed up the hole in his jeans. B1

Past Participle of "Sew" — Sewn

The past participle of "sew" is "sewn". Use it after "have/has/had" for the perfect tenses ("I have sewn"), and after "be" for passive constructions ("It was sewn"). Because "sew" is irregular, "sewn" is not the same as the past simple — students often confuse the two forms.

The designer sewn intricate patterns into the fabric. B2

Is "Sew" Regular or Irregular?

"Sew" is an irregular English verb. Its principal parts are: base form "sew", past simple "sewed", and past participle "sewn". The 3rd-person singular present is "sews" and the present participle/gerund is "sewing". Conjugation pattern: sew > sewed > sewn.

Conjugation pattern: sew > sewed > sewn

How to Pronounce "Sew" and Its Forms

Sew: /soʊ/ — Stress pattern: O

Rhymes with 'so' and 'sow' - all three are pronounced /soʊ/ despite different spellings

How to Use "Sew" — Common Grammar Patterns

Use sew for joining fabric; sew up means to finalize an agreement or deal

V + object (direct): sew a button
V + together: sew pieces together
be + sewn (passive)

Example Sentences with "Sew" in Different Tenses

Simple Past: He sewed up the hole in his jeans. B1

Common Collocations with "Sew"

sew a button
sew together
hand-sew
sew up

When to Use "Sew" vs Similar Verbs

"sew" vs "sow"

Sow (plant seeds) sounds identical /soʊ/ - different meaning and spelling

"sew" vs "so"

All three (sew/sow/so) are homophones - context distinguishes them

Smart synonyms — when to use each one

stitch — precise technique
mend — repair existing damage
darn — fill holes with thread

Antonyms: rip, tear

Common Mistakes with "Sew"

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

Origin and Etymology of "Sew"

Old English siwian, from Proto-Germanic *siw-

Sew up idiom: means to finalize or secure a deal or arrangement

Other Forms of "Sew"

Noun: sewing

Conjugation Tables for "Sew"

Negative Forms

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

Question Forms

Simple present: Do you sew? · Does he sew?
Simple past: Did you sew?
Present perfect: Have you sewn?

Passive Voice (where applicable)

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

Frequently Asked Questions About "Sew"

Is "sew" regular or irregular?: "sew" is an irregular verb. Its past simple is "sewed" and past participle is "sewed". You must memorize these forms.
What is the past tense of "sew"?: The simple past of "sew" is "sewed".
Are the past simple and past participle the same for "sew"?: Yes, for this irregular verb, both the past simple and past participle are "sewed".