Conjugation of "Spill" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage
"Spill" is an irregular English verb. Below you will find the complete conjugation of "spill" across all 12 tenses, with example sentences, frequently asked questions, and a quick-reference table for ESL learners and writers.
Look up another verb
All 12 Tenses of "Spill"
Quick reference table — every tense form of "spill" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.
| Tense | Example (I) | Quick rule |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | I spill |
Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule → |
| Simple Past | I spilt/spilled |
Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule → |
| Simple Future | I will spill |
Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule → |
| Present Continuous | I am spilling |
Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule → |
| Past Continuous | I was spilling |
Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule → |
| Future Continuous | I will be spilling |
Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect | I have spilt/spilled |
Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect | I had spilt/spilled |
Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect | I will have spilt/spilled |
Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect Continuous | I have been spilling |
Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect Continuous | I had been spilling |
Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect Continuous | I will have been spilling |
Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule → |
Past Tense of "Spill" — Spilt/spilled
The past simple of "spill" is "spilt/spilled". Use it for completed actions at a specific past time. Because "spill" is irregular, "spilt/spilled" 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.
Past Participle of "Spill" — Spilt/spilled
The past participle of "spill" is "spilt/spilled". Use it after "have/has/had" for the perfect tenses ("I have spilt/spilled"), and after "be" for passive constructions ("It was spilt/spilled"). Because "spill" is irregular, "spilt/spilled" is not the same as the past simple — students often confuse the two forms.
Is "Spill" Regular or Irregular?
"Spill" is an irregular English verb. Its principal parts are: base form "spill", past simple "spilt/spilled", and past participle "spilt/spilled". The 3rd-person singular present is "spills" and the present participle/gerund is "spilling". Conjugation pattern: irregular: spill-spilt/spilled-spilt/spilled (past simple = past participle).
Conjugation pattern: irregular: spill-spilt/spilled-spilt/spilled (past simple = past participle)
Common Mistakes with "Spill"
-
Wrong: She spill often.
Correct: She spills often.
Add "s" to the verb when the subject is third-person singular (he/she/it).
Conjugation Tables for "Spill"
Negative Forms
- Simple present: I do not spill · He does not spill
- Simple past: I did not spill · She did not spill
- Present perfect: I have not spilt/spilled · He has not spilt/spilled
Question Forms
- Simple present: Do you spill? · Does he spill?
- Simple past: Did you spill?
- Present perfect: Have you spilt/spilled?
Passive Voice (where applicable)
- Simple present passive: It is spilt/spilled
- Simple past passive: It was spilt/spilled
- Present perfect passive: It has been spilt/spilled
Frequently Asked Questions About "Spill"
- Is "spill" regular or irregular?
- "spill" is an irregular verb. Its past simple is "spilt/spilled" and past participle is "spilt/spilled". You must memorize these forms.
- What is the past tense of "spill"?
- The simple past of "spill" is "spilt/spilled".
- Are the past simple and past participle the same for "spill"?
- Yes, for this irregular verb, both the past simple and past participle are "spilt/spilled".