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