Past tense is one of the most important aspects of English grammar, and it can be challenging to learn. One verb that can cause confusion is “swear.” Knowing the correct past tense of “swear” is essential for communicating effectively in English. In this article, we will explore the past tense of “swear” and provide examples to help you understand how to use it correctly.
Key Takeaways
- Understanding the past tense is crucial for effective communication in English
- The past tense of “swear” is “swore” and “sworn”
- Practice exercises can help you improve your understanding of the past tense of “swear”
Understanding Past Tense of Swear
As an English learner, understanding past tense is crucial for effective communication. One of the most common verbs you’ll encounter in the past tense is “swear.” In this section, we’ll explore the past tense of swear and provide examples to help you understand how to use it correctly.
What is the Past Tense of “Swear”?
The past tense of “swear” is “swore.” This is an irregular verb, which means that it does not follow the regular conjugation pattern of adding “-ed” to the base form of the verb. Here’s how to conjugate “swear” in the past tense:
| Subject | Verb |
|---|---|
| I | swore |
| You | swore |
| He/She/It | swore |
| We | swore |
| They | swore |
Examples of “Swear” in the Past Tense
Here are some examples of “swear” in the past tense:
- I swore I would never do it again.
- She swore she didn’t know anything about it.
- We both swore to keep the secret.
- They swore to protect their country.
Using “Swore” in Context
It’s important to use “swore” in the correct context to avoid confusion. Here are some examples of how to use “swore” in context:
- I swore I would never eat sushi again after getting food poisoning.
- She swore she didn’t cheat on the test, but her score was suspiciously high.
- We both swore to keep the secret, but I couldn’t resist telling my best friend.
- They swore to protect their country from all enemies, foreign and domestic.
Different Past Tense of Swear
Simple Past
The past tense of ‘swear’ is ‘swore’. It is used to talk about something that happened in the past. Here are some examples:
- Yesterday, I swore that I would never eat sushi again.
- She swore at the driver who cut her off on the highway.
- They swore to keep the secret between themselves.
Past Participle
The past participle of ‘swear’ is ‘sworn’. It is used with the auxiliary verb ‘have’ to form the present perfect tense. Here are some examples:
- I have never sworn in front of my parents.
- She has sworn to uphold the law and protect her citizens.
- They have sworn allegiance to their country.
Present Participle
The present participle of ‘swear’ is ‘swearing’. It is used to talk about an action that is ongoing or in progress. Here are some examples:
- He is swearing at the computer because it keeps crashing.
- They are swearing to each other that they will never forget this moment.
- I am swearing off social media for a week to focus on my studies.
Using Past Tense of Swear in Sentences
In Affirmative Sentences
In affirmative sentences, the past tense of swear is used to indicate an action that has already happened in the past. Here are some examples:
- I swore to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
- He swore that he would never do it again.
- They swore allegiance to their country.
In Negative Sentences
In negative sentences, the past tense of swear is used to indicate an action that did not happen in the past. Here are some examples:
- I did not swear at him when he insulted me.
- He did not swear that he would come back.
- They did not swear to keep the secret.
In Interrogative Sentences
In interrogative sentences, the past tense of swear is used to ask a question about an action that happened in the past. Here are some examples:
- Did you swear to tell the truth in court?
- Did he swear that he would never do it again?
- Did they swear allegiance to their country?
It is important to note that the past tense of swear can also be used in conjunction with other verbs to form compound tenses. For example, the past participle of swear is sworn, which can be used to form the present perfect tense (have/has sworn) and the past perfect tense (had sworn).
Common Mistakes When Using Past Tense of Swear
As with any language, English has its fair share of tricky grammar rules, and the past tense of “swear” is no exception. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using this irregular verb:
Mistake #1: Using “swear” as a regular verb
While “swear” may look like a regular verb, it is actually irregular. This means that its past tense and past participle forms do not follow the usual “-ed” pattern. The correct past tense of “swear” is “swore,” not “swared” or “swareded.”
Example: Yesterday, I swore that I would never eat sushi again.
Mistake #2: Confusing “sworn” with “swore”
“Sworn” is the past participle of “swear,” which means it is used to form the present perfect and past perfect tenses, as well as the passive voice. “Swore,” on the other hand, is used to describe a completed action in the past.
Example: I have sworn to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. (present perfect)
Example: He swore that he would never drink again. (simple past)
Mistake #3: Using “swear” incorrectly in the past continuous tense
The past continuous tense is used to describe an ongoing action in the past. However, “swear” is not typically used in the past continuous tense, as it describes a completed action.
Example (incorrect): I was swearing at the TV last night.
Example (correct): I swore at the TV last night.
Mistake #4: Using “swear” incorrectly in conditional sentences
Conditional sentences are used to describe hypothetical situations. In English, the past tense is often used in the “if” clause to describe a hypothetical situation, while the present tense is used in the main clause to describe the result.
Example (incorrect): If I swore at my boss, I will get fired.
Example (correct): If I swore at my boss, I would get fired.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can improve your understanding and usage of the past tense of “swear.”
Practice Exercises
Now that we have covered the past tense of swear, it’s time to put what we’ve learned into practice. In this section, we will provide you with some exercises to help you master the past tense of swear.
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks
Complete the following sentences with the correct past tense of the verb “swear.”
- Yesterday, I __________ that I would never eat sushi again.
- She __________ that she would never speak to him again.
- He __________ that he would never forget her.
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct past tense of the verb “swear” to complete the following sentences.
- She __________ that she would never tell anyone.
a. swears
b. swore
c. had sworn - He __________ that he would never drink again.
a. swears
b. swore
c. had sworn - They __________ that they would never forget the experience.
a. swears
b. swore
c. had sworn
Exercise 3: Rewrite the Sentences
Rewrite the following sentences in the past tense.
- I swear that I will never do that again.
- She swears that she will always love him.
- He swears that he saw a ghost last night.
Exercise 4: Match the Sentences
Match the sentences on the left with their corresponding past tense form on the right.
| Sentence | Past Tense Form |
|---|---|
| I swear that I will never do that again. | swore |
| She swears that she will always love him. | had sworn |
| He swears that he saw a ghost last night. | swears |
| They swore that they would never forget it. | had sworn |
| We swear that we didn’t do it. | swore |
By completing these exercises, you will be able to reinforce your understanding of the past tense of swear and improve your overall English grammar skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the past tense of the verb ‘swear’?
The past tense of the verb ‘swear’ is ‘swore’. For example, “I swore to tell the truth.”
What is the past participle form of the verb ‘swear’?
The past participle form of the verb ‘swear’ is ‘sworn’. For example, “I have sworn to tell the truth.”
What are the five forms of the verb ‘swear’?
The five forms of the verb ‘swear’ are: base form (swear), past tense (swore), past participle (sworn), present participle (swearing), and third person singular present (swears).
Is ‘sweared’ a word?
‘Sweared’ is not a word. The correct past tense of ‘swear’ is ‘swore’.
What is the V3 form of the verb ‘swear’?
The V3 form of the verb ‘swear’ is ‘sworn’. This form is used in the present perfect tense and the past perfect tense. For example, “I have sworn to tell the truth” (present perfect) and “He had sworn to tell the truth” (past perfect).
What is the past tense of the verb ‘repay’?
The past tense of the verb ‘repay’ is ‘repaid’. For example, “I repaid the loan last month.”
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