Bet past tense

Type your word here
Try:

Learn past tenses to communicate in English accurately

Meaning of bet

to wager money or something valuable on the outcome of an event.

Infinitive

Word: bet /bɛt/
Examples:
  • 1. I always bet on the underdog in football matches because they can surprise you.
  • 2. She bets that the new movie will break box office records.
  • 3. They never bet more than they can afford to lose at the casino.

Past Simple

Word: bet /bɛt/
Examples:
  • 1. I bet a significant amount on the game last night, but unfortunately, I lost.
  • 2. He bet on the wrong horse and regretted his decision immediately.
  • 3. They bet their savings on the investment and were thrilled when it paid off.

Past Participle

Word: bet /bɛt/
Examples:
  • 1. All attendees had bet before the race started.
  • 2. The winning number was bet by only one player, surprising everyone in the casino.
  • 3. The secret strategy had been bet upon by the team, leading them to an unexpected victory.

Learn more words on the go

Master verb forms with Promova!

Download the app
cta-section-decorative-line-left
cta-section-decorative-line-left

Bare infinitive

  1. Habitual actions or routines.
    Example. He bets on football every Friday.
    Example. She bets on the winning horse because she studies them carefully.
    Example. He bets on the first race tomorrow.
  2. General truths or facts.
    Example. He bets on football every Friday.
    Example. She bets on the winning horse because she studies them carefully.
    Example. He bets on the first race tomorrow.
  3. Scheduled events in the near future (less common with 'bet').
    Example. He bets on football every Friday.
    Example. She bets on the winning horse because she studies them carefully.
    Example. He bets on the first race tomorrow.

Past Simple

  1. Actions completed at a definite time in the past.
    Example. He bet on the wrong horse last weekend.
    Example. She bet on every game during the 2012 season but doesn't any longer.
  2. Past habits or states (no longer true).
    Example. He bet on the wrong horse last weekend.
    Example. She bet on every game during the 2012 season but doesn't any longer.

Past Participle

  1. The past participle of 'bet' can be either 'bet' or 'betted,' with 'bet' being more commonly used. It's used in perfect tenses and passive voice structures.
    Example. He has bet on every match this season.
    Example. She had bet on the winning horse before the odds were announced.
    Example. By next year, he will have bet on races at all major tracks.
    Example. A large sum was bet on the game by many fans.
  2. Present Perfect Tense (actions that occurred at an unspecified time in the past or actions that started in the past and continue into the present).
    Example. He has bet on every match this season.
    Example. She had bet on the winning horse before the odds were announced.
    Example. By next year, he will have bet on races at all major tracks.
    Example. A large sum was bet on the game by many fans.
  3. Past Perfect Tense (actions that were completed before another action in the past).
    Example. He has bet on every match this season.
    Example. She had bet on the winning horse before the odds were announced.
    Example. By next year, he will have bet on races at all major tracks.
    Example. A large sum was bet on the game by many fans.
  4. Future Perfect Tense (actions that will be completed before a specific time in the future).
    Example. He has bet on every match this season.
    Example. She had bet on the winning horse before the odds were announced.
    Example. By next year, he will have bet on races at all major tracks.
    Example. A large sum was bet on the game by many fans.
  5. Passive Voice (focus is on the action or the object of the action, rather than the subject).
    Example. He has bet on every match this season.
    Example. She had bet on the winning horse before the odds were announced.
    Example. By next year, he will have bet on races at all major tracks.
    Example. A large sum was bet on the game by many fans.

Common mistakes

— 01

Confusing forms

A common mistake is mixing up the past simple form of the word 'bet' with its past participle form. However, 'bet' is an irregular verb where both the past simple and the past participle form are the same – 'bet.' For instance, some might incorrectly use a regular verb pattern and say 'betted' for the past participle form. Correct usage involves recognizing that 'bet' remains unchanged in both forms. Example of correct usage. 'Yesterday, I bet on the wrong horse,' and 'I have bet on horses before.'

— 02

Forming the Past Participle

Another mistake involves using 'bet' incorrectly in perfect tense constructions. Since 'bet' serves as both the past simple and past participle form, it should not be altered when used in present perfect, past perfect, or future perfect tenses. An incorrect example might be, 'I have betted on that game.' The correct form is, 'I have bet on that game.'

— 03

Misusing 'Bet' in Passive Voice

When forming passive voice sentences, some might mistakenly alter the form of 'bet.' Given that 'bet' retains its form as both past simple and past participle, it should remain unchanged even in passive constructions. An incorrect attempt might be, 'A large sum was betted by him on the race.' The correct form is, 'A large sum was bet by him on the race.'

Past tense quiz

Check your skills and find areas for improvement

Take quiz

Frequently asked questions

What is the past simple form of 'bet'?

The past simple form of 'bet' is 'bet.' It is one of those verbs in English that does not change form between the present simple and the past simple. For example, you would say, 'Yesterday, I bet on the winning horse.'

What is the past participle form of 'bet'?

The past participle form of 'bet' is also 'bet.' This verb maintains the same form across present, past simple, and past participle forms, making it easier to remember. For instance, you might say, 'I have bet on several games this season.'

How do you use 'bet' in a sentence to indicate a past action?

To indicate a past action using 'bet,' you simply use 'bet' in the sentence, keeping in mind the context of the sentence will help indicate the time frame. For example. 'Last week, I bet $50 on a poker game.' This sentence clearly shows that the action of betting happened in the past.

Can 'bet' be used differently in British and American English?

The usage of 'bet' in terms of its form as past simple and past participle is the same in both British and American English. Both dialects use 'bet' for past simple and past participle forms. However, the context in which betting is discussed (such as sports betting, casino games, etc.) might vary culturally between British and American English. For instance, betting on horse racing is popular in both, but the specific races and terminology might differ.