Build past tense

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Meaning of build

construct by putting parts or materials together.

Infinitive

Word: build /bɪld/
Examples:
  • 1. They build houses for those in need every year.
  • 2. She builds intricate models from recycled materials as a hobby.
  • 3. The company builds software solutions for small businesses.

Past Simple

Word: built /bɪlt/
Examples:
  • 1. They built a sandcastle on the beach last summer.
  • 2. The company built a new headquarters in downtown last year.
  • 3. She built a strong case for her promotion during the meeting yesterday.

Past Participle

Word: built /bɪlt/
Examples:
  • 1. The house was built in 1908 by my great-grandfather.
  • 2. The new highway has been built to ease congestion in the city center.
  • 3. By next year, the bridge will have been built to connect the two islands.

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Bare infinitive

  1. Habitual Actions or Routines
    Example. He builds model airplanes in his spare time.
    Example. Water builds pressure when heated in an enclosed space.
    Example. The team builds the prototype next Thursday.
    Example. First, you build the frame; then you add the roof.
  2. General Truths or Facts
    Example. He builds model airplanes in his spare time.
    Example. Water builds pressure when heated in an enclosed space.
    Example. The team builds the prototype next Thursday.
    Example. First, you build the frame; then you add the roof.
  3. Fixed Arrangements (Sometimes)
    Example. He builds model airplanes in his spare time.
    Example. Water builds pressure when heated in an enclosed space.
    Example. The team builds the prototype next Thursday.
    Example. First, you build the frame; then you add the roof.
  4. Instructions or Directions
    Example. He builds model airplanes in his spare time.
    Example. Water builds pressure when heated in an enclosed space.
    Example. The team builds the prototype next Thursday.
    Example. First, you build the frame; then you add the roof.

Past Simple

  1. Completed Actions in the Past
    Example. They built the bridge in 1920.
    Example. When she was a child, she built sandcastles every summer at the beach.
    Example. First, they built the foundation, and then they constructed the walls.
    Example. He said they built the house in six months.
  2. Past Habits or States
    Example. They built the bridge in 1920.
    Example. When she was a child, she built sandcastles every summer at the beach.
    Example. First, they built the foundation, and then they constructed the walls.
    Example. He said they built the house in six months.
  3. Sequential Actions in the Past
    Example. They built the bridge in 1920.
    Example. When she was a child, she built sandcastles every summer at the beach.
    Example. First, they built the foundation, and then they constructed the walls.
    Example. He said they built the house in six months.
  4. Indirect Speech
    Example. They built the bridge in 1920.
    Example. When she was a child, she built sandcastles every summer at the beach.
    Example. First, they built the foundation, and then they constructed the walls.
    Example. He said they built the house in six months.

Past Participle

  1. Perfect Tenses
    Example. Present Perfect. They have built three houses this year.
    Example. Past Perfect. By the time we arrived, they had already built the stage.
    Example. Future Perfect. By next month, they will have built the entire complex.
    Example. The cathedral was built in the 14th century.
    Example. A newly built stadium is opening in our city.
    Example. If it had been built sturdily, the house would have withstood the storm.
  2. Passive Voice
    Example. Present Perfect. They have built three houses this year.
    Example. Past Perfect. By the time we arrived, they had already built the stage.
    Example. Future Perfect. By next month, they will have built the entire complex.
    Example. The cathedral was built in the 14th century.
    Example. A newly built stadium is opening in our city.
    Example. If it had been built sturdily, the house would have withstood the storm.
  3. Adjectives/Description
    Example. Present Perfect. They have built three houses this year.
    Example. Past Perfect. By the time we arrived, they had already built the stage.
    Example. Future Perfect. By next month, they will have built the entire complex.
    Example. The cathedral was built in the 14th century.
    Example. A newly built stadium is opening in our city.
    Example. If it had been built sturdily, the house would have withstood the storm.
  4. Conditional Sentences
    Example. Present Perfect. They have built three houses this year.
    Example. Past Perfect. By the time we arrived, they had already built the stage.
    Example. Future Perfect. By next month, they will have built the entire complex.
    Example. The cathedral was built in the 14th century.
    Example. A newly built stadium is opening in our city.
    Example. If it had been built sturdily, the house would have withstood the storm.

Common mistakes

— 01

Confusing Irregular Verbs

Many English learners struggle with irregular verbs because they do not follow a standard pattern for their past simple and past participle forms. For example, the verb 'to go' has the past simple form 'went' and the past participle form 'gone,' which are entirely different from the base form. A common mistake is applying a regular verb pattern to an irregular verb, such as saying 'goed' instead of 'went' or using 'went' as the past participle instead of 'gone.' This error disrupts the grammatical accuracy of the sentence.

— 02

Incorrect Use of Past Participle

The past participle form of a verb is often used in perfect tenses and requires an auxiliary verb like 'have' or 'had.' A frequent mistake is using the past participle form on its own as if it were the past simple form. For instance, saying 'I gone to the store' instead of the correct 'I went to the store' (past simple) or 'I have gone to the store' (present perfect).

— 03

Regular Verb Patterns

While many English verbs form their past simple and past participle by adding '-ed' to the base form, learners sometimes overapply this rule to irregular verbs. For example, incorrectly transforming 'sing' into 'singed' instead of 'sang' (past simple) and 'sung' (past participle). This mistake not only alters the intended verb but can also unintentionally change the meaning of the sentence, as 'singed' is a valid word with a completely different meaning.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the past simple and past participle forms of 'build'?

The past simple form of 'build' is 'built.' This form is used to describe actions that were completed in the past. The past participle form is also 'built.' The past participle is often used with auxiliary verbs to form perfect tenses or the passive voice.

How do you use the past simple form 'built'?

The past simple form 'built' is used to talk about completed actions that happened at a specific time in the past. For example, 'I built a sandcastle yesterday.' In this sentence, 'built' indicates that the action of building a sandcastle was completed in the past.

Can you give an example of how to use 'built' as a past participle in a sentence?

Yes, the past participle form 'built' can be used in several ways, including in the perfect tenses and passive voice. For example, in the perfect tense. 'We have built a new house.' Here, 'have built' indicates an action that was completed in the past but is relevant to the present. In the passive voice. 'A new mall was built in our town last year.' This sentence focuses on the action of building, and the subject (the new mall) receives the action. Is there a difference in meaning between the past simple 'built' and the past participle 'built'