Fit past tense

Type your word here
Try:

Learn past tenses to communicate in English accurately

Meaning of fit

be of the right shape and size for.

Infinitive

Word: fit /fɪt/
Examples:
  • 1. This key doesn't fit in the lock.
  • 2. She always fits her workouts into her busy schedule.
  • 3. The new sofa fits perfectly in the living room.

Past Simple

Word: fit /ˈfɪt/ or fitted /ˈfɪtɪd/
Examples:
  • 1. She finally found a dress that fit her perfectly for the wedding.
  • 2. The new sofa barely fit through the doorway, but with some effort, we got it inside.
  • 3. After losing some weight, he was thrilled that his old jeans fit him again.

Past Participle

Word: fitted /ˈfɪtɪd/
Examples:
  • 1. The new sofa has been perfectly fitted into the small living room.
  • 2. Her wedding dress was custom-fitted by a skilled seamstress.
  • 3. The pieces of the puzzle have been fitted together flawlessly.

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. To express habits or general truths.
    Example. I fit into my old jeans after all these years. To state facts or permanent situations.
    Example. Water fits into any shape container.

Past Simple

  1. To talk about completed actions in the past at a specific time.
    Example. I fit the key into the lock easily last night.
    Example. She fitted the pieces together quickly during the game.
    Example. He didn't fit in well at the new school last year.
  2. For a series of completed actions in the past.
    Example. I fit the key into the lock easily last night.
    Example. She fitted the pieces together quickly during the game.
    Example. He didn't fit in well at the new school last year.
  3. To talk about past habits or general situations.
    Example. I fit the key into the lock easily last night.
    Example. She fitted the pieces together quickly during the game.
    Example. He didn't fit in well at the new school last year.

Past Participle

  1. In perfect tenses to talk about actions in relation to other time points.
    Example. I have finally fit into the team.
    Example. By the time the meeting started, she had fit all the documents into the folder.
    Example. By next year, I will have fit into the local community.
    Example. The puzzle piece was fit perfectly by the end of the session.
  2. Present Perfect. For actions or situations that occurred at an unspecified time before now. The exact time is not important.
    Example. I have finally fit into the team.
    Example. By the time the meeting started, she had fit all the documents into the folder.
    Example. By next year, I will have fit into the local community.
    Example. The puzzle piece was fit perfectly by the end of the session.
  3. Past Perfect. For actions completed before a certain point in the past.
    Example. I have finally fit into the team.
    Example. By the time the meeting started, she had fit all the documents into the folder.
    Example. By next year, I will have fit into the local community.
    Example. The puzzle piece was fit perfectly by the end of the session.
  4. Future Perfect. For actions that will be completed by a certain future time.
    Example. I have finally fit into the team.
    Example. By the time the meeting started, she had fit all the documents into the folder.
    Example. By next year, I will have fit into the local community.
    Example. The puzzle piece was fit perfectly by the end of the session.
  5. Passive voice constructions to describe actions done to the subject.
    Example. I have finally fit into the team.
    Example. By the time the meeting started, she had fit all the documents into the folder.
    Example. By next year, I will have fit into the local community.
    Example. The puzzle piece was fit perfectly by the end of the session.

Common mistakes

— 01

Incorrect Use

A common mistake involves using 'fitted' instead of 'fit' when following American English conventions. In American English, 'fit' is both the past simple and past participle form of the verb when referring to something being the correct size or shape. For instance, 'The dress fit her perfectly last year' is often mistakenly written as 'The dress fitted her perfectly last year.' In British English, however, 'fitted' is commonly accepted.

— 02

Confusion Over 'Fit' vs

'Fitted' in Different Contexts. Another mistake is not recognizing that 'fit' and 'fitted' can both be correct depending on the context, even within the same dialect. 'Fit' is used when referring to the correct size and shape, but 'fitted' is used when referring to the action of making something fit (usually in British English). For example, 'He fitted the new kitchen in our house' is correct, while saying 'He fit the new kitchen in our house' might be considered incorrect in contexts where 'fitted' is expected.

— 03

Misapplication of 'Fit'

Some learners incorrectly apply the common '-ed' rule for past simple and past participle forms to 'fit,' believing it should follow the pattern of regular verbs. This mistake might lead them to incorrectly conjugate 'fit' as 'fited' instead of the correct 'fit' or 'fitted' depending on the dialect and context. This misunderstanding showcases a broader challenge with English verb forms, where irregular verbs do not follow the typical patterns of regular verb conjugation.

Past tense quiz

Check your skills and find areas for improvement

Take quiz

Frequently asked questions

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

The word 'fit' has two different past forms in standard English, which can cause some confusion. In American English, 'fit' typically follows the regular verb pattern, with both the past simple and the past participle being 'fitted' (e.g., 'Yesterday, I fitted the new cover on my phone.'). However, in British English, 'fit' can be irregular, with the past simple as 'fit' (e.g., 'The key fit the lock perfectly.') and the past participle as either 'fit' or 'fitted' depending on the context and preference (e.g., 'The shoes haven't fit/fitted me since last year.').

How do I know when to use 'fit,' 'fitted,' or 'fit' as the past participle in a sentence?

The choice between 'fit,' 'fitted,' or 'fit' as the past participle often depends on the dialect of English being used. In American English, 'fitted' is commonly used for both the past simple and the past participle (e.g., 'She had already fitted the dress.'). In British English, 'fit' as the past simple and either 'fit' or 'fitted' as the past participle are acceptable, with the choice often coming down to personal or regional preference. Context and consistency within your writing or speech will guide your choice. When in doubt, consult a style guide or follow the pattern used in the publication or group you are communicating with.

Can you give examples of sentences using 'fit' in the past simple and past participle forms?

Past Simple (American English). 'I fitted the pieces together without looking at the instructions.' Past Simple (British English). 'He fit all his belongings into the suitcase somehow.' Past Participle (American English). 'The dress has been fitted for her specifically.' Past Participle (British English). 'These jeans haven't fit me since I bought them.' or 'These jeans haven't fitted me since I bought them.' Is there a rule of thumb for using 'fit' in different English-speaking regions