Tattoo past tense

Meaning of tattoo

to mark (someone's skin) with an indelible design by inserting pigment through punctures in the skin.

Infinitive

Word: tattoo /tæˈtuː/

Examples:

1. He tattoos traditional designs better than anyone in the city.
2. She tattoos at a studio downtown.
3. The artist tattoos with precision and care, ensuring every detail is perfect.

Past Simple

Word: tattooed /tæˈtuːd/

Examples:

1. She tattooed a small heart on her wrist during her trip to Bali last summer.
2. He finally tattooed his favorite quote on his arm after years of contemplating it.
3. The artist skillfully tattooed the intricate design, leaving the customer extremely satisfied with the result.

Past Participle

Word: tattooed /tæˈtuːd/

Examples:

1. By her 25th birthday, she had tattooed a small symbol on her wrist that meant 'strength.'
2. They had tattooed their wedding date in Roman numerals on their ankles as a permanent reminder of their commitment.
3. He had tattooed a detailed map of his favorite mountain range across his back, a tribute to his adventures.

Learn more words on the go

Master verb forms with Promova!

Download the app

Bare infinitive

To describe habitual actions or routines involving marking skin with designs.
Example. She tattoos new clients every Thursday at the studio.
Example. This artist tattoos with a unique style that blends traditional and modern techniques.
Example. Always research an artist's portfolio before you decide to let them tattoo you.
To state facts or general truths about the act of tattooing.
Example. She tattoos new clients every Thursday at the studio.
Example. This artist tattoos with a unique style that blends traditional and modern techniques.
Example. Always research an artist's portfolio before you decide to let them tattoo you.
To give instructions or advice related to the process of getting or giving tattoos.
Example. She tattoos new clients every Thursday at the studio.
Example. This artist tattoos with a unique style that blends traditional and modern techniques.
Example. Always research an artist's portfolio before you decide to let them tattoo you.

Past Simple

To talk about a specific instance in the past when someone's skin was marked with a design.
Example. He tattooed a dragon on my arm last year.
Example. They tattooed traditional symbols on each participant during the ceremony.
Example. She tattooed her first client when she was an apprentice.
To describe a series of tattooing actions that occurred in the past.
Example. He tattooed a dragon on my arm last year.
Example. They tattooed traditional symbols on each participant during the ceremony.
Example. She tattooed her first client when she was an apprentice.
To express a past action of tattooing that is complete.
Example. He tattooed a dragon on my arm last year.
Example. They tattooed traditional symbols on each participant during the ceremony.
Example. She tattooed her first client when she was an apprentice.

Past Participle

Perfect tenses - To talk about actions of tattooing that have happened, with relevance to the present moment or completed at an unspecified time in the past.
Example. The participants were tattooed with the emblem of the event.
Example (Present Perfect). He has tattooed over a thousand people in his career.
Example. The participants were tattooed with the emblem of the event.
Example (Past Perfect). By the time she opened her own shop, she had tattooed in several countries.
Example. The participants were tattooed with the emblem of the event.
Passive voice - To describe situations where the focus is on someone who was marked with a design, rather than who performed the tattooing.
Example. The participants were tattooed with the emblem of the event.

Common mistakes

— 01

Incorrect Verb Form Usage

A common mistake is confusing the past simple form of a verb with its past participle form, or vice versa. For instance, the verb 'tattoo' has the past simple form 'tattooed' and the past participle form also as 'tattooed.' However, learners might mistakenly use 'tattoo' (the base form) or invent a non-existent form like 'tattoo'd' when trying to convey past actions. The correct usage is 'He tattooed a dragon on his arm last year' for past simple, indicating a specific time in the past, and 'He has tattooed many celebrities' for the past participle, typically used with the auxiliary verb 'has' or 'have' to form the present perfect tense, indicating an action that happened at an unspecified time before now.

— 02

Misuse of Past Participle

Another mistake involves incorrectly positioning the past participle when forming perfect tense constructions. For example, saying 'He has many celebrities tattooed' instead of the correct 'He has tattooed many celebrities.' The former may convey a different meaning or result in confusion.

— 03

Omitting the Auxiliary Verb

In perfect tenses, the omission of the auxiliary verb 'have' or 'has' before the past participle 'tattooed' is a frequent error. For instance, saying 'He tattooed many celebrities' when the intended meaning is 'He has tattooed many celebrities.' This mistake changes the tense from present perfect to simple past, significantly altering the time reference and meaning of the sentence.

Past tense quiz

Check your skills and find areas for improvement

Take quiz

Frequently asked questions

What is the past simple form of 'tattoo'?

The past simple form of 'tattoo' is 'tattooed.' This form is used to describe an action that happened at a specific time in the past. For example, 'Last year, I tattooed a dragon on my arm.'

How do you form the past participle of 'tattoo'?

The past participle form of 'tattoo' is also 'tattooed.' This form is used in perfect tense constructions to talk about actions that have an effect on the present or that happened at an unspecified time in the past. For example, 'I have tattooed many clients in my career.'

Can you give an example of a sentence using 'tattoo' in the past simple tense?

Yes, an example of a sentence using 'tattoo' in the past simple tense would be. 'She tattooed her first client when she was only 18 years old.' This sentence clearly indicates that the action of tattooing took place at a specific time in the past.

How would you use 'tattooed' in a sentence as a past participle?

An example of a sentence using 'tattooed' as a past participle could be. 'By the end of the year, he had tattooed over fifty designs.' This sentence uses the past participle in a past perfect tense construction to indicate that the action of tattooing happened many times before a specific point in the past.