Past Tense of Arise
“Arise” is irregular: arise → arose → arisen. Use “arose” as the finite simple-past form and “arisen” after auxiliaries such as have, has, or had, or in other participial constructions. Keep this intransitive verb distinct from the separate verbs “rise” and “raise.”
The simple past of “arise” is “arose.” Its past participle is “arisen.”
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| completed action in simple past | arose | Use “arose.” |
| past participle after have/has/had | arisen | Use “arisen.” |
| present/base-form context | arise | Use “arise” when a past form is not required. |
Quick tests
Verb-form test
Does the sentence require the simple past rather than a past participle of “arise”?
If yes: Use “arose.”
If no: If the construction requires a past participle, use “arisen”; otherwise keep the appropriate present form.
Caveat: The simple past is “arose”; the past participle is “arisen.” Keep this intransitive verb distinct from the separate verbs “rise” and “raise.”
Examples
A problem arose during testing.
“Arose” is the simple past.
Several questions have arisen since the meeting.
“Arisen” is the past participle after “have.”
New issues can arise without warning.
The base form remains “arise.”
Further guidance
Core difference
Use “arose” for simple past and “arisen” for the past participle.
Fast Test
If there is no perfect/passive auxiliary and the clause is simple past, choose “arose”; if grammar requires a past participle, choose “arisen.”
Usage Boundary
The simple past is “arose”; the past participle is “arisen.” Keep this intransitive verb distinct from the separate verbs “rise” and “raise.”
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- ARISE Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster (opens in a new tab)Merriam-Webster · Merriam-Webster records arose as the simple past and arisen as the past participle of arise.
- ARISE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Cambridge records arose as the past tense and arisen as the past participle of arise.