Past Tense of Build
“Build” follows the pattern build → built → built. The same inflected form serves a finite simple-past clause and a past-participle construction; surrounding grammar identifies the role. The ordinary irregular paradigm is build → built → built; do not infer an unreviewed regular past form.
The simple past and past participle of “build” are both “built.”
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| completed action in simple past | built | Use “built.” |
| past participle after have/has/had | built | Use “built.” |
| present/base-form context | build | Use “build” when a past form is not required. |
Quick tests
Verb-form test
Do you need the simple past or past participle of “build”?
If yes: Use “built.”
If no: Use “build” or the appropriate present form when the sentence is not past.
Caveat: Both simple past and past participle are “built.” The ordinary irregular paradigm is build → built → built; do not infer an unreviewed regular past form.
Examples
They built the footbridge last summer.
“Built” is the simple past of “build.”
The team had built a working prototype by Friday.
“Built” is the past participle after “had.”
We build the frame before installing the panels.
The present form is “build.”
Further guidance
Core difference
Use “built” for both the simple past and the past participle.
Fast Test
If the sentence needs a past form or participle, choose “built”; use “build” or the appropriate present form in present-time contexts.
Usage Boundary
Both simple past and past participle are “built.” The ordinary irregular paradigm is build → built → built; do not infer an unreviewed regular past form.
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.
- BUILD Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster (opens in a new tab)Merriam-Webster · Merriam-Webster records built as the inflected past form of build.
- BUILD | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Cambridge records built as both the past tense and past participle of build.