Past Tense of Fling
“Fling” follows the pattern fling → flung → flung. The same inflected form serves a finite simple-past clause and a past-participle construction; surrounding grammar identifies the role. Keep the verb-form task distinct from the noun “fling” and from sense-specific usage questions; the reviewed verb inflection is flung.
The simple past and past participle of “fling” are both “flung.”
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| completed action in simple past | flung | Use “flung.” |
| past participle after have/has/had | flung | Use “flung.” |
| present/base-form context | fling | Use “fling” when a past form is not required. |
Quick tests
Verb-form test
Do you need the simple past or past participle of “fling”?
If yes: Use “flung.”
If no: Use “fling” or the appropriate present form when the sentence is not past.
Caveat: Both simple past and past participle are “flung.” Keep the verb-form task distinct from the noun “fling” and from sense-specific usage questions; the reviewed verb inflection is flung.
Examples
She flung the blanket over the chair.
“Flung” is the simple past of “fling.”
The door had been flung open by the wind.
“Flung” is the past participle in a passive perfect construction.
They fling the practice balls back into the basket.
The present form is “fling.”
Further guidance
Core difference
Use “flung” for both the simple past and the past participle.
Fast Test
If the sentence needs a past form or participle, choose “flung”; use “fling” or the appropriate present form in present-time contexts.
Usage Boundary
Both simple past and past participle are “flung.” Keep the verb-form task distinct from the noun “fling” and from sense-specific usage questions; the reviewed verb inflection is flung.
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.
- FLING Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster (opens in a new tab)Merriam-Webster · Merriam-Webster records flung as the inflected past form of fling.
- FLING | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Cambridge records flung as both the past tense and past participle of fling.