Past Tense of Make
The past tense of “make” is “made,” and “made” is also its past participle. Use it for both simple-past and perfect constructions.
Use “made” as both the past simple and past participle of “make.”
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| completed past action | made | Use “made” as the simple past. |
| perfect construction after have/has/had | made | Use “made” as the past participle. |
| present/base form | make / makes | Use the present form when the action is not expressed with a past form. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Do you need the simple past or past participle of “make”?
If yes: Use “made.”
If no: Use “make” or “makes” when the grammar calls for a present form.
Examples
They made dinner together last night.
“Made” is the simple past.
She has made a careful plan.
“Made” is also the past participle.
He makes coffee every morning.
The habitual present uses “makes.”
Further guidance
Core difference
The verb “make” changes to “made” in both the past simple and past participle.
Fast Test
Use “made” for a completed past action and after perfect auxiliaries: “she made,” “has made.”
Usage Boundary
Do not form the standard past as *maked*.
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.
- Make — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct verb-form evidence that “made” is the past simple and past participle of “make.”