Past Tense of Overthrow
“Overthrow” is irregular: overthrow → overthrew → overthrown. Use “overthrew” as the finite simple-past form and “overthrown” after auxiliaries such as have, has, or had, or in other participial constructions. The same irregular forms apply to the verb’s established senses, including removing from power and throwing past a target; noun “overthrow” is a separate grammatical role.
The simple past of “overthrow” is “overthrew.” Its past participle is “overthrown.”
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| completed action in simple past | overthrew | Use “overthrew.” |
| past participle after have/has/had | overthrown | Use “overthrown.” |
| present/base-form context | overthrow | Use “overthrow” 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 “overthrow”?
If yes: Use “overthrew.”
If no: If the construction requires a past participle, use “overthrown”; otherwise keep the appropriate present form.
Caveat: The simple past is “overthrew”; the past participle is “overthrown.” The same irregular forms apply to the verb’s established senses, including removing from power and throwing past a target; noun “overthrow” is a separate grammatical role.
Examples
The rebels overthrew the government.
“Overthrew” is the simple past.
The regime had been overthrown before the election.
“Overthrown” is the past participle in a passive perfect construction.
They threatened to overthrow the leadership.
The base form remains “overthrow.”
Further guidance
Core difference
Use “overthrew” for simple past and “overthrown” for the past participle.
Fast Test
If there is no perfect/passive auxiliary and the clause is simple past, choose “overthrew”; if grammar requires a past participle, choose “overthrown.”
Usage Boundary
The simple past is “overthrew”; the past participle is “overthrown.” The same irregular forms apply to the verb’s established senses, including removing from power and throwing past a target; noun “overthrow” is a separate grammatical role.
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.
- OVERTHROW Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster (opens in a new tab)Merriam-Webster · Merriam-Webster records overthrew as the simple past and overthrown as the past participle of overthrow.
- OVERTHROW | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Cambridge records overthrew as the past tense and overthrown as the past participle of overthrow.