Past Tense of Sling
“Sling” is irregular: sling → slung → slung. The same inflected form serves a finite simple-past clause and a past-participle construction; grammar and surrounding auxiliaries identify the role. This verb rule applies across ordinary throwing, hanging, and carrying senses; noun senses of “sling” are separate.
The simple past and past participle of “sling” are both “slung.”
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| completed action in simple past | slung | Use “slung.” |
| past participle after have/has/had | slung | Use “slung.” |
| present/base-form context | sling | Use “sling” when a past form is not required. |
Quick tests
Verb-form test
Do you need the simple past or past participle of “sling”?
If yes: Use “slung.”
If no: Use “sling” or the appropriate present form when the sentence is not past.
Caveat: Both simple past and past participle are “slung.” This verb rule applies across ordinary throwing, hanging, and carrying senses; noun senses of “sling” are separate.
Examples
She slung the bag over her shoulder.
“Slung” is the simple past.
The cable had been slung between the posts.
“Slung” is the participle in a passive perfect construction.
He slings his backpack onto the chair after class.
The present-tense form is “slings.”
Further guidance
Core difference
Use “slung” for both the simple past and the past participle.
Fast Test
If the sentence is past or requires a participle, choose “slung”; use “sling” or its present-tense form when the clause is present.
Usage Boundary
Both simple past and past participle are “slung.” This verb rule applies across ordinary throwing, hanging, and carrying senses; noun senses of “sling” are separate.
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.
- SLING Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster (opens in a new tab)Merriam-Webster · Merriam-Webster records slung as the inflected past form of sling.
- SLUNG | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Cambridge records slung as both the past tense and past participle of sling.