Past Tense of Sting
“Sting” follows the pattern sting → stung → stung. 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 “sting” and from sense-specific meaning questions; the reviewed verb inflection is the same across ordinary senses.
The simple past and past participle of “sting” are both “stung.”
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| completed action in simple past | stung | Use “stung.” |
| past participle after have/has/had | stung | Use “stung.” |
| present/base-form context | sting | Use “sting” when a past form is not required. |
Quick tests
Verb-form test
Do you need the simple past or past participle of “sting”?
If yes: Use “stung.”
If no: Use “sting” or the appropriate present form when the sentence is not past.
Caveat: Both simple past and past participle are “stung.” Keep the verb-form task distinct from the noun “sting” and from sense-specific meaning questions; the reviewed verb inflection is the same across ordinary senses.
Examples
A wasp stung her near the garden gate.
“Stung” is the simple past of “sting.”
He had been stung by the criticism before.
“Stung” is the past participle in a passive perfect construction.
These insects sting when disturbed.
The present form is “sting.”
Further guidance
Core difference
Use “stung” for both the simple past and the past participle.
Fast Test
If the sentence needs a past form or participle, choose “stung”; use “sting” or the appropriate present form in present-time contexts.
Usage Boundary
Both simple past and past participle are “stung.” Keep the verb-form task distinct from the noun “sting” and from sense-specific meaning questions; the reviewed verb inflection is the same across ordinary senses.
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.
- STING Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster (opens in a new tab)Merriam-Webster · Merriam-Webster records stung as the inflected past form of sting.
- STING | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Cambridge records stung as both the past tense and past participle of sting.