Past Tense of Stride
“Stride” is irregular: stride → strode → stridden. Use “strode” as the finite simple-past form and “stridden” after auxiliaries such as have, has, or had, or in other participial constructions. The reviewed authorities present “strode” as the simple past and “stridden” as the past participle; do not turn differences in dictionary display into an unsupported alternative-form rule.
The simple past of “stride” is “strode.” Its past participle is “stridden.”
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| completed action in simple past | strode | Use “strode.” |
| past participle after have/has/had | stridden | Use “stridden.” |
| present/base-form context | stride | Use “stride” 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 “stride”?
If yes: Use “strode.”
If no: If the construction requires a past participle, use “stridden”; otherwise keep the appropriate present form.
Caveat: The simple past is “strode”; the past participle is “stridden.” The reviewed authorities present “strode” as the simple past and “stridden” as the past participle; do not turn differences in dictionary display into an unsupported alternative-form rule.
Examples
He strode across the lobby without stopping.
“Strode” is the simple past.
She had stridden past the entrance before noticing the sign.
“Stridden” is the past participle after “had.”
They stride down the path every morning.
The present form is “stride.”
Further guidance
Core difference
Use “strode” for simple past and “stridden” for the past participle.
Fast Test
If there is no perfect/passive auxiliary and the clause is simple past, choose “strode”; if grammar requires a past participle, choose “stridden.”
Usage Boundary
The simple past is “strode”; the past participle is “stridden.” The reviewed authorities present “strode” as the simple past and “stridden” as the past participle; do not turn differences in dictionary display into an unsupported alternative-form rule.
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.
- STRIDE Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster (opens in a new tab)Merriam-Webster · Merriam-Webster records strode as the simple past and stridden as the past participle of stride.
- STRIDE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Cambridge records strode and stridden in the stride paradigm, with strode as the past form and stridden as a past participle form.