Swelled vs. Swollen
Use “swelled” for the simple past. In perfect or passive-style participial uses, both “swelled” and “swollen” are recorded, while “swollen” is especially familiar for an enlarged state. Do not use “swollen” as the ordinary simple-past form: the dictionary inflection distinguishes simple past “swelled” from the participial alternatives.
Use “swelled” for the simple past. In perfect or passive-style participial uses, both “swelled” and “swollen” are recorded, while “swollen” is especially familiar for an enlarged state.
Key details
Further guidance
Core difference
Use “swelled” for the simple past. In perfect or passive-style participial uses, both “swelled” and “swollen” are recorded, while “swollen” is especially familiar for an enlarged state.
Fast Test
For a simple past event, choose “swelled.” For a participle, check the construction and intended idiom rather than forcing one form everywhere.
Usage Boundary
Do not use “swollen” as the ordinary simple-past form: the dictionary inflection distinguishes simple past “swelled” from the participial alternatives.
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.
- Swell — Merriam-Webster (opens in a new tab)Merriam-Webster · Dictionary evidence that swell has past swelled and past participles swelled or swollen.