Beat vs. Beaten
“Beat” and “beaten” are different forms of the irregular verb “beat.” “Beat” is the simple past, while “beaten” is the past participle used in perfect constructions.
Use “beat” for the simple past and “beaten” as the past participle, especially after have/has/had.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| simple past of the verb beat | beat | use “beat” |
| past participle after have/has/had or in a passive construction | beaten | use “beaten” |
Quick tests
Verb-form test
Do you need the simple past, or the past participle?
If yes: For simple past, use “beat.”
If no: For a perfect or passive construction, use “beaten.”
Caveat: “Beat” also serves as the base and present form; this comparison focuses on past vs. past participle.
Examples
Our team beat the previous record yesterday.
“Beat” is the simple past form.
Our team has beaten the previous record twice this year.
“Beaten” is the past participle after “has.”
The record was beaten in the final round.
The passive construction also uses the past participle.
Further guidance
Core difference
“Beat” is the simple-past form of “beat”; “beaten” is the past participle used with auxiliaries such as have, has, or had.
Fast Test
If have, has, or had directly governs the form of “beat,” choose “beaten.” For a standalone finite past-tense verb, choose “beat.”
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.
- beat verb — Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Oxford University Press · Direct dictionary evidence for beat / beat / beaten verb forms