Bit vs. Bitten
“Bit” and “bitten” are different forms of the irregular verb “bite.” “Bit” is the simple past, while “bitten” is the past participle used in perfect constructions.
Use “bit” for the simple past and “bitten” as the past participle, especially after have/has/had.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| simple past of bite | bit | use “bit” |
| past participle after have/has/had or in a passive construction | bitten | use “bitten” |
Quick tests
Verb-form test
Do you need the simple past or the past participle?
If yes: For a standalone past event, use “bit.”
If no: With a perfect auxiliary or passive construction, use “bitten.”
Caveat: This comparison concerns the verb forms of “bite,” not the noun “bit.”
Examples
The dog bit the toy yesterday.
“Bit” is the simple past.
The dog has bitten that toy before.
“Bitten” is the past participle after “has.”
The cable had been bitten through.
The passive perfect construction requires the past participle.
Further guidance
Core difference
“Bit” is the simple-past form of “bite”; “bitten” 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 “bite,” choose “bitten.” For a standalone finite past-tense verb, choose “bit.”
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.
- bite verb — Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Oxford University Press · Direct dictionary evidence for bite / bit / bitten verb forms