Blew vs. Blown
“Blew” and “blown” are different forms of the irregular verb “blow.” “Blew” is the simple past, while “blown” is the past participle used in perfect constructions.
Use “blew” for the simple past and “blown” as the past participle, especially after have/has/had.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| simple past of blow | blew | use “blew” |
| past participle after have/has/had or in a passive construction | blown | use “blown” |
Quick tests
Verb-form test
Do you need simple past or the past participle?
If yes: For a standalone past event, use “blew.”
If no: With a perfect auxiliary or passive construction, use “blown.”
Caveat: Other meanings and noun uses of “blow” do not change this verb-form distinction.
Examples
The wind blew the gate open.
“Blew” is the simple past.
The wind has blown the gate open twice this week.
“Blown” is the past participle after “has.”
The sign was blown down overnight.
The passive construction uses the past participle.
Further guidance
Core difference
“Blew” is the simple-past form of “blow”; “blown” 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 “blow,” choose “blown.” For a standalone finite past-tense verb, choose “blew.”
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.
- Blow — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Dictionary evidence for the irregular forms blow, blew, blown and their simple-past/past-participle roles.