English UsageComparison guide

Broadcast vs. Broadcasted

“Broadcast” can serve as present, past, and participial form, but “broadcasted” is also recorded by Merriam-Webster. This is therefore a variant-form choice, not a rule that only one spelling can ever be correct.

Quick answer

“Broadcast” is standard as an unchanged past form, and “broadcasted” is also a recorded variant.

Key details

Confusion Familyinflection variant
Rule Familyverb forms
Termsbroadcast, broadcasted
Variant ScopeMerriam-Webster records broadcast and also broadcasted as inflected forms.

Further guidance

Core difference

“Broadcast” is standard as an unchanged past form, and “broadcasted” is also a recorded variant.

Fast Test

Do not mark “broadcasted” wrong solely because “broadcast” can be past tense; check whether your publication or audience has a preferred form.

Style Boundary

The unchanged form is especially familiar for radio, television, and transmitted content; the regularized form is still documented, so house style and natural usage can decide when both fit.

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.

  1. BROADCAST — Merriam-Webster (opens in a new tab)Merriam-Webster · Direct dictionary evidence that broadcast and broadcasted are recorded verb forms

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