Chose vs. Chosen
“Chose” and “chosen” are different forms of the irregular verb “choose.” “Chose” is the simple past, while “chosen” is the past participle used in perfect constructions.
Use “chose” for the simple past and “chosen” as the past participle, especially after have/has/had.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| standalone simple past | chose | Use as the finite past-tense verb. |
| after have, has, or had | chosen | Use the past participle in perfect constructions. |
Quick tests
Auxiliary test
Does have, has, or had directly govern the form of “choose”?
If yes: Use “chosen.”
If no: For a standalone simple-past verb, use “chose.”
Examples
She chose the blue folder yesterday.
“Chose” carries the simple-past tense by itself.
She has chosen the blue folder.
“Chosen” is the past participle after “has.”
They had chosen before the deadline.
“Chosen” is also the participle after “had.”
Further guidance
Core difference
“Chose” is the simple-past form of “choose”; “chosen” 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 “choose,” choose “chosen.” For a standalone finite past-tense verb, choose “chose.”
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.
- Choose — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct verb-form evidence that choose has past tense chose and past participle chosen.