Sprang vs. Sprung
“Sprang” and “sprung” are forms of the irregular verb “spring.” Oxford lists “sprang” as the standard past simple, “sprung” as the past participle, and also records “sprung” as a North American past-simple variant.
Use “sprang” as the standard past-simple form and “sprung” as the past participle. Oxford also records “sprung” as a North American past-simple variant.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Grammar / region | Form | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| standard simple past | sprang | Use the usual past-simple form. |
| past participle after have/has/had | sprung | Use the participle. |
| North American simple-past variant | sprung | This regional past form is also documented. |
Quick tests
Tense and region test
Is the word a past participle, especially after have/has/had?
If yes: Use “sprung.”
If no: Use “sprang” for the usual simple past; North American English also documents simple-past “sprung.”
Caveat: Because “sprung” can also be a North American simple-past variant, the auxiliary test is more reliable than assuming every standalone “sprung” is wrong.
Examples
The cat sprang onto the chair.
“Sprang” is the standard simple-past form.
The latch had sprung open.
After “had,” “sprung” is the past participle.
In North American English, “The cat sprung onto the chair” uses a documented past-simple variant.
Oxford records “sprung” as a North American past-simple form as well as the participle.
Further guidance
Core difference
“Sprang” is the standard past-simple form of “spring”; “sprung” is the past participle. Oxford also records “sprung” as a North American past-simple variant.
Fast Test
After have, has, or had, use “sprung.” For simple past, “sprang” is the standard form; “sprung” also occurs as a North American past-tense variant.
Variant Boundary
Do not mark every simple-past use of “sprung” as an error: Oxford records it as a North American English past-simple variant.
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.
- spring verb — Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Oxford University Press · Direct dictionary evidence for spring / sprang / sprung forms, including the North American past-tense variant sprung