Wove vs. Woven
Use “wove” for the simple past of “weave” and “woven” as the past participle, especially after have/has/had. The guide distinguishes the finite past form from the participle in standard verb constructions.
Use “wove” for the simple past of “weave” and “woven” as the past participle, especially after have/has/had.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Context | Use | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| simple past of the ordinary interlacing sense of “weave” | wove | Use “wove” as the finite simple-past form. |
| past participle after have/has/had or in participial use | woven | Use “woven” where grammar requires the participle. |
| movement in and out through a route/obstacles | weaved can occur | The reviewed dictionary distinguishes this movement sense; do not force every past use into “wove/woven.” |
Quick tests
Decision test
Is the form a past participle, especially after have/has/had?
If yes: Use “woven.”
If no: For the ordinary simple past, use “wove”; check the separate movement sense where “weaved” is documented.
Caveat: The page distinguishes the ordinary irregular forms from the separately documented movement use of “weaved.”
Examples
She wove the cloth yesterday.
“Wove” is the simple past in the ordinary interlacing sense.
She has woven the cloth by hand.
“Woven” is the past participle after “has.”
The cyclist weaved through the cones.
The reviewed source distinguishes the movement-through-obstacles sense in which “weaved” occurs.
Further guidance
Core difference
“Wove” is the simple-past form of “weave”; “woven” is the past participle used with auxiliaries such as have, has, or had.
Fast Test
For a standalone past-tense verb, use “wove.” After have/has/had, use “woven.”
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.
- Weave — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Dictionary evidence distinguishing wove/woven from weaved, including the movement sense of “weave.”