See Past Tense

Illustration of See Past Tense
The past tense of "see" is "saw."

See Past Forms - Exercises

These exercises test different forms of the verb SEE and IRREGULAR VERBS

 

Tense

Form

Example

Present

see

"I see a bird outside."

Past

saw

"I saw a bird yesterday."

Past Participle

seen

"I have seen that movie before."

How to Use "Saw" (Past Tense of See)

"Saw" is used to describe an action involving seeing that happened in the past. It’s a simple past form, so it does not require auxiliary verbs like "did" or "have."

  • Examples:

    • "She saw her friend at the park."

    • "We saw a rainbow after the rain."

    • "He saw the results and was surprised."

Common Mistakes with "See," "Saw," and "Seen"

Many English learners mix up "saw" (past tense) and "seen" (past participle). Here’s how to use them correctly:

  • See: Present tense

    Example: "I see a cat in the yard."

  • Saw: Past tense

    Example: "I saw a cat in the yard yesterday."

  • Seen: Past participle (used with have/has/had)

    Example: "I have seen that cat before."

Verb Form

Usage

Example

See

Present tense

"I see the stars tonight."

Saw

Simple past

"They saw the fireworks yesterday."

Seen

Past participle with have/has/had

"She has seen that play before."

Examples in Sentences

  • Describing Past Events:

    • "We saw an amazing sunset on vacation."

    • "He saw his teacher at the grocery store."

    • "They saw a shooting star last night."

FAQ

What is the past tense of "see"?

The past tense of "see" is "saw."

What’s the difference between "saw" and "seen"?

"Saw" is the simple past tense, while "seen" is the past participle used with "have/has/had."

Is "seed" a word?

No, "seed" is incorrect as a past tense form of "see." Use "saw" instead.

How do I use "seen" correctly?

"Seen" is used with "have/has/had" (e.g., "I have seen that show before").

Can I say "I have saw"?

No, the correct form is "I have seen."

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