Teach Past Tense

Teach Past Forms - Exercises

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

Basic Rules for Using "Taught"

Examples:

• Present Tense: "I teach English at the local school."

• Past Tense: "I taught English at the local school last year."

In the past tense, "taught" is used to describe actions or events that happened before now, even if it was just a few minutes ago. Whether you taught for a short time or a long period, if it’s in the past, the correct form is "taught."

When to Use "Taught" in Sentences

Use "taught" in sentences to discuss:

1. Specific Time in the Past: Use "taught" when talking about when you taught in a particular past moment, like last year or last month.

"She taught math classes last semester."

2. Experience or Skills in the Past: Use "taught" to describe a skill you have shared or explained in the past.

"He taught me how to drive when I was 16."

3. Repeated Past Actions: Even for teaching activities you did more than once in the past, "taught" is still the right choice.

"They taught yoga classes every summer for five years."

Common Mistakes with "Taught"

Many students make a few errors when learning the past tense of "teach." Here are the most common ones and how to avoid them:

1. Using "teached" Instead of "taught": Since "teach" is irregular, "teached" is incorrect. The correct past tense is "taught."

• ❌ Incorrect: "She teached history."

• ✅ Correct: "She taught history."

2. Confusing "taught" with "thought": Because "taught" and "thought" sound similar, they can be mixed up. Remember, "taught" is from "teach" (explaining or showing), while "thought" is from "think" (having an idea).

• ❌ Incorrect: "I thought my little brother math."

• ✅ Correct: "I taught my little brother math."

3. Using "did taught": In negative or question forms, use "teach" after "did," not "taught."

• ❌ Incorrect: "Did you taught her?"

• ✅ Correct: "Did you teach her?"

Examples of "Taught" in Everyday English

In conversations, "taught" often comes up when people talk about past jobs, family experiences, or personal skills they've shared with others.

Examples in Everyday English:

• In Conversation: "Who taught you to cook?" "My grandmother taught me!"

• In Storytelling: "Last year, I taught in a small town, and it was a wonderful experience."

FAQ

What is the past tense of "teach"?

The past tense of "teach" is "taught."

Why don’t we say "teached"?

"Teach" is an irregular verb, meaning its past tense form doesn’t follow the regular "-ed" rule and changes to "taught."

Can "taught" be used in any type of past sentence?

Yes! Use "taught" in positive sentences, but use "did not teach" in negative sentences and "Did you teach?" in questions.

Is "taught" ever used as present tense?

No, "taught" is only used as the past tense of "teach." The present tense is always "teach."

How do you pronounce "taught"?

"Taught" is pronounced like "tot" /tɔːt/.