The past tense of sweat in most cases is sweated, although some dictionaries also allow sweat.
Sweat is a verb and noun, both of which refer to the bodily function of perspiration. As a verb sweat sometimes also describes any process that releases water from an object (e.g., “First, sweat the onions and garlic in a pan”). It can have a negative connotation when used figuratively (e.g., “The river sweats oil and tar” from T. S. Eliot’s The Waste Land).
Because sweat is associated with strenuous exercise, it has come to be a synonym for hard, sustained effort even when there is no actual perspiration (e.g., “You’ll have to sweat it out to pass your exams”).
Past tense of sweat in a sentence examplesThe riders sweated their way through the hottest day of the year.
Everyone was nervous and sweated as they waited for their results.
I admired Gill for the way she really sweated her exams.
The simple past tense is used to describe actions that have taken place in the past (e.g., “Phil chose the most expensive dish on the menu”). The past participle is used for the perfect tenses and the passive voice (e.g., “They had been chosen for the team, and that was all that mattered”).
Past tense of choose in a sentence examplesI was so glad we chose to stay in that day and avoid the terrible storm.
Stella had chosen, and she wasn’t one for changing her mind too easily.
As the saying goes, “Many are called, few are chosen.”
The simple past tense form and past participle of the verbmeet is met.
Meet has several meanings, including “come together with someone” (e.g., “We met at the café”) and “achieve something” (e.g., “The targets were met by the sales team”).
Past tense of meet in a sentence examplesYesterday, the board met to discuss appointing a new CEO.
By the time you read this, I will have met my future in-laws!
Gabi was delighted because she had met her annual targets yet again.
Draw is an irregular verb with a number of different meanings. One of the most common meanings is “make a picture of” (e.g., “Elise drew the west facade of Notre Dame from memory”).
Past tense of draw in a sentence examples
Meaning
Example
Make a picture of
The portraits Eric drew were breathtaking.
Move or pull
Brent drew his chair closer to the fire because he was cold.
Open or close
Sylvia drew the drapes to let the sun in.
Deploy a weapon
The masked attacker drew a fearsome-looking knife.
Breathe
Sonia paused, drew a deep breath, and started her routine.
Drink is an irregular verb. Its simple past tense is drank, and the past participle is drunk. They are often confused in everyday speech, and you will encounter both words used for both purposes. In academic writing, however, it is important to use them correctly.
Past tense of drink in a sentence examples
Simple past of drink
Past participle of drink
The horse must have been thirsty, as she drank for nearly five minutes straight!
I had never drunk a better-tasting lemonade in my life.
I couldn’t believe how much water I drank during the race.
All the punch had been drunk by the time I arrived.
NoteThe past tense of drink can be confusing, partly because drink is a noun, meaning “a liquid for consumption,” and drunk is also a noun (someone who is presently or frequently intoxicated). Not to mention, drunk is an adjective, meaning “intoxicated,” and is used interchangeably with drunken.
Word
Example
Drink (noun)
Homemade lemonade is Gabi’s favorite drink.
Drink (verb)
Be careful what you drink when you’re at the club.
Drunk (noun)
Sadly, Sam was known as the town drunk.
Drunk (verb)
I had drunk the last drop of water hours ago, and I was so thirsty.
Drunk (adjective)
Everyone seems to have a drunk uncle at their wedding.
Drunken (adjective)
The aftermath of the drunken party last night was not a pretty sight.
Seek, meaning “look for, search,” is an irregular verb, so it doesn’t follow the regular conjugation of adding “-ed” for the past tense. Instead, it changes to sought for both the simple past and past participle.
Seek followed by the infinitive of another verb can also mean “try” or “attempt.” The past tenses are the same (e.g., “Caitlin had sought to please everyone and had triumphed!”).
Past tense of seek in a sentence examplesOur forebears sought the best locations for their settlements, much to our benefit.
Although Sean had sought solutions to his computer problems, they had defeated him.
Every year, the top-selling toy had been sought by parents desperate to please their children.
The simple past tense and past participle of bring is brought. Bring is an irregular verb that means “cause something or someone to come with you from one place to another.” It can be something you carry, something that simply accompanies you, or something more abstract (e.g., “The thunderstorm brought cooler, cleaner air to the mountains”).
Bring can also mean “cause” or “make happen” (e.g., “The ceremony brought the event to a close”).
Some dictionaries recognize “brung” as a nonstandard form of the verb, but it should not be used in academic writing.
Past tense of bring in a sentence examplesJoel brought everything he needed for his week’s holiday in one small backpack.
The singer’s rousing finale had brought the crowd to its feet in rapture!
Nobody knew who had brought the cake, but everyone enjoyed it!
