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The past tense of the verb **teach** is **taught**.
Table of Contents
The Definition of Teach
To teach is to impart knowledge to or instruct someone as to how to do something. It is an irregular verb, meaning it does not follow the standard rule of adding “-ed” to the end of the word to form the past tense.
Conjugation of Teach
Understanding how “teach” changes across different tenses is essential for proper English grammar. Here is a quick breakdown:
| Tense | Form |
|---|---|
| Infinitive | To teach |
| Simple Present | Teach / Teaches |
| Simple Past | Taught |
| Past Participle | Taught |
| Present Participle (Gerund) | Teaching |
Simple Past Tense: Taught
The simple past tense “taught” is used to describe an action of instruction that was completed in the past. It remains the same regardless of the subject (I, you, he, she, it, we, they).
Example: “Last year, Mr. Smith taught us algebra.”
Past Participle: Taught
The past participle of teach is also taught. This form is used in perfect tenses (like present perfect or past perfect) and in the passive voice. It is usually paired with auxiliary verbs like have, has, had, or was/were.
- Present Perfect: “I have taught English for ten years.”
- Past Perfect: “She had taught the lesson before the bell rang.”
- Passive Voice: “The children were taught how to swim by a professional.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A common error among English learners is the use of “teached.” Because many English verbs are regular, there is a temptation to add “-ed” to the end of the root word.
Incorrect: He teached me how to drive.
Correct: He taught me how to drive.
Another common confusion is between taught and thought. While they look similar, “thought” is the past tense of “think.”
Examples in Sentences
Here are more examples to help you see how “taught” is used in various contexts:
- “My grandmother taught me how to bake apple pie when I was a child.”
- “Experience has taught us to be more cautious.”
- “Who taught you how to play the guitar so well?”
- “The professor taught a very difficult seminar this morning.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “teached” a word?
No, “teached” is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. The only correct past tense form is “taught.”
What is the difference between “taught” and “thought”?
Taught is the past tense of “teach” (imparting knowledge). Thought is the past tense of “think” (using your mind). They are spelled differently and have completely different meanings.
Pro Tip: To remember the spelling of taught, think of other irregular verbs that end in “-aught,” such as catch (caught) and fight (fought – though spelled with an ‘o’).
Quick Practice
Fill in the blank: “She ________ (teach) the class yesterday.”
Answer: taught
