Put or Putted: What’s the Past Tense of Put? (With Examples)

The English language, while rich and expressive, can often present challenges, particularly when it comes to irregular verbs. One such verb that frequently trips up learners is “put.” The confusion typically arises from the fact that the past tense and past participle forms of “put” are identical to its base form.

Understanding the correct past tense of irregular verbs like “put” is crucial for effective communication in English. Many learners grapple with whether the past tense form is “put” or “putted.” This article provides a comprehensive guide to mastering the past tense of “put,” clarifying its forms, usage, and common pitfalls.

This article aims to dispel any ambiguity surrounding the past tense of “put,” providing clear explanations, examples, and exercises to solidify your understanding. By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to confidently use “put” in various tenses and contexts, avoiding common errors and enhancing your overall fluency.

Types of ‘Put’ and How To Use It

While the form of “put” remains consistent across tenses, its usage varies depending on the context and the presence of prepositions. Understanding these variations is key to mastering the verb.

‘Put’ with Prepositions

The verb “put” often combines with prepositions to form phrasal verbs, which have meanings that differ from the individual words. For example, “put off” means to postpone, “put on” means to wear or deceive, and “put up with” means to tolerate.

These phrasal verbs add complexity and nuance to the usage of “put.”

‘Put’ in Idiomatic Expressions

“Put” also appears in numerous idiomatic expressions, which are phrases with figurative meanings. Examples include “put someone in their place,” “put your foot down,” and “put two and two together.” These expressions enrich the English language and provide colorful ways to convey ideas.

Understanding these idioms requires learning their specific meanings and contexts.

Examples of ‘Put’ in Different Tenses

To solidify your understanding, let’s examine examples of “put” in various tenses and contexts. Paying attention to the sentence structure and auxiliary verbs will help you distinguish between the different forms.

Simple Present Tense

The simple present tense describes habitual actions or general truths. Here are some examples of “put” in the simple present tense.

The following table shows 30 examples of the verb “put” in the simple present tense. Notice how the verb form remains consistent, but the meaning varies depending on the context.

Sentence	Explanation
I put my keys on the table every day.	Describes a daily habit.
You put too much sugar in your coffee.	Expresses a recurring action or observation.
He puts his heart and soul into his work.	Describes a consistent effort.
She puts on her makeup before leaving the house.	Indicates a regular routine.
It puts a smile on my face.	Describes a general effect.
We put our trust in our friends.	Expresses a common belief or action.
They put their differences aside.	Describes a recurring decision or action.
The cat puts its paws on the window.	Indicates a typical behavior.
The company puts a lot of effort into marketing.	Describes a consistent business practice.
The chef puts fresh herbs in the soup.	Indicates a regular cooking method.
I always put the milk back in the fridge.	A consistent habit.
You put everyone else’s needs before your own.	Describes a characteristic behavior.
He puts a lot of pressure on himself.	Indicates a recurring situation.
She puts her children to bed early.	Describes a regular routine.
It puts me in a difficult position.	Expresses a general effect.
We put our faith in the system.	Describes a common belief.
They put their money in the bank.	Indicates a regular action.
The dog puts his toys in his bed.	Describes a typical behavior.
The store puts items on sale every week.	Describes a consistent business practice.
The artist puts a lot of detail into her paintings.	Indicates a regular artistic method.
I put my phone on silent during meetings.	A consistent habit.
You put a lot of thought into your decisions.	Describes a characteristic behavior.
He puts his skills to good use.	Indicates a recurring situation.
She puts her heart into everything she does.	Describes a regular approach to tasks.
It puts everything into perspective.	Expresses a general effect.
We put our trust in the experts.	Describes a common belief.
They put their energy into community projects.	Indicates a regular action.
The bird puts its nest in the tree.	Describes a typical behavior.
The library puts new books on display.	Describes a consistent practice.
The musician puts a lot of feeling into his music.	Indicates a regular artistic method.

Simple Past Tense

The simple past tense describes actions completed in the past. Remember that the past tense of “put” is also “put.”

The following table contains 30 examples of the verb “put” in the simple past tense. Notice how the verb form remains the same as the base form, but the context indicates past action.

Sentence	Explanation
I put the book on the shelf yesterday.	Describes a completed action in the past.
You put the keys in your pocket.	Indicates a past action.
He put his coat on before leaving.	Describes an action completed before another.
She put the baby to bed an hour ago.	Indicates a specific time in the past.
It put me in a difficult situation last week.	Describes a past event.
We put our faith in him.	Indicates a past belief or decision.
They put all their efforts into the project.	Describes a past commitment.
The cat put its paws on my lap.	Indicates a past action by the cat.
The company put out a press release.	Describes a past announcement.
The chef put the finishing touches on the dish.	Indicates a past action in cooking.
I put my phone on silent during the movie.	Describes a completed action in the past.
You put a lot of thought into that gift.	Indicates a past action.
He put his trust in the wrong person.	Describes an action completed before another.
She put the groceries away after shopping.	Indicates a specific time in the past.
It put a strain on our relationship.	Describes a past event.
We put our differences aside for peace.	Indicates a past belief or decision.
They put their money in a savings account.	Describes a past commitment.
The dog put his head on my knee.	Indicates a past action by the dog.
The store put up decorations for the holiday.	Describes a past announcement.
The artist put the final brushstroke on the painting.	Indicates a past action in cooking.
I put the kettle on for tea.	Describes a completed action in the past.
You put me in an awkward position.	Indicates a past action.
He put his foot down about the issue.	Describes an action completed before another.
She put on her best dress for the party.	Indicates a specific time in the past.
It put my mind at ease.	Describes a past event.
We put our plan into action.	Indicates a past belief or decision.
They put their names on the waiting list.	Describes a past commitment.
The bird put its eggs in the nest.	Indicates a past action by the bird.
The museum put on a new exhibit.	Describes a past announcement.
The writer put his thoughts into words.	Indicates a past action in writing.

Past Participle

The past participle is used with auxiliary verbs to form perfect tenses (present perfect, past perfect, future perfect). Again, the past participle of “put” is “put.”

The following table showcases 30 examples of the past participle “put” used in various perfect tenses. Note the presence of auxiliary verbs like “have,” “had,” and “will have” to indicate the tense.

Sentence	Explanation
I have put the dishes in the dishwasher.	Present perfect tense, completed action.
You have put a lot of effort into this project.	Present perfect tense, emphasis on the result.
He had put his keys somewhere safe.	Past perfect tense, action completed before another past action.
She had put the baby to sleep before the guests arrived.	Past perfect tense, completed action before another past event.
It has put a strain on our resources.	Present perfect tense, ongoing effect.
We have put our trust in the new system.	Present perfect tense, current state of trust.
They had put all their savings into the business.	Past perfect tense, action completed before a specific time.
The cat has put its mark on the new furniture.	Present perfect tense, recent action with a visible result.
The company has put out several new products this year.	Present perfect tense, actions completed within a time period.
The chef had put the sauce on to simmer hours before.	Past perfect tense, action completed long before another.
I have put my phone on silent.	Present perfect tense, completed action.
You have put everyone at ease.	Present perfect tense, emphasis on the result.
He had put his affairs in order before the trip.	Past perfect tense, action completed before another past action.
She had put the letter in the mailbox.	Past perfect tense, completed action before another past event.
It has put a damper on our plans.	Present perfect tense, ongoing effect.
We have put our heart and soul into this.	Present perfect tense, current state of effort.
They had put their differences aside.	Past perfect tense, action completed before a specific time.
The dog has put his toys away.	Present perfect tense, recent action with a visible result.
The store has put up signs for the sale.	Present perfect tense, actions completed within a time period.
The artist had put the finishing touches on the sculpture.	Past perfect tense, action completed long before another.
I will have put the documents in order by tomorrow.	Future perfect tense, action completed by a future time.
You will have put everyone’s mind at ease with your speech.	Future perfect tense, completed by a certain time in the future.
He will have put the children to bed by the time we arrive.	Future perfect tense, completed by a certain time in the future.
She will have put the groceries away before the delivery arrives.	Future perfect tense, completed by a certain time in the future.
It will have put a smile on their face to receive the gift.	Future perfect tense, completed by a certain time in the future.
We will have put our full effort into the project before the deadline.	Future perfect tense, completed by a certain time in the future.
They will have put their savings into a new house by next year.	Future perfect tense, completed by a certain time in the future.
The cat will have put its paws all over the clean floor by then.	Future perfect tense, completed by a certain time in the future.
The company will have put out their earnings report by the end of the month.	Future perfect tense, completed by a certain time in the future.
The chef will have put the final garnish on the dish before serving it.	Future perfect tense, completed by a certain time in the future.

Usage Rules for ‘Put’

The primary rule to remember is that the base form, past tense, and past participle of “put” are all the same: “put.” However, understanding how to use “put” correctly requires more than just knowing its forms. Context and auxiliary verbs are key to determining the tense.

Correct Usage in Sentences

To use “put” correctly, pay attention to the surrounding words and the overall meaning of the sentence. If the sentence describes a past action without an auxiliary verb, “put” is in the simple past tense.

If the sentence uses an auxiliary verb like “have,” “had,” or “will have,” “put” is in the past participle form, indicating a perfect tense.

Common Phrases and Idioms

Familiarize yourself with common phrases and idioms that use “put.” These expressions often have specific meanings that cannot be deduced from the individual words. For example, “put up with” means to tolerate, and “put off” means to postpone.

Learning these phrases will enhance your vocabulary and improve your fluency.

Common Mistakes

One of the most common mistakes is assuming that the past tense of “put” is “putted.” This is incorrect. The correct past tense form is “put.” Another frequent error involves misusing “put” with prepositions, creating incorrect phrasal verbs.

For example, saying “put on with” instead of “put up with” is a common mistake.

Correct vs. Incorrect Examples

Here are some examples to illustrate the correct and incorrect usage of “put”:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
I putted the book on the table.	I put the book on the table.	“Putted” is not a valid past tense form.
She has putted the keys in her bag.	She has put the keys in her bag.	The past participle is “put,” not “putted.”
He put on with the noise.	He put up with the noise.	The correct phrasal verb is “put up with.”
They put off of the meeting.	They put off the meeting.	The correct phrasal verb is “put off.”
I had putted my jacket on.	I had put my jacket on.	“Putted” is not a valid past participle form.
She put off with his behavior.	She put up with his behavior.	“Put up with” is the correct idiom.
He putted the blame on me.	He put the blame on me.	“Putted” is not a valid past tense form.
They have putted a lot of effort in.	They have put a lot of effort in.	“Putted” is not the correct past participle.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding with these practice exercises. Choose the correct form of “put” for each sentence.

Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Form

Select the correct form of the verb “put” to complete each sentence.

Question	Options	Answer
Yesterday, I ______ the letter in the mailbox.	a) put b) putted c) putting	a) put
She has ______ a lot of effort into her studies.	a) put b) putted c) putting	a) put
He always ______ his keys on the counter.	a) put b) putted c) putting	a) put
They ______ off the meeting until next week.	a) put b) putted c) putting	a) put
We had ______ our trust in the wrong person.	a) put b) putted c) putting	a) put
The cat ______ its paws on the window.	a) put b) putted c) putting	a) put
I will have ______ the groceries away by the time you get home.	a) put b) putted c) putting	a) put
You ______ me in an awkward situation.	a) put b) putted c) putting	a) put
She ______ her heart and soul into her work.	a) put b) putted c) putting	a) put
It ______ a smile on my face.	a) put b) putted c) putting	a) put

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “put” (put, have put, had put).

Question	Answer
I ______ my keys on the table this morning.	put
She ______ a lot of time into this project.	has put
He ______ his coat on before leaving.	put
They ______ their differences aside.	put
We ______ our faith in the system.	put
I ______ my phone on silent before the meeting started.	put
She ______ hours into perfecting her presentation.	has put
He ______ the blame on his colleague unfairly.	put
They ______ their money in a high-yield savings account.	put
We ______ our trust in the wrong information.	put

Exercise 3: Sentence Correction

Correct the sentences that use the incorrect form of “put.” If the sentence is correct, write “Correct.”

Question	Answer
I putted the book back on the shelf.	I put the book back on the shelf.
She has putted a lot of effort into this.	She has put a lot of effort into this.
He put his heart into his work.	Correct
They putted off the meeting.	They put off the meeting.
We had putted our trust in him.	We had put our trust in him.
I put my phone on silent.	Correct
She has putted a lot of thought into this gift.	She has put a lot of thought into this gift.
He putted his foot down about the issue.	He put his foot down about the issue.
They have putted their names on the list.	They have put their names on the list.
We put our plan into action.	Correct

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, exploring the nuances of “put” in complex sentence structures and idiomatic expressions can further refine their understanding. This includes analyzing sentences with multiple clauses and understanding the subtle differences between various phrasal verbs using “put.”

‘Put’ in Complex Sentences

In complex sentences, “put” may appear in different clauses, each with its own tense and meaning. Understanding how these clauses interact and how “put” functions within each is essential for advanced comprehension.

For example: “After she had put the children to bed, she put on her headphones and started working.”

Subtle Differences in Phrasal Verbs

Many phrasal verbs with “put” have similar meanings, but their usage can differ slightly depending on the context. For example, “put down” can mean to write something down or to insult someone.

Recognizing these subtle differences requires careful attention to the specific situation and the intended meaning.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about the past tense of “put”:

Is “putted” ever a correct form of “put”?No, “putted” is never a correct form of the verb “put.” The past tense and past participle of “put” are always “put,” regardless of the context.
How can I tell if “put” is in the past tense?You can determine if “put” is in the past tense by looking at the context of the sentence. If the sentence describes an action that occurred in the past and there are no auxiliary verbs (like “have,” “has,” or “had”), then “put” is in the simple past tense. Time adverbs like “yesterday,” “last week,” or “ago” can also indicate past tense.
What are some common phrasal verbs that use “put”?Some common phrasal verbs with “put” include “put on” (to wear or to deceive), “put off” (to postpone), “put up with” (to tolerate), “put down” (to write or to insult), and “put out” (to extinguish or to publish). Each of these has a distinct meaning that differs from the literal meaning of “put.”
How do I use “put” in the present perfect tense?To use “put” in the present perfect tense, combine the auxiliary verb “have” or “has” with the past participle “put.” For example, “I have put the keys in my bag” or “She has put a lot of effort into this project.”
How do I use “put” in the past perfect tense?To use “put” in the past perfect tense, combine the auxiliary verb “had” with the past participle “put.” For example, “I had put the keys in my bag before I left” or “She had put a lot of effort into the project before the deadline.”
Can “put” be used in the continuous tenses (e.g., present continuous, past continuous)?Yes, “put” can be used in continuous tenses, but it requires the “-ing” form: “putting.” For example, “I am putting the dishes away” (present continuous) or “She was putting her coat on when the phone rang” (past continuous).
What’s the difference between “put on” meaning ‘to wear’ and ‘to deceive’?The meaning of “put on” depends on the context. When it means ‘to wear,’ it refers to the act of placing clothing on your body, e.g., “She put on her coat.” When it means ‘to deceive,’ it refers to trying to trick someone, e.g., “He was putting me on about winning the lottery.”
How can I improve my usage of “put” in different tenses?The best way to improve your usage of “put” is through practice. Try writing sentences using “put” in different tenses and contexts. Pay attention to the auxiliary verbs and the overall meaning of the sentence. Reading and listening to native English speakers can also help you internalize the correct usage of “put.”

Conclusion

Mastering the past tense of “put” is a significant step towards achieving fluency in English. By understanding that the base form, past tense, and past participle of “put” are all the same, and by paying attention to context and auxiliary verbs, you can confidently use “put” in various tenses.

Remember to avoid the common mistake of using “putted” and familiarize yourself with phrasal verbs and idiomatic expressions that include “put.” Continue practicing, and you will soon find that using “put” correctly becomes second nature.

Put or Putted: What’s the Past Tense of Put? (With Examples)