What's the past tense of "forbid"?
The simple past tense of forbid is forbade (or forbad), and the past participle is forbidden. Use forbade for simple past and forbidden with auxiliary verbs like "have" or "had".
Definition of forbid
The Cambridge Dictionary defines forbid as "to command (a person) not to do something, have something, etc., or not to enter some place."
- The past tense of forbid is forbade (or forbad).
- The past participle of forbid is forbidden.
Verb forms of 'forbid'
Is "forbid" a regular or irregular verb?
Forbid is an irregular verb because it doesn't follow the standard pattern of adding "-ed" to form the past tense. Instead, it changes to forbade for the simple past and forbidden for the past participle, following a similar pattern to verbs like bid/bade/bidden.
When to use forbade vs. forbidden
My parents forbade me from attending the late-night party.
Photography had been forbidden in the museum for years.
The verb forbid uses different forms for simple past tense and present or past perfect), it requires an auxiliary verb like have, has, had, or been. The simple past doesn't use a helper verb since it's a complete tense, so forbade can stand alone in sentences, whereas participles require an auxiliary verb.
Similar irregular verbs
Sentence examples: forbid, forbade, forbidden
• I absolutely forbid you to tell anyone else this secret.
• The new company policy forbids the use of personal devices during work hours.
• The rules forbid parking in this area.
• Her parents forbade her to go to the concert on a school night.
• The ancient laws forbade the use of magic within the city walls.
• My parents forbade me from attending the late-night party.
• Entering the restricted area has been strictly forbidden by the authorities.
• Such behavior is absolutely forbidden in this establishment.
• Photography had been forbidden in the museum for years.
Synonyms & nearby words
Synonyms for forbid
Origin of the verb forbid
Old English forbeodan “forbid, prohibit” from for- “against” + beodan “to command”.
Worksheet: forbid conjugations
Her parents ______ her to go to the concert on a school night.
Entering the restricted area has been strictly ______ by the authorities.
The new company policy ______ the use of personal devices during work hours.
I absolutely ______ you to tell anyone else this secret.
The sign had a stark message, ______ anyone from entering the property.
FAQs
What is the simple past tense of forbid?
What is the past participle form of forbid?
How do I use 'forbade' correctly?
How do I use 'forbidden' correctly?
Is forbid a regular or irregular verb?
Sources
- Harper, Douglas. "Etymology of forbid." Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/forbid. Accessed 30 May, 2023.
Advertisement
.webp&w=3840&q=75)