How to Use Set or Setted? (Irregular Verbs)

What's the past tense of "set"?

The simple past tense of set is set, and the past participle is also set. The form "setted" is incorrect. Use set for both simple past and past participle forms.

Definition of set

The Oxford English Dictionary defines set as "to put (something or someone) in a particular place." It's used to describe placing, positioning, or establishing something in a specific location or state.

• The past tense of set is set.

• The past participle of set is set.

Verb forms of 'set'

Is "set" a regular or irregular verb?

The verb set is an irregular verb. Unlike regular verbs that add -ed to form the past tense, "set" remains unchanged in all its principal forms. This makes it part of a special category of irregular verbs that maintain the same form across present, past, and past participle conjugations.

When to use "set"

The verb "set" uses the same form for both simple past tense and present or past perfect), it requires an auxiliary verb like have, has, or had. The simple past doesn't use a helper verb since it's a complete tense, so set can stand alone in sentences, whereas participles require an auxiliary verb.

• She set a new world record for the high jump.

• The company has set a new sales target.

Sentence examples: set, set, set

Synonyms & nearby words

Origin of the verb/word, set

Middle English setten, from Old English settan (transitive) "cause to sit; make or cause to rest as on a seat; cause to be put, placed, or seated;" also "put in a definite place," also "arrange, fix adjust; fix or appoint (a time) for some affair or transaction," and "cause (thoughts, affections) to dwell on." This is from Proto-Germanic *(bi)satejanan "to cause to sit, set"

Practice: set conjugations

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