How to Use Shoot or Shot (Irregular Verb Forms)

It’s irregular. The verb drops an “o” in its past forms to become shot. Because shot is used for both the simple past and the past participle, it does not take the regular -ed ending.

When to use shoot vs shot

Simple past: He shot an arrow into the target.

Past participle: He had shot dozens of photos before sunset.

The participle appears with an auxiliary verb like have/has/had. The simple past does not use a helper verb.

Similar irregular verbs

These verbs share the irregular pattern of changing form in the past (without -ed), and many use the same word for both past simple and past participle.

shoot

Past:shot

Past part:shot

sit

Past:sat

Past part:sat

Sentence examples: shoot, shot, shot

Shoot (present tense)

• They shoot this show in Toronto.

• He shoots from the three-point line.

Shot (past simple)

• Accidentally, he shot himself in the foot.

• The film was shot in just three weeks.

Shot (past participle)

• I had shot the movie in black and white.

• They had been shot in the back while trying to escape.

FAQs

What is the past tense of the verb “shoot”?

The past tense and past participle of shoot is shot. Use it for simple past (He shot) and with auxiliaries for perfect tenses (has/had shot).

Is “shoot” a regular or irregular verb?

Irregular. Its past forms drop the “o” to make shot, rather than taking -ed.

Is “shooted” correct?

No. The correct past form is shot.

How do I use “shot” as a past participle?

Combine it with auxiliaries like have/had: “He had shot hundreds of photos.”

Sources

Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries. “shoot.” Accessed Oct 15, 2025. https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/
Online Etymology Dictionary. “shoot (v.).” Accessed Oct 15, 2025. https://www.etymonline.com/