What's the past tense of "speak"?
The simple past tense of speak is spoke, and the past participle is spoken. Use spoke for simple past and spoken for past participle forms.
Definition of speak
The Oxford English Dictionary defines speak as "to talk to somebody about something; to have a conversation with somebody." It's used in both literal communication and figurative expressions, from everyday conversations to formal presentations.
- The past tense of speak is spoke.
- The past participle of speak is spoken.
Verb forms of 'speak'
Is "speak" a regular or irregular verb?
The verb speak is irregular. Its past tense and past participle forms are spoke and spoken, not "speaked." This is a pattern shared with many English verbs that change their vowel sound in the past tense.
When to use "spoke" vs. "spoken"
She and I spoke this morning.
I've spoken with the manager about it.
The participle form of a verb (shown in the second sentence) uses the auxiliary verb have (in its contraction, I've). This indicates that the participle form is in use, not the simple past. The simple past doesn't use a helper verb since it's a complete tense, so spoke can stand alone in sentences, whereas participles require an auxiliary verb.
Similar irregular verbs
Sentence examples: speak, spoke, spoken
• Can I speak with you for a minute?
• The President refused to speak to reporters.
• Whenever he speaks in public, people listen carefully.
• I spoke at length with him last week.
• She spoke to me with a smile.
• He spoke to the group about his research findings.
• I've spoken to a number of people and they all agreed with me.
• They had spoken French.
• We've spoken about this many times before.
Synonyms & nearby words
Synonyms for speak
Nearby phrases
Practice: spoke or spoken
He ___ to the group about his research findings.
She has ___ with the principal about the school project.
If you ___ to her, she might help you solve the problem.
We had already ___ to the neighbors before moving in.
I will ___ to the manager tomorrow morning.
FAQs
What is the past tense of "speak"?
What is the past participle of "speak"?
When should I use "spoke"?
When should I use "spoken"?
Is "speak" a regular or irregular verb?
Sources
-
Oxford Learner's Dictionary. "speak." Oxford University Press. Date of access 13 Oct. 2025.
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Etymology Online. "speak (v.)." Date of access 13 Oct. 2025.
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