What's the past tense of "sweep"?
The simple past tense of sweep is swept, and the past participle is also swept. Use swept for both simple past and past participle forms.
Definition of sweep
The Oxford English Dictionary defines sweep as "to clean (an area) by brushing away dirt or litter with a broom or brush." It's used in both literal and figurative senses, from cleaning floors to moving across areas quickly.
- The past tense of sweep is swept.
- The past participle of sweep is swept.
Verb forms of 'sweep'
Is 'sweep' a regular or irregular verb?
Irregular Past tense: swept
Sweep is an irregular verb. Its past tense and past participle are both swept, not "sweeped."
When to use 'swept' vs. 'swept'
Simple past: "I swept the floor yesterday."
Past participle: "I have swept the floor already."
Both forms use swept, but the auxiliary verb changes: simple past uses no auxiliary, while past participle requires have/has/had.
Similar irregular verbs
Sweep, swept in sentence examples
Present
I could hear them sweeping and cleaning from my room.
Don't sweep glass without protection.
Past
We were swept away by their hospitality.
We had swept and cleaned all morning, overwhelmed by the stress of my in-law's visiting.
Quotes from literature and media
Let us sweep, then, our past conference from our recollection.
Leaning against the railing, she impatiently swept off the snowy lemon leaves.
If the stakes he sweep.
Synonyms & Related Terms
Origin of the verb sweep
Early 14c., “make clean by sweeping with a broom;” mid-14c., “perform the act of sweeping,” of uncertain origin, perhaps from a past tense form of Middle English swope “sweep,” from Old English swapan “to sweep” (transitive & intransitive)
Worksheet: ‘sweep’ conjugations
She ______ the entire house before the guests arrived.
The new trend is ______ the nation, gaining popularity everywhere.
The janitor ______ the hallways every evening to keep them tidy.
The powerful storm had ______ away everything in its path.
Before you mop, please ______ the kitchen floor.
FAQs
Is "sweeped" the correct past tense form?
What is the past tense of "sweep"?
Why is "sweeped" considered a misspelling?
How do you use “swept” as a past participle?
Are there other past tense forms for "sweep"?
Sources
Advertisement
.webp&w=3840&q=75)