How to Use Swore vs. Sworn (Irregular Verb Conjugations)

First published on March 7, 2023 by Dalia Y.|Last revised on January 15, 2025

Swore is the simple past tense, whereas sworn is the past participle form of the present tense verb, swear.

How to Use Swore vs. Sworn (Irregular Verb Conjugations)

What's the past tense of "swear"?

The simple past tense of swear is swore, and the past participle is sworn. Use swore for simple past tense and sworn for past participle forms.

Definition of swear

The Oxford English Dictionary defines swear as "to make a solemn declaration or affirmation by some sacred being or object, as a deity or the Bible; to promise solemnly; to use profane or obscene language." It has two main meanings: making a serious promise or oath, and using offensive language.

The past tense of swear is swore.

The past participle of swear is sworn.

Verb forms of 'swear'

Simple Cont. Perfect Perfect Cont.

Present

I/you/they swear • He/she/it swears

Past

I/you/they swore • He/she/it swore

Future

I/you/they will swear • He/she/it will swear

Present

I am/you are swearing • He/she/it is swearing

Past

I was/you were swearing • He/she/it was swearing

Future

I/you will be swearing • He/she/it will be swearing

Present

I/you have sworn • He/she/it has sworn

Past

I/you had sworn • He/she/it had sworn

Future

I/you will have sworn • He/she/it will have sworn

Present

I have been swearing • He/she/it has been swearing

Past

I had been swearing • He/she/it had been swearing

Future

I will have been swearing • He/she/it will have been swearing

Is "swear" a regular or irregular verb?

Answer: Swear is an irregular verb— its past tense is swore and past participle is sworn.

Note: Regular verbs end in -ed in the past tense. Any other verb ending is considered irregular.

While an irregular verb, 'swear' follows a common pattern where the past tense and past participle are different forms. Similar to other verbs like break/broke/broken, speak/spoke/spoken, and steal/stole/stolen, swear uses distinct forms for past tense and past participle.

When to use "swore" vs. "sworn"

You swore not to say anything.

She had sworn he looked familiar.

The verb swear uses different forms for simple past tense and past participle. When used as a participle (shown in the second sentence), 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 swore can stand alone in sentences, whereas participles require an auxiliary verb.

Similar irregular verbs

Like swear, these verbs follow the same pattern where the past tense and past participle are different forms.

swear

Past: swore

Past part: sworn

Sentence examples: swear, swore, sworn

Swear (present tense)

• It's wrong to yell and swear.

• He swears to tell the whole truth.

• I swear I'm telling you everything I know.

Swore (past simple)

• I fell over and swore not realizing the kids were listening.

• They swore they'd be back by evening.

• We swore we had nothing to do with it!

Sworn (present or past perfect)

• They have sworn not to share his secret with anyone.

• I'd sworn to have this project finished by end of week.

• The witness had sworn under oath to tell the truth.

Synonyms & nearby words

Synonyms for swear

promise pledge vow affirm declare assert curse cuss

Nearby phrases

swear by swear off swear in swear to swear up and down swear like a sailor pinkie swear swear on one's grave

Common phrases with "swear"

to swear by

To believe strongly in something or someone, and have faith in them.

to swear off [something or someone]

To promise to stop doing something or to avoid something that is considered harmful or negative.

to swear like a sailor

To use profanity or curse words excessively and loudly.

to swear in [or be sworn in]

To administer an oath to someone as part of a formal ceremony to confirm their appointment or election to a position.

to swear up and down

To swear or affirm something with great emphasis or conviction, often in the face of doubt or skepticism.

to swear one to secrecy

To make someone promise to keep information secret or confidential.

to swear out a warrant

To file a legal or judicial claim against someone or something.

to pinkie swear

A playful way of saying you promise to tell the truth or keep a secret.

to swear on one's grave

To solemnly pledge to be telling the truth.

Sources

Oxford English Dictionary. "swear, v." OED Online. Oxford University Press. Date of access 15 Jan. 2025.
Cambridge Dictionary. "swear." Cambridge University Press. Date of access 15 Jan. 2025.

Origin of the verb swear

Proto-Germanic, swērjanan* (uncertain origin, perhaps from PIE swer- "to speak, talk, say"). The word evolved through Old English swerian meaning "to take an oath, make a solemn declaration."

Practice: "Swear" conjugations

FAQs

What's the simple past tense of "swear"?

The simple past tense of "swear" is "swore."

What's the past participle of "swear"?

The past participle of "swear" is "sworn."

When do I use "swore" vs. "sworn"?

Use "swore" for simple past tense (e.g., "She swore she'd never seen him before"). Use "sworn" with auxiliary verbs like "have" or "had" in perfect tenses (e.g., "They have sworn to keep the secret").

What does "swear" mean?

"Swear" has two main meanings: 1) to use rude or offensive language, usually because you're angry; 2) to promise to do something in a serious way, synonymous with words like "pledge" or "assure."

Is "swear" a regular or irregular verb?

"Swear" is an irregular verb; its past forms are not made by adding -ed. The past tense is "swore" and the past participle is "sworn."

What are some common phrases with "swear"?

Examples include "swear by," "swear off," "swear in," "swear up and down," "swear like a sailor," and "pinkie swear."

Sources

Oxford English Dictionary. "swear, v." OED Online. Oxford University Press. Date of access 15 Jan. 2025.
Cambridge Dictionary. "swear." Cambridge University Press. Date of access 15 Jan. 2025.