How to Use Write Past Tense (Wrote vs Written)

What's the past tense of "write"?

The simple past tense of write is wrote, and the past participle is written. Use wrote for simple past tense and written for past participle forms.

Definition of write

The Oxford English Dictionary defines write as "to form letters, words, or symbols on a surface, typically paper, with a pen, pencil, or similar implement." It's an irregular verb that doesn't follow the standard "-ed" pattern for past tenses.

• The past tense of write is wrote.
• The past participle of write is written.

Verb forms of 'write'

Examples of 'write' in sentences

Here are some examples of how to use the different forms of write in sentences:

Simple Present

• I write in my journal every day.
• She writes beautiful poetry.

Simple Past

• I wrote a letter to my grandmother yesterday.
• He wrote the report last week.

Past Participle

• I have written three books this year.
• The letter was written in beautiful handwriting.

Present Perfect

• She has written over 100 articles for the magazine.
• We have written to the company about the issue.

Common mistakes with 'write'

Here are some common mistakes people make when using the verb write:

❌ Incorrect

• I writed a letter yesterday. (Should be "wrote")
• She has wrote the report. (Should be "written")
• I writed the essay last night. (Should be "wrote")

✅ Correct

• I wrote a letter yesterday.
• She has written the report.
• I wrote the essay last night.

Quiz: Test your knowledge

Choose the correct form of write for each sentence:

1. I _____ a novel last year.
   • write
   • wrote
   • written
2. She has _____ many articles.
   • write
   • wrote
   • written
3. They _____ letters to their friends.
   • write
   • wrote
   • written

Answers: 1. wrote, 2. written, 3. write

Summary

The verb write is irregular, with wrote as the simple past tense and written as the past participle. Remember that irregular verbs don't follow the standard "-ed" pattern, so it's important to memorize their forms. Practice using these forms in context to become more comfortable with them.