What Is The Past Tense Of Build?
While the past tense of let or past tense of put stay the same as their base form, is it similar to build past tense?
This verb’s past participle and past tense are B-U-I-L-T (BUILT).
For other build verb forms, take a peek at GrammarWiki’s summary table.
Base/Infinitive Form (V1) | build |
Present Form/3rd Person/Singular Form | builds |
Past Form (V2) | built |
Past Participle Form (V3) | built |
Present Participle/Gerund | building |
How to pronounce “built” correctly? Don’t skip this clear and epic video! It will aid you more in using “built” appropriately and how to speak it:
Build In Past Tense: Pronunciation
Let the online Oxford Dictionary guide us to pronounce in both British and American English accents:
Verb Forms |
Pronunciation |
|
British English |
American English | |
build | /bɪld/ |
/bɪld/ |
builds |
/bɪldz/ | /bɪldz/ |
built(v2) | /bɪlt/ |
/bɪlt/ |
built(v3) |
/bɪlt/ | /bɪlt/ |
building | /ˈbɪldɪŋ/ |
/ˈbɪldɪŋ/ |
What Is The Meaning Of The Verb Build?
We’ve rounded up all definitions and corresponding examples for the verb “build.” Let’s take a closer look at them all:
- To make something, notably a construction or a building, by putting parts together.
- These participants built a stadium next to the old hospital.
- The government has built the youth culture house in the National University’s locality for one month.
2. To develop or create something.
- Our boss built a network of like-minded co-workers.
- They have built a system for better disease precautions inside the hospitals since 2012.
3. To grow stronger.
- The excitement and tension are built day by day.
- The challenges had been built since Thanksgiving, yet they found no way to sort them out.
Vocabulary Quiz: Choose The Correct Options
FAQs
Is Build Just A Verb?
No. In English grammar, “build” can act as a noun or a verb. When it’s a noun, it often refers to these meanings:
- How something, notably a film or story, evolves to the most exciting point.
- The style or form in which something is structured, particularly a vehicle.
- A version of the software is produced, notably one of a series generated before releasing the final one.
- The process of constructing something.
- The human body’s size and shape.
What Are Some Idioms Using Build?
- Build castles in the air: A dream or plan that is not likely to come true.
Example: The kid felt eager to do the quiz for his sister, yet finally, he figured out that he was building castles in the air. The quiz was so nerve-wracking.
2. Rome wasn’t built in a day: A complex task takes a long time and shouldn’t be rushed.
Example: Be mindful that tactics can’t be done in one day or two. Rome wasn’t built in a day!
Is “Had Been Built” Correct?
Yes, that’s right. “Built” is the past participle of “build.” It’s used correctly in the passive voice of “had been built.”

His name is Benjamin Essek – The founder of Grammar Wiki. He is an English native speaker and has joined many English classes, learning communities to support other people with this common language as well.