What Is The Past Tense Of Sing?
Converting an English verb to the past tense often follows a predictable pattern. This category of verbs is known as “regular verbs,” Their forms are altered by appending the ending “-ed” to the original forms of verbs.
However, sing is one of the few English verbs that deviate from this pattern. It is called an irregular verb, and not only language learners but also negative speakers usually confuse or misuse the past tense of those irregular verbs (such as the past tense of steal or shake).
So, what is the past tense for sing? Sung or sang?
The answer is “sang,” which is the simple past tense form, whereas sung is the past participle form.
To comprehend all verb forms of the verb “sing,” look at the below table:
| Form | Verb |
| Bare | sing |
| Present participle | singing |
| Third person singular | sings |
| Past | sang |
| Past participle | sung |
How Do You Spell The Word “Sing” In Past Tense?
The table below shows how to pronounce “shake” with British and American accents (vary from language to language).
The supplementary information we’ve supplied is drawn from the reliable online edition of the Oxford Dictionary of English.
|
Words |
Pronunciation |
|
|
British English |
American English | |
| sing | /sɪŋ/ |
/sɪŋ/ |
|
singing |
/ˈsɪŋɪŋ/ | /ˈsɪŋɪŋ/ |
| sings | /sɪŋz/ |
/sɪŋz/ |
|
sang |
/sæŋ/ | /sæŋ/ |
| sung | /sʌŋ/ |
/sʌŋ/ |
As you can see clearly, no difference is found in the way you pronounce the word “sing” in both British and American accents.
Additionally, you can watch this video to hear the exact pronunciation of all forms of the verb “sing.”
The Interpretation Of The Verb Sing And How To Use It Correctly
Comprehending a word’s meanings and understanding how to use it in each context can help you have effective and strong communication skills. Therefore, Let’s take a deeper look at what this verb means of the verb sing:
- To create melodies (musical sounds) in the sort of a song or pitch.
Example: The mother was singing sweetly to her infant.
2. To produce very high-pitched musical notes
Example: I was a fan of Adele because she can sing a high-pitched note which nobody else can do.
3. To produce a high-pitched, whistling-like sound.
Example: She had a feeling of faintness, and she heard singing in her brain from the blood.
Besides, four idioms come with the verb sing:
4. It’s not over until the fat lady sings: a phrase that is used to imply that something may still change, such as the fact that a competition, election, or other event has not yet come to a conclusion and someone else may still be able to win it.
Example: Although there are many who believe this team has already been defeated in the game, we all know that it’s not over until the fat lady sings!
5. Sing a different tune: to alter one’s perception of someone or something, or one’s attitude toward someone or something
Example: They claim that they are not concerned about money, but once they find out exactly the cost of a house, they will change their tune.
6. Sing from the same hymn/song sheet (British English): to demonstrate that you are in accordance with one another by making public statements that are identical to one another.
Example: It would be beneficial to collaborate across departments in order to ensure that we are all singing from the same hymn sheet.
7. Sing somebody’s praises: to give someone extremely high praise.
Example: Because of winning an international game, all teachers sang her praises last year.
In addition, the verb sing also combines with some preposition to create several phrasal verbs used in English language:
8. Sing along: sing in harmony with another person who is currently singing or sing along with music being played on a record player, radio, or other musical instrument.
Example: She likes singing along to her favorite songs.
9. Sing of: It is a term that is considered to be formal or archaic. To make a reference to something in a song or a lyric, often in a favorable manner.
Example: The poet sang or wrote songs that were set in the Middle Ages and included knights.
10. Sing out: there are two means
- to sing in a way more loudly/ sing up (British English) have the same meaning.
Example: This song is popular because the singer sings out / sings up some attractive lines.
- to articulate something in a way that is distinct and audible.
Example: “ You have to sing out!” my teacher said.
The definition of the word “shake” that was provided above was taken from the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary. Therefore the accuracy of the definitions provided there may be relied upon.
Practice Exercises
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.