What Is The Past Tense Of To Fall? How To Use It?

By Benjamin Essek

What Is The Past Tense Of To Fall?

The past tense of “fall” is “fell,” and its past participle form is fallen, as “fall” is an irregular verb.

You need to replace the letter -a with the letter -e to get the V2 of fall; and add the -en suffix to the base form to get the V3 of it. 

Below are other verb forms of fall:

Base/Infinitive Form (V1) fall
Present Form/3rd Person/Singular Form falls
Past Form (V2) fell
Past Participle Form (V3) fallen
Present Participle/Gerund falling

How To Pronounce Fell Properly? 

The pronunciation of fall is /fɔːl/, and of fell is /fel/ in both British and American English. 

The table below may give you more details:

Verb Forms Pronunciation 
British English language American English language
fall /fɔːl/ /fɔːl/
fell

(V2)

/fel/ /fel/
fallen

(V3)

/ˈfɔːlən/ /ˈfɔːlən/
falling /ˈfɔːlɪŋ/ /ˈfɔːlɪŋ/

How to say fall and fell correctly? Check out the below videos:

Fall pronunciation:

Fell pronunciation:

What Are The Definitions Of The Verb Fall? How To Use Fell?

We use “fell” as the past tense of fall in all cases where we are referring to a single, completed action in the past. Below are the meanings of fall with examples:

  • To drop down from a higher position to a lower position.

Example: The apple fell from the tree and landed on the ground.

  • To slope or decline in a particular direction.

Example: The road fell away sharply to the left, making it difficult to navigate.

  • To suddenly stop standing.

Example: She tripped over the rock and fell down onto the ground.

  • To become lower or less in amount, value, or quality.

Example: The temperature fell sharply overnight, causing the roads to become icy.

  • To pass into a specified state or condition, to begin to be something.

Example: She fell ill with a high fever and had to stay in bed for several days.

  • To be captured or defeated in a battle or competition.

Example: The defending champion fell to a younger, more aggressive opponent in the tournament.

  • To be shot in a battle.

Example: Many soldiers fell in battle during the war.

  • To happen or occur suddenly or unexpectedly.

Example: Without warning, the power went out, and everything fell into darkness.

  • To move in a special direction.

Example: The leaves fell gently to the ground in the autumn breeze.

Exercises

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Created on By Benjamin Essek

Past Tense Of To Fall

Choose the correct answer to fill in the blank:

1 / 7

The officer _______ in the line of duty in 1983, serving his country until the end.

2 / 7

The team is _____ behind early in the game.

3 / 7

The company _______ behind schedule on the project last year.

4 / 7

The value of the currency ______ every day.

5 / 7

He was so tired that he ______ asleep standing up.

6 / 7

The Nike sneakers’ price has ______ sharply in the holiday season.

7 / 7

The glass ____ from the table and shattered on the floor.

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FAQs

What Are Some Common Phrasal Verbs Of “Fall”?

  • Fall apart – to break into pieces or become separated into parts.

Example: The old book fell apart as soon as I picked it up.

  • Fall back – to retreat or withdraw from a position or situation.

Example: The troops were forced to fall back after the enemy attacked.

  • Fall behind – to fail to keep up with or meet a standard or schedule.

Example: I need to work harder, or I’ll fall behind in my studies.

  • Fall down – to lose one’s balance and collapse to the ground. (See past tense of lose here)

Example: He fell down the stairs and broke his leg.

  • Fall for – to be deceived or fooled by something or someone.

Example: I can’t believe she fell for his lies.

What Are The Common Meanings Of The Noun “Fall”?

  • The act or process of falling.

Example: The fall from the tree left him with a broken arm.

  • The season of the year between summer and winter. 

Example: I love the colors of the leaves in the fall.

  • A decrease or decline in value or amount.

Example: The fall in oil prices has affected the stock market.

  • Surrender or defeat

Example: The fall of the Berlin Wall marked the end of the Cold War.

  • A waterfall

Example: The fall in Yosemite National Park is a popular tourist attraction.

What Are Some Idioms Of “Fall”?

  • Fall flat – to not be funny or entertaining
  • Fall into place – to become organized or settled
  • Fall on deaf ears – to be ignored or not listened to
  • Fall off the wagon – to return to drinking alcohol after stopping a period.
  • Fall short – to not meet expectations or requirements (Click here to see past tense of meet)
  • Fall from grace – to lose status or reputation due to a mistake or wrongdoing