Understanding the correct past tense of irregular verbs like “build” is crucial for clear and accurate communication in English. The verb “build” is a common word, and knowing its past tense form, “built,” is essential for constructing grammatically correct sentences.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to the past tense of “build,” covering definitions, structural rules, usage guidelines, common mistakes, and practice exercises. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will help you master this important aspect of English grammar.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of “Build” and “Built”
- Structural Breakdown
- Forms of “Build”
- Examples of “Build” and “Built” in Sentences
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Conclusion
Definition of “Build” and “Built”
The verb “build” means to construct something by putting parts or materials together over a period of time. It implies a process of creation, assembly, or establishment.
“Build” is an irregular verb, meaning its past tense and past participle forms do not follow the typical “-ed” ending rule.
“Build” (Present Tense): To construct or create something.
“Built” (Past Tense and Past Participle): The completed action of constructing or creating something.
In essence, “build” describes the act of creation, while “built” signifies that the creation has already occurred.
Structural Breakdown
The verb “build” follows an irregular conjugation pattern. Let’s break down its principal parts:
- Base Form: build (present tense, infinitive)
- Past Tense: built
- Past Participle: built
- Present Participle: building
The key takeaway is that both the past tense and past participle forms of “build” are “built.” This is a common characteristic of many irregular verbs in English.
Forms of “Build”
Understanding the different forms of “build” is essential for using it correctly in various tenses and sentence structures.
Simple Present Tense
In the simple present tense, “build” is used to describe habitual actions or general truths. It changes form depending on the subject.
- I build
- You build
- He/She/It builds
- We build
- They build
Simple Past Tense
The simple past tense, using “built,” describes actions completed in the past.
- I built
- You built
- He/She/It built
- We built
- They built
Present Perfect Tense
The present perfect tense, using “have/has built,” describes actions that started in the past and continue to have relevance in the present.
- I have built
- You have built
- He/She/It has built
- We have built
- They have built
Past Perfect Tense
The past perfect tense, using “had built,” describes actions completed before another action in the past.
- I had built
- You had built
- He/She/It had built
- We had built
- They had built
Future Tense
The future tense uses “will build” to describe actions that will happen in the future.
- I will build
- You will build
- He/She/It will build
- We will build
- They will build
Examples of “Build” and “Built” in Sentences
Here are various examples showcasing the correct use of “build” and “built” in different contexts. These examples are categorized by tense for clarity.
Examples in Simple Present Tense
The following table illustrates the use of “build” in the simple present tense, showing both singular and plural subjects.
| Subject | Sentence |
|---|---|
| I | I build model airplanes in my free time. |
| You | You build beautiful websites for local businesses. |
| He | He builds houses for a living. |
| She | She builds strong relationships with her clients. |
| It | The construction company builds skyscrapers. |
| We | We build bridges to connect communities. |
| They | They build software applications for various industries. |
| The company | The company builds electric cars. |
| The architect | The architect builds innovative designs. |
| The team | The team builds robots for competitions. |
| The program | The program builds confidence in students. |
| The community | The community builds a playground every year. |
| The artist | The artist builds sculptures from recycled materials. |
| The engineer | The engineer builds sustainable infrastructure. |
| The developer | The developer builds new housing complexes. |
| The contractor | The contractor builds custom homes. |
| The school | The school builds a strong foundation for its students. |
| The organization | The organization builds shelters for the homeless. |
| The factory | The factory builds components for automobiles. |
| The government | The government builds roads and highways. |
| The foundation | The foundation builds schools in developing countries. |
| The university | The university builds research facilities. |
| The laboratory | The laboratory builds equipment for experiments. |
| The collective | The collective builds a community garden. |
Examples in Simple Past Tense
The following table provides examples of “built” used in the simple past tense, indicating completed actions in the past.
| Subject | Sentence |
|---|---|
| I | I built a treehouse when I was a child. |
| You | You built a successful business from scratch. |
| He | He built a robot for the science fair. |
| She | She built a strong reputation as a lawyer. |
| It | The company built a new factory last year. |
| We | We built a sandcastle on the beach. |
| They | They built a community center for the neighborhood. |
| The architect | The architect built a stunning modern house. |
| The engineer | The engineer built a suspension bridge. |
| The team | The team built a championship-winning race car. |
| The developer | The developer built a luxury apartment complex. |
| The contractor | The contractor built a custom-designed kitchen. |
| The school | The school built a new gymnasium. |
| The organization | The organization built a homeless shelter. |
| The factory | The factory built thousands of cars. |
| The government | The government built a new highway. |
| The foundation | The foundation built a school in Africa. |
| The university | The university built a new research lab. |
| The laboratory | The laboratory built a new testing facility. |
| The collective | The collective built a community garden last spring. |
| The artist | The artist built a large sculpture for the park. |
| The city | The city built a new public library. |
| The company | The company built a global brand. |
| The society | The society built a museum of local history. |
Examples in Present Perfect Tense
The present perfect tense, using “have/has built,” connects a past action to the present. These examples show how “built” is used to indicate completed actions with ongoing relevance.
| Subject | Sentence |
|---|---|
| I | I have built several websites for local businesses. |
| You | You have built a strong reputation in the community. |
| He | He has built a successful career in engineering. |
| She | She has built a strong bond with her students. |
| It | The company has built a new headquarters downtown. |
| We | We have built a supportive network of friends. |
| They | They have built a new life in a foreign country. |
| The architect | The architect has built numerous award-winning buildings. |
| The engineer | The engineer has built innovative solutions for urban planning. |
| The team | The team has built a reputation for excellence. |
| The developer | The developer has built several eco-friendly housing projects. |
| The contractor | The contractor has built many homes in the neighborhood. |
| The school | The school has built a strong academic program. |
| The organization | The organization has built a network of volunteers. |
| The factory | The factory has built a sustainable production line. |
| The government | The government has built a new transportation system. |
| The foundation | The foundation has built schools in several African countries. |
| The university | The university has built a new research center. |
| The laboratory | The laboratory has built advanced testing equipment. |
| The collective | The collective has built a strong community spirit. |
| The artist | The artist has built a unique collection of sculptures. |
| The city | The city has built a modern infrastructure. |
| The company | The company has built a solid customer base. |
| The society | The society has built a community center. |
Examples in Past Perfect Tense
The past perfect tense, using “had built,” indicates an action completed before another action in the past. These examples illustrate the sequence of events.
| Subject | Sentence |
|---|---|
| I | I had built the model before the competition started. |
| You | You had built a strong foundation before launching your business. |
| He | He had built the fence before the storm arrived. |
| She | She had built a rapport with the team before becoming the manager. |
| It | The company had built a prototype before the funding was secured. |
| We | We had built a solid team before the project deadline. |
| They | They had built a comfortable home before the children were born. |
| The architect | The architect had built a reputation for innovation before winning the award. |
| The engineer | The engineer had built the bridge according to the original specifications. |
| The team | The team had built a winning strategy before the playoffs began. |
| The developer | The developer had built the housing complex before the economic downturn. |
| The contractor | The contractor had built the custom kitchen before the homeowner changed their mind. |
| The school | The school had built a new library before the start of the academic year. |
| The organization | The organization had built a new shelter before the winter season. |
| The factory | The factory had built the prototype before the official launch date. |
| The government | The government had built the highway extension before the elections. |
| The foundation | The foundation had built the school before the local community could benefit. |
| The university | The university had built the science lab before the research grant was approved. |
| The laboratory | The laboratory had built the advanced testing equipment before the new regulations were implemented. |
| The collective | The collective had built the community garden before the summer festival. |
| The artist | The artist had built the sculpture before the exhibition opened. |
| The city | The city had built the new park before the summer season. |
| The company | The company had built a strong brand before the competition entered the market. |
| The society | The society had built the historical museum before the anniversary. |
Usage Rules
The primary rule to remember is that “built” is both the past tense and past participle of “build.” Therefore, it’s used in simple past tense constructions and perfect tenses (present perfect, past perfect, future perfect).
- Simple Past: Use “built” to describe a completed action in the past. Example: They built a new school last year.
- Present Perfect: Use “have/has built” to describe an action completed at an unspecified time in the past or an action that started in the past and continues to influence the present. Example: She has built a successful career.
- Past Perfect: Use “had built” to describe an action completed before another action in the past. Example: He had built the house before he sold it.
Common Mistakes
One of the most common mistakes is using “builded” as the past tense of “build.” This is incorrect. The correct past tense is always “built.”
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| They builded a house. | They built a house. | “Builded” is not a valid past tense form. |
| I have builded a model. | I have built a model. | “Builded” is an incorrect past participle. |
| She had builded a strong foundation. | She had built a strong foundation. | “Builded” is not the correct past participle. |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with these practice exercises. Choose the correct form of the verb “build” to complete each sentence.
Exercise 1: Simple Past Tense
Choose the correct past tense form (built) to complete the sentences below.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. The Romans ______ many roads and aqueducts. | built |
| 2. My grandfather ______ this house himself. | built |
| 3. Last year, the company ______ a new factory. | built |
| 4. They ______ a sandcastle on the beach yesterday. | built |
| 5. She ______ a strong reputation as a lawyer. | built |
| 6. The children ______ a fort in the woods. | built |
| 7. The community ______ a new playground for the kids. | built |
| 8. The team ______ a winning strategy for the competition. | built |
| 9. The architect ______ a stunning modern building. | built |
| 10. The engineer ______ a bridge across the river. | built |
Exercise 2: Present Perfect Tense
Fill in the blanks with the correct present perfect form (have/has built).
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. I ______ a strong relationship with my clients over the years. | have built |
| 2. You ______ a successful business from the ground up. | have built |
| 3. He ______ a reputation for being a reliable friend. | has built |
| 4. She ______ a beautiful garden in her backyard. | has built |
| 5. The company ______ a new headquarters in the city. | has built |
| 6. We ______ a strong team that can handle any challenge. | have built |
| 7. They ______ a new home for their growing family. | have built |
| 8. The architect ______ several innovative designs for eco-friendly homes. | has built |
| 9. The engineer ______ a sustainable infrastructure for the city. | has built |
| 10. The team ______ a winning streak this season. | has built |
Exercise 3: Past Perfect Tense
Complete the sentences using the past perfect tense (had built).
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. By the time the storm arrived, they ______ a sturdy shelter. | had built |
| 2. Before he became famous, he ______ a solid foundation in classical music. | had built |
| 3. She ______ a strong case before the trial began. | had built |
| 4. The company ______ a prototype before seeking funding. | had built |
| 5. We ______ a strong coalition before the negotiations started. | had built |
| 6. They ______ a successful business before they decided to retire. | had built |
| 7. The architect ______ a strong brand identity before launching their new firm. | had built |
| 8. The engineer ______ a reliable communication system before the disaster struck. | had built |
| 9. The team ______ a resilient network before the cyberattack. | had built |
| 10. The developer ______ a sustainable community before the environmental regulations were enacted. | had built |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, understanding the nuances of “build” can extend beyond simple tense usage. Consider these advanced topics:
- Figurative Language: “Build” can be used metaphorically to describe the development of relationships, ideas, or skills. Example: They are building a strong friendship.
- Phrasal Verbs: “Build” appears in several phrasal verbs with specific meanings, such as “build up” (to increase), “build on” (to develop further), and “build in” (to include as part of a design).
- Passive Voice: The passive voice can be used with “built” to shift the focus from the actor to the object. Example: The house was built in 1920.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some frequently asked questions about the past tense of “build.”
- Q: Is “builded” ever a correct form?
A: No, “builded” is never a correct form. The past tense and past participle of “build” are always “built.” - Q: How do I remember that “built” is the correct form?
A: Practice using “built” in sentences and try to associate it with other irregular verbs that change their vowel sound in the past tense, such as “feel” (felt) and “keep” (kept). - Q: Can “build” be used as a noun?
A: While “build” is primarily a verb, it can function as a noun in specific contexts, often referring to the physical structure or form of something. For example, “He has a strong build.” - Q: How is “built” pronounced?
A: “Built” is pronounced with a short “i” sound, similar to the “i” in “bit,” followed by a “lt” sound. The “u” is silent. - Q: What is the difference between “build” and “construct”?
A: While “build” and “construct” are similar, “build” often implies a more hands-on, gradual process, while “construct” can suggest a more formal or planned approach. - Q: How do I use “built-in” correctly?
A: “Built-in” is an adjective describing something that is integrated or included as a standard part of something else. Example: The house has built-in bookshelves. - Q: What are some common collocations with “build”?
A: Common collocations include “build a house,” “build a business,” “build relationships,” and “build a reputation.” - Q: How can I improve my use of irregular verbs like “build”?
A: Consistent practice, exposure to English language materials, and focused exercises on irregular verb conjugations are key. Flashcards and online resources can also be helpful.
Conclusion
Mastering the past tense of “build” is essential for effective communication in English. Remember that the correct form is “built,” both for the simple past tense and the past participle.
Avoid the common mistake of using “builded.” By understanding the usage rules, reviewing examples, and practicing regularly, you can confidently use “build” and “built” in your writing and speaking. Keep practicing and don’t be afraid to make mistakes – that’s how we learn!