Build past tense: built, built
construct
Build is an irregular English verb: the past simple of build is built and the past participle is built. Learn the three forms together — build – built – built.
Verb forms
Base form
/bɪld/
Past Simple
/bɪlt/
Past Participle
/bɪlt/
Press the speaker button to hear each form. The transcription under each word shows the British pronunciation (IPA).
Example sentences
Base form · build
They build affordable houses for young families.
Past Simple · built
The Romans built this bridge two thousand years ago.
Past Participle · built
A new hospital has been built near the station.
Key tenses
| Present Simple | Past Simple | Present Perfect |
|---|---|---|
I build he / she / it builds | I built | I have built |
| Present Continuous:I am building · he / she / it is building | ||
Common collocations
build trust
to develop confidence over time
build up
to increase gradually
Grammar guide
Build belongs to the ABB group: the past simple and the past participle are the same (built). This is the largest group of irregular verbs — you only need to learn one past form.
- Past simple – built: a finished action at a definite time in the past. It is used on its own, without an auxiliary.
- Past participle – built: after have, has or had (present perfect, past perfect) and after be in the passive voice.
- Questions and negatives in the past simple use did + the base form: Did you build…? I didn’t build.
Quick quiz
Which sentence is correct?
Questions about build
- What is the past simple of build?
- The past simple of build is built.
- What is the past participle of build?
- The past participle of build is built.
- What are the three forms of build?
- The three forms are build – built – built: base form, past simple and past participle.
- Is build a regular or an irregular verb?
- Build is irregular: its past simple is built, not builded.