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Cling past tense: clung, clung
hold tightly
Cling is an irregular English verb: the past simple of cling is clung and the past participle is clung. Learn the three forms together — cling – clung – clung.
Verb forms
Base form
cling
/klɪŋ/
Past Simple
clung
/klʌŋ/
Past Participle
clung
/klʌŋ/
Press the speaker button to hear each form. The transcription under each word shows the British pronunciation (IPA).
Example sentences
Base form · cling
Wet clothes cling to your skin.
Past Simple · clung
The child clung to her mother's hand.
Past Participle · clung
He has clung to that old belief for years.
Key tenses
| Present Simple | Past Simple | Present Perfect |
|---|---|---|
I cling he / she / it clings | I clung | I have clung |
| Present Continuous:I am clinging · he / she / it is clinging | ||
Grammar guide
Cling belongs to the ABB group: the past simple and the past participle are the same (clung). This is the largest group of irregular verbs — you only need to learn one past form.
- Past simple – clung: a finished action at a definite time in the past. It is used on its own, without an auxiliary.
- Past participle – clung: 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 cling…? I didn’t cling.
Quick quiz
Which sentence is correct?
Questions about cling
- What is the past simple of cling?
- The past simple of cling is clung.
- What is the past participle of cling?
- The past participle of cling is clung.
- What are the three forms of cling?
- The three forms are cling – clung – clung: base form, past simple and past participle.
- Is cling a regular or an irregular verb?
- Cling is irregular: its past simple is clung, not clinged.