Spell past tense: spelt/spelled, spelt/spelled
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Spell is an irregular English verb: the past simple of spell is spelt/spelled and the past participle is spelt/spelled. Learn the three forms together — spell – spelt/spelled – spelt/spelled.
Verb forms
Base form
/spel/
Past Simple
/spelt/, /speld/
Past Participle
/spelt/, /speld/
Press the speaker button to hear each form. The transcription under each word shows the British pronunciation (IPA).
Example sentences
Base form · spell
Can you spell your surname for me, please?
Past Simple · spelt/spelled
She spelt the word correctly on her first try.
Past Participle · spelt/spelled
My name has been spelt wrong on the certificate.
Key tenses
| Present Simple | Past Simple | Present Perfect |
|---|---|---|
I spell he / she / it spells | I spelt | I have spelt |
| Present Continuous:I am spelling · he / she / it is spelling | ||
Grammar guide
Spell belongs to the ABB group: the past simple and the past participle are the same (spelt/spelled). This is the largest group of irregular verbs — you only need to learn one past form.
- Past simple – spelt/spelled: a finished action at a definite time in the past. It is used on its own, without an auxiliary.
- Past participle – spelt/spelled: 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 spell…? I didn’t spell.
Questions about spell
- What is the past simple of spell?
- The past simple of spell is spelt/spelled.
- What is the past participle of spell?
- The past participle of spell is spelt/spelled.
- What are the three forms of spell?
- The three forms are spell – spelt/spelled – spelt/spelled: base form, past simple and past participle.