Withdraw past tense: withdrew, withdrawn
remove, retreat
Withdraw is an irregular English verb: the past simple of withdraw is withdrew and the past participle is withdrawn. Learn the three forms together — withdraw – withdrew – withdrawn.
Verb forms
Base form
/wɪðˈdrɔː/
Past Simple
/wɪðˈdruː/
Past Participle
/wɪðˈdrɔːn/
Press the speaker button to hear each form. The transcription under each word shows the British pronunciation (IPA).
Example sentences
Base form · withdraw
You can withdraw cash from any of our machines.
Past Simple · withdrew
He withdrew his application at the last minute.
Past Participle · withdrawn
The troops have been withdrawn from the border.
Key tenses
| Present Simple | Past Simple | Present Perfect |
|---|---|---|
I withdraw he / she / it withdraws | I withdrew | I have withdrawn |
| Present Continuous:I am withdrawing · he / she / it is withdrawing | ||
Grammar guide
Withdraw belongs to the ABC group: all three forms are different (withdraw – withdrew – withdrawn), so each form has to be learnt separately.
- Past simple – withdrew: a finished action at a definite time in the past. It is used on its own, without an auxiliary.
- Past participle – withdrawn: after have, has or had (present perfect, past perfect) and after be in the passive voice.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 withdraw…? I didn’t withdraw.
Verbs with the same pattern
Quick quiz
Which sentence is correct?
Questions about withdraw
- What is the past simple of withdraw?
- The past simple of withdraw is withdrew.
- What is the past participle of withdraw?
- The past participle of withdraw is withdrawn.
- What are the three forms of withdraw?
- The three forms are withdraw – withdrew – withdrawn: base form, past simple and past participle.
- Is withdraw a regular or an irregular verb?
- Withdraw is irregular: its past simple is withdrew, not withdrawed.