"Bring" is an irregular verb that describes carrying or causing something to come along, with a single past and participle form that shifts from the present. This article examines its past tense, past participle, and meanings, and provides examples for better understanding.
What Is the Past Tense of "Bring"?
The simple past tense of "bring" is "brought," not "bringed." It’s uniform across subjects (e.g., "I brought," "they brought").
Brought in Sentence Examples
- She brought cookies to the meeting.
- He brought his dog to the park.
- They brought good news yesterday.
"Brought" shows past delivery or arrival.
"Bring" as a Past Participle
The past participle of "bring" is also "brought." It’s used with auxiliaries in perfect tenses or passive voice, indicating completed bringing.
Brought in Sentence Examples
- I have brought my lunch every day.
- By evening, the supplies had been brought in.
- The gift was brought by a friend.
"Brought" as a participle marks finished actions.
The Different Meanings of "Bring"
"Bring" spans physical transport and abstract effects. Here are its key uses.
a. To Carry or Deliver
- Past tense: He brought the mail inside.
- Past participle: She has brought flowers weekly.
b. To Cause or Produce
- Past tense: They brought peace to the talks.
- Past participle: Rain has brought relief to the fields.
c. To Introduce or Mention
- Past tense: She brought up a great idea.
- Past participle: The topic has been brought up before.
"Bring" connects the tangible and intangible.
Examples of "Bring" in Sentences
Using "Brought" (Past Tense)
- He brought his guitar to the campfire.
- She brought tears to their eyes.
- They brought the project to life.
Using "Brought" (Past Participle)
- I’ve brought enough for everyone.
- The law had been brought into effect.
- He’s been brought low by failure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is "bringed" ever correct?
No, "bringed" is incorrect. Always use "brought."
Why one form for past and participle?
"Bring" follows an Old English pattern (like "think" → "thought") for simplicity.
Does 'bring' also mean to go get something?
Yes, but "bring" implies toward the speaker (e.g., "She brought it here”), unlike "fetch" (go and get).
What’s a bringing idiom?
"Bring home the bacon" means earn (e.g., "He brought home the bacon”).
Conclusion
With "brought" as its past tense and past participle, "bring" delivers both objects and outcomes. Mastering its forms enhances your ability to express movement and impact. Bring these skills forward, and strengthen your English!