"Ring" is an irregular verb about sounds or calls, shifting forms in the past without "-ed." This article covers the past tense, past participle, meanings, and examples to boost your grammar fast.
What Is the Past Tense of "Ring"?
The simple past tense of "ring" is "rang" when it means to make a sound or call (e.g., a bell or phone), not "ringed." It’s the same for all subjects (e.g., "I rang," "they rang").
For "ring" meaning to surround, the past tense is "ringed" (e.g., "She ringed the tree"). This article focuses on the sound/call sense.
Rang in Sentence Examples:
- She rang the bell this morning.
- He rang me last night.
- They rang the alarm at dawn.
"Rang" marks a past sound or call.
"Ring" as a Past Participle
The past participle of "ring" is "rung" for the sound/call meaning. It pairs with auxiliaries like "have" for perfect tenses or "be" for passive voice, showing completed ringing.
Rung in Sentence Examples:
- I have rung the doorbell twice.
- By noon, the bell had rung loudly.
- The phone was rung up by a stranger.
"Rung" reflects a finished chime or call.
The Different Meanings of "Ring"
"Ring" covers sounds and more—here’s how it shifts:
a. To Make a Sound (e.g., bells)
- Past tense: The bell rang at school.
- Past participle: It has rung every hour.
b. To Call (e.g., phone)
- Past tense: She rang her friend yesterday.
- Past participle: He has rung me before.
c. To Surround (less common)
- Past tense: Trees ringed the lake.
- Past participle: The lake has been ringed by trees.
"Ring" chimes through literal and rare figurative uses.
Examples of "Ring" in Sentences
Using "Rang" (Past Tense):
- The phone rang all night.
- He rang the shop for help.
- They rang out the old year.
Using "Rung" (Past Participle):
- I’ve rung the bell already.
- The line has been rung off the hook.
- She’s rung up huge bills.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is "ringed" ever correct?
Yes, for "encircle" (e.g., "She ringed the tree"), but not for sound/call—use "rang/rung" there.
Why "rang" and "rung"?
"Rang" is past (e.g., "I rang"); "rung" is participle with "have" (e.g., "I have rung"). It’s irregular from Old English.
Can "ring" mean to call someone?
Yes, e.g., "He rang me" (past) or "I’ve rung him" (participle).
What’s a “ring” idiom?
"Ring a bell" means sound familiar (e.g., "It rang a bell”).
Conclusion
The past tense "rang" and past participle "rung" make "ring" sing across sounds, calls, and circles. From "I rang the bell" to "It’s been rung," these forms chime in with ease. Grab them, and let your English ring out loud!