"Teach" is an irregular verb that describes imparting knowledge or skills, with a consistent past and participle form that departs 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 "Teach"?
The simple past tense of "teach" is "taught," not "teached." It’s uniform across subjects (e.g., "I taught," "they taught").
Taught in Sentence Examples
- She taught the class how to write essays.
- He taught his dog a new trick yesterday.
- They taught us patience through example.
"Taught" conveys past acts of instruction.
"Teach" as a Past Participle
The past participle of "teach" is also "taught." It pairs with auxiliaries in perfect tenses or passive voice, highlighting completed teaching.
Taught in Sentence Examples
- I have taught English for five years.
- By summer, she had taught the entire course.
- The skill was taught by an expert.
"Taught" as a past participle underscores finished lessons.
The Different Meanings of "Teach"
"Teach" covers education, guidance, and life lessons. Here are its main uses.
a. To Instruct or Educate
- Past tense: He taught math to middle schoolers.
- Past participle: She has taught hundreds of students.
b. To Train or Show How
- Past tense: They taught me to ride a bike.
- Past participle: The recipe has been taught to all the kids.
c. To Impart a Lesson (Figurative)
- Past tense: The experience taught her humility.
- Past participle: Patience had been taught by hardship.
"Teach" bridges formal and informal learning.
Examples of "Teach" in Sentences
Using "Taught" (Past Tense)
- She taught the song to the choir.
- He taught himself coding over the weekend.
- They taught respect through their actions.
Using "Taught" (Past Participle)
- I’ve taught this lesson many times.
- The rules had been taught early on.
- He’s been taught well by his mentors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is "teached" ever correct?
No, "teached" is wrong. Always use "taught."
Why doesn’t "teach" follow a regular pattern?
It’s an Old English strong verb, changing vowels (teach → taught) instead of adding "-ed."
Can "teach" be self-directed?
Yes, e.g., "He taught himself guitar." Tip: Add "self" to clarify.
What’s a "teach" idiom ?
The idiom "teach an old dog new tricks" means it is difficult to change someone's long-established habits, behaviors, or skills, especially as they grow older. It highlights resistance to learning or adapting to new ways.
e.g., "My grandfather doubted he could learn to use a smartphone, joking that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but now he video calls me every week!"
Conclusion
The past tense and past participle of "teach"—"taught"—bring clarity to acts of instruction. Understanding its forms empowers you to share knowledge in words. Teach on, and grow your English mastery!