Past Tense of “hold”
The past simple of “hold” is “held” and the past participle is “held”. Below are the pronunciation, three example sentences, the mistake learners make most often, and a short drill to check yourself.
Forms of “hold”
hold – held – held
have in your hands; organize (a meeting, an event)
- Base form
- hold/hoʊld/
- Past simple
- held/held/
- Past participle
- held/held/
- -ing form
- holding
- He / she / it
- holds
Pronunciation (US)
Quick practice
5 questions. Type the missing form.
Example sentences
Three everyday sentences that show how the forms are used.
Past simple
She held the baby in her arms.
Past participle
She has held the world record since 2021.
Passive
The meeting will be held on Monday.
The most common mistake
Wrong
The event was holded in Berlin.
Correct
The event was held in Berlin.
“Hold” is irregular: hold – held – held.
Verbs with the same pattern
Past = participle. Learn these together.