Past Tense of “leave”
The past simple of “leave” is “left” and the past participle is “left”. Below are the pronunciation, three example sentences, the mistake learners make most often, and a short drill to check yourself.
Forms of “leave”
leave – left – left
go away from; let something stay
- Base form
- leave/liːv/
- Past simple
- left/left/
- Past participle
- left/left/
- -ing form
- leaving
- He / she / it
- leaves
Pronunciation (US)
Quick practice
5 questions. Type the missing form.
Example sentences
Three everyday sentences that show how the forms are used.
Past simple
I left my bag on the bus.
Past participle
The train has already left.
Passive
The door was left open all night.
The most common mistake
Wrong
She leaved the office at six.
Correct
She left the office at six.
“Leave” is irregular: leave – left – left.
Verbs with the same pattern
Past = participle. Learn these together.