Past Tense of “understand”
The past simple of “understand” is “understood” and the past participle is “understood”. Below are the pronunciation, three example sentences, the mistake learners make most often, and a short drill to check yourself.
Forms of “understand”
understand – understood – understood
know the meaning of
- Base form
- understand/ˌʌndərˈstænd/
- Past simple
- understood/ˌʌndərˈstʊd/
- Past participle
- understood/ˌʌndərˈstʊd/
- -ing form
- understanding
- He / she / it
- understands
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 understood the question the second time.
Past participle
Have you understood the instructions?
Passive
The risks were not fully understood.
The most common mistake
Wrong
I understanded everything.
Correct
I understood everything.
“Understand” follows “stand”: understand – understood – understood.
Verbs with the same pattern
Past = participle. Learn these together.