VERBONKSPlay freeLight past tense and past participlelight · lit · lit
The past participle (the 3rd form) of light is lit / lighted and the past simple is lit / lighted. The three forms are light, lit / lighted, lit / lighted.
Light in a sentence
We lit the candles on the cake.
| Tense | Example |
|---|---|
| Present simple | I light · she lights |
| Present continuous | I am lighting · they are lighting |
| Past simple | I lit · she lit · they lit |
| Past simple, negative | I didn't light · she didn't light |
| Past simple, question | Did you light? · Did she light? |
| Present perfect | I have lit · she has lit |
| Past perfect | I had lit |
| Future | I will light |
Common mistakes with light
✗ I didn't lit✓ I didn't light✗ Did you lit?✓ Did you light?✗ I have light✓ I have lit
After didn't and in questions with did, use the base form. After have / has / had, use the past participle.
❓ Test yourself: 10-question quizEn español
light significa encender. Pasado: lit / lighted. Participio: lit / lighted.
🎭 light runs with The Two-Faced Gang
-ed or -t, both OK
The Two-Faced Gang lives a double life. In the USA they act like good citizens: learned, burned, smelled. Cross the ocean to the UK and they show their other face: learnt, burnt, smelt. Both are correct, so you can't arrest them for either one. light is the master of disguise: lit, or sometimes lighted.
🔎 How to spot one: -ed or -t, both are right. Pick one style and stick with it.
Irregular verbs come in gangs that change the same way. Learn one and you can guess the rest of the gang:
| Base | Past | Participle |
|---|---|---|
| learn | learned / learnt | learned / learnt |
| burn | burned / burnt | burned / burnt |
| smell | smelled / smelt | smelled / smelt |
| spell | spelled / spelt | spelled / spelt |
| spill | spilled / spilt | spilled / spilt |
| lean | leaned / leant | leaned / leant |
| light | lit / lighted | lit / lighted |
Questions about light
What is the past tense of light?
The past simple of "light" is "lit / lighted". Example: We lit the candles on the cake.
What is the past participle of light?
The past participle (3rd form, V3) of "light" is "lit / lighted", as in "I have lit".
What are the 3 forms of light?
V1 light, V2 lit / lighted, V3 lit / lighted.
Is light a regular or an irregular verb?
"light" is an irregular verb.
¿Cuál es el pasado y el participio de light?
"light" significa "encender". Pasado: lit / lighted. Participio: lit / lighted.