Past Tense of “Tear” (Grammar + Examples)

What is the past tense of “tear?” Most commonly, the past tense of the word “tear” is “teared” although the word form will change based on its participle. And the sentence where it’s used. For example, referencing “tear” in the present participle form will change it to “tearing,” but in the infinitive form, will be “tear.”

Continue reading to learn more about the past tense form of this word.

What is the past tense of “tear?”

The past tense (past participle) form of “tear” is “teared.” The infinitive of the word form is “tear” The present participle form is “tearing.” The past tense form is “teared” and past participle form is “teared.”

To learn how to use these words, refer to the sentence examples provided below.

Sentence examples for past tense of “tear”

• Infinitive: I tear the paper up.
• Present participle: I am tearing the paper up.
• Past tense: I teared the paper up.
• Past participle: I teared the paper up. (torn is an alternative)

“Tear” verb forms and examples

Example sentences in all verb forms:

Indefinite present tense

I tear the paper up.

Present continuous tense

I am tearing the paper up.

Present perfect continuous tense

I have teared the paper up.

Present perfect tense

I have been tearing the paper up.

Simple past tense

I hurt my shoulder trying to work out the other day

Past continuous tense

I was hurting my shoulder trying to work out the other day

Past perfect tense

I had teared the paper up.

Perfect continuous tense

I will tear the paper up.

Simple future tense

I will be tearing the paper up.

Future continuous tense

I will be tearing the paper up.

Future perfect tense

I will have teared the paper up.

Perfect continuous tense

I will have been tearing the paper up.

Examples in all verb tenses

Sentences examples in all participles and parts of speech: