Past Tense of Mean: Conjugations in Past and Present Participles

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

What is the past tense of the word "mean"

The past tense (past participle) form of “mean” is “meant.” The infinitive of the word form is “mean.” The present participle form is “meaning.” The past tense form is “meant” and past participle form is “meant.”

Understanding verb tenses

The general grammar rules that govern past tenses are as follows. The simple past tense form is created by adding a -ed or -d affix to the root word of the verb. Some verbs use a -t variation where they end in a -t. For example, when "dream" turns into "dreamt."

The past perfect tense is formed for regular verbs (ending in -ed, -d, or -t) by adding "had" followed by the verb. For example, "I had finished."

The past continuous tense is formed by the verb "be" followed by the affix or ending of -ing. For example, "we were having dinner."

Lastly, the past perfect continuous tense is formed by adding "had been" followed by the affix or ending of -ing. For example, "I had been building a castle with my sister."

For more information on forming all past tenses, visit our "understanding verb tenses" resource.

Sentence examples for the past tense of the word "mean"

• Infinitive: I mean.
• Present participle: She is meaning.
• Past tense: I meant.
• Past particle: I have meant.

Verb forms of the word "mean"

Example sentences in all verb forms:

Indefinite present tense

I mean.

Present continuous tense

She/he/it is meaning.

Present perfect continuous tense

She/he/it has/had meant.

Present perfect tense

She/he/it has/had been meaning.

Simple past tense

She/he/it meant.

Past continuous tense

She/he/it were meaning.

Past perfect tense

She/he/it has/had been meaning.

Perfect continuous tense

She/he/it will/shall mean.

Simple future tense

She/he/it will/shall be meaning.

Future perfect tense

She/he/it will/shall have meant.

Future perfect continuous tense

She/he/it will/shall have been meaning.

Sentence examples in all forms

Sentence examples in all participles and parts of speech:

Verb Tense	Example sentence
Simple Present Tense	I mean
Present Continuous Tense	She/he/it meaning
Present Perfect Tense	She/he/it has/had been meaning
Simple Past Tense	She/he/it meant
Past Continuous Tense	She/he/it were meaning
Past Perfect Tense	I had meant.
Past Perfect Continuous Tense	She/he/it has/had been meaning
Simple Future Tense	She/he/it will/shall be meaning
Future Continuous Tense	I will be meaning.
Future Perfect Tense	She/he/it will/shall have meant
Future Perfect Continuous Tense	She/he/it will/shall have been meaning