What is the past tense of “explore?” Most commonly, the past tense of the word “explore” is “explored.” Although the word form will change based on its participle. And the sentence where it’s used. For example, referencing “explore” in the present participle form will change it to “exploring,” but in the infinitive form, will be “explore.”
What is the past tense of the word "explore"
The past tense (past participle) form of “explore” is “explored.” The infinitive of the word form is “explore.” The present participle form is “exploring.” The past tense form is “explored” and past participle form is “explored.”
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 "explore"
- Infinitive: I explore.
- Present participle: She is exploring.
- Past tense: I explored.
- Past particle: I have explored.
Verb forms of the word "explore"
Example sentences in all verb forms:
Indefinite present tense
I explore.
Present continuous tense
She/he/it is exploring.
Present perfect continuous tense
She/he/it has/had explored.
Present perfect tense
She/he/it has/had been exploring.
Simple past tense
She/he/it explored.
Past continuous tense
She/he/it were exploring.
Past perfect tense
She/he/it has/had been exploring.
Perfect continuous tense
She/he/it will/shall explore.
Simple future tense
She/he/it will/shall be exploring.
Future perfect tense
She/he/it will/shall have explored.
Future perfect continuous tense
She/he/it will/shall have been exploring.
Sentence examples in all forms
Sentence examples in all participles and parts of speech:
| Verb Tense | Example sentence |
| Simple Present Tense | I explore |
| Present Continuous Tense | She/he/it exploring |
| Present Perfect Tense | She/he/it has/had been exploring |
| Simple Past Tense | She/he/it explored |
| Past Continuous Tense | She/he/it were exploring |
| Past Perfect Tense | I had explored. |
| Past Perfect Continuous Tense | She/he/it has/had been exploring |
| Simple Future Tense | She/he/it will/shall be exploring |
| Future Continuous Tense | I will be exploring. |
| Future Perfect Tense | She/he/it will/shall have explored |
| Future Perfect Continuous Tense | She/he/it will/shall have been exploring |
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