Past Tense of ‘Putting’: Is it ‘Put’ or ‘Putted’? If you’ve ever hesitated while writing or speaking and second-guessed yourself, you’re not alone. English verbs can be tricky, and this one in particular trips up even confident speakers. You want to sound correct, polished, and sure of your words but the wrong choice can make your sentence look clumsy.
Here’s the good news: once you understand the rule, you’ll never doubt yourself again. This article will walk you through the simple answer, clear up common misconceptions, and give you real examples so you can use it confidently every time.
Quick Summary
The past tense of put (and by extension “putting”) is always put, not putted.
- Put is an irregular verb, which means it doesn’t follow the standard “-ed” rule for past tense.
- The word remains the same in the present, past, and past participle forms.
Examples:
- Present: I put my bag on the table every day.
- Past: Yesterday, I put my bag on the table.
- Past Participle: I have put my bag on the table many times.
Key Takeaways
- Put → put → put (present → past → past participle).
- “Putted” is not standard English, except in one specific context: the sport of golf.
- Using “putted” outside of golf is a grammatical mistake.
⚡ Quick Tip: If you’re writing about placing or setting something, the past tense is always put, never putted.
Reasons for Confusion
Why do so many people wonder if “putted” might be correct? Let’s explore the main reasons:
1. English’s Love of “-ed” Past Tenses
Most English verbs form the past tense by adding -ed: work → worked, play → played, call → called. Learners assume the same applies to “put,” leading to the mistaken “putted.”
2. The “-ing” Trap
When a verb takes an “-ing” ending (like “putting”), writers sometimes think the past tense must also expand: putting → putted. It feels logical, but irregular verbs ignore these patterns.
3. Influence of Golf Terminology
In golf, putt (with double “t”) is a different verb meaning “to hit the ball gently on the green.” The correct past tense of that verb is indeed putted: He putted well yesterday. This overlap confuses non-golfers who hear “putted” and assume it applies to “put” in all contexts.
4. Lack of Pronunciation Difference
Unlike verbs that change sound in the past tense (e.g., sing → sang), “put” sounds the same in present and past. Without a pronunciation shift, people second-guess the spelling.
Detailed Explanation
Let’s break it down carefully so you’ll never wonder again.
Irregular Verbs in English
English has hundreds of irregular verbs. Instead of following predictable “-ed” patterns, they retain the same form or change unpredictably. Examples include:
| Base Form | Past Tense | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|
| put | put | put |
| cut | cut | cut |
| let | let | let |
| shut | shut | shut |
| hit | hit | hit |
Notice a pattern? Many short, common verbs remain unchanged across tenses. “Put” belongs in this group.
Using “Put” Correctly
Here’s how “put” works in different tenses:
- Present simple: I put sugar in my tea every morning.
- Past simple: Yesterday, I put sugar in my tea.
- Future simple: Tomorrow, I will put sugar in my tea.
- Present continuous: I am putting sugar in my tea now.
- Past continuous: I was putting sugar in my tea when you called.
- Present perfect: I have put sugar in my tea already.
- Past perfect: I had put sugar in my tea before the meeting began.
No matter the construction, the past tense form is always put, never putted.
Common Errors
Here are the mistakes learners (and even native speakers) make with “put”:
- ❌ She putted her keys on the table.
(Incorrect: should be She put her keys on the table.) - ❌ I had putted my homework in my bag.
(Incorrect: should be I had put my homework in my bag.) - ❌ He will be putted in charge of the team.
(Incorrect: should be He will be put in charge of the team.)
⚡ Quick Tip: If you see “putted” outside of golf, it’s almost always a mistake.
Synonyms or Alternatives
Sometimes, you may want to avoid repeating “put” in your writing. Here are some alternatives:
| Synonym | Usage Example | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Place | She placed the book on the desk. | More formal |
| Set | He set the glass on the counter. | Neutral, common |
| Lay | They laid the tools on the floor. | Everyday, physical |
| Position | She positioned the vase in the center. | Careful placement |
| Arrange | He arranged the chairs in rows. | Organized setting |
Using synonyms not only reduces repetition but also allows you to convey more precise meaning.
Examples in Sentences
To reinforce understanding, here are multiple sentences showing correct usage of “put.”
Present vs. Past
- Present: I always put my phone on silent during meetings.
- Past: Yesterday, I put my phone on silent before the meeting started.
Perfect Tenses
- Present Perfect: I have put all the dishes away.
- Past Perfect: By the time she arrived, I had put the dishes away.
- Future Perfect: By tomorrow, I will have put all my notes in order.
Continuous Forms
- Present Continuous: She is putting the groceries in the fridge.
- Past Continuous: He was putting his shoes on when the phone rang.
- Future Continuous: They will be putting up decorations this evening.
Each example shows that “put” remains unchanged in past contexts.
Special Case: Golf and “Putted”
The only legitimate use of putted comes from the sport of golf. Here, “putt” (with two “t”s) is a different verb altogether.
- Base form: putt
- Past tense: putted
- Past participle: putted
Examples:
- He putted the ball into the hole on the first try.
- She has putted consistently well all season.
⚡ Quick Tip: If you’re talking about golf, “putted” is fine. Otherwise, stick to “put.”
Origins and History
The verb put has deep historical roots in English. It comes from Old English putian meaning “to thrust or push.” Unlike many verbs that evolved predictable “-ed” endings, “put” resisted change, keeping the same form across tenses.
This stability is why modern English still uses put → put → put. It belongs to a category of strong, irregular verbs that preserve ancient patterns.
The golf term putt is much more recent, entering English in the 18th century from the Scottish dialect, where putt meant “to push or shove.” That’s why “putted” exists in golf but not in general usage.
Broader Importance of Using “Put” Correctly
Some people may shrug and say, “Does it really matter?” The answer: absolutely.
- Professional Writing: Misusing “putted” in a business email or report can make you look careless.
- Academic Writing: Grammar accuracy is critical for essays, research, and exams.
- Everyday Communication: Correct usage ensures you’re clearly understood and avoids awkwardness.
- Language Learning: For ESL students, mastering irregular verbs like “put” builds confidence.
By internalizing this rule, you elevate not just one verb but your overall command of English.
Advanced Insights: Other Irregular Verbs Like “Put”
It helps to group “put” with similar verbs that don’t change in the past tense.
| Base Form | Past Tense | Past Participle | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| cut | cut | cut | She cut her hair yesterday. |
| let | let | let | They let him join the game. |
| shut | shut | shut | He shut the door quietly. |
| hit | hit | hit | I hit the ball hard. |
| put | put | put | She put her bag down. |
Learning these as a group makes them easier to remember.
Practice Section
Test yourself with these sentences. Fill in the blanks with the correct past tense of “put.”
- Yesterday, I ___ my phone on the charger.
- She ___ her homework in her backpack before leaving.
- We ___ the chairs back after the meeting.
- He ___ his trust in the wrong people.
✅ Answers:
- put
- put
- put
- put
See? No “putted” necessary!
Conclusion
So, what’s the past tense of “putting”? The answer is simple: it’s always put. Not “putted,” not anything else—just “put.”
Here’s what we’ve learned:
- Put → put → put is the correct sequence.
- “Putted” only belongs to golf, where “putt” is a different verb.
- Confusion arises from the “-ed” rule, golf influence, and irregular verb quirks.
- Using the correct form ensures professionalism, clarity, and credibility.
By mastering this one small detail, you sharpen your writing and speaking across contexts—academic, professional, and everyday. And the next time someone hesitates between “put” and “putted,” you’ll have the answer ready with confidence.
