Base
Please do not break the glass.
After do not, use the base form break.
Past Tense of Break: Broke and Broken
Break is an irregular verb. Use broke for a finished action in the past. Use broken after have or has, and as an adjective for something that does not work.
Base
break
Past
broke
Past participle
broken
Third person: breaks · -ing form: breaking
ABC: form patternExamples
Base
Eggs break easily.
A general fact in the present uses break.
Past
I broke my phone last week.
Last week is finished, so use broke.
Past
The dog broke the window.
Broke is the past simple; it does not need have.
Past participle
She has broken her glasses again.
Has broken connects the past with now.
Past participle
The old chair was broken.
Here broken describes the chair; it does not work.
Usage notes
Broken as an adjective
Broken also describes things that do not work or are in pieces: a broken window, a broken phone. The printer is broken means it does not work now.
Broke can mean no money
In informal English, broke is also an adjective: I am broke means I have no money. Compare: I broke my phone (the verb) and I am broke (the adjective).
Common mistakes
He breaked the window.
He broke the window.
Break is irregular. The past is broke, not breaked.
I have broke my phone.
I have broken my phone.
After have, use the past participle broken, not broke.
My watch is broke.
My watch is broken.
To say that an object does not work, use broken. Broke describes a person with no money.
Practise this verb
0/8
Choose the right form
Choose the form that completes each English sentence.
1.My brother ___ his arm last year.
2.Someone has ___ the door.
3.Glass can ___ if you drop it.
4.The TV is ___ again.
Write the missing form
Type the correct form of break in each sentence.
Correct the mistake
Rewrite the English sentence with the correct verb form.
8.Choose the mistake in this sentence.
Answer key
1. My brother ___ his arm last year.
Answer: broke
Last year is finished, so use broke.
2. Someone has ___ the door.
Answer: broken
Has takes the past participle broken.
3. Glass can ___ if you drop it.
Answer: break
After can, use the base form break.
4. The TV is ___ again.
Answer: broken
Broken is the adjective for something that does not work.
5. She has ___ her phone.
Answer: broken
Has plus the past participle is has broken.
6. Yesterday, I ___ a cup in the kitchen.
Answer: broke
Yesterday takes the past simple broke.
7. Children sometimes ___ toys.
Answer: break
A general habit with children (they) uses break.
8. We have broke the window.
Answer: We have broken the window.
After have, use broken, not broke.
Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of break?
The past tense of break is broke: I broke my phone yesterday.
What is the past participle of break?
The past participle is broken: I have broken my phone.
What is the difference between broke and broken?
Use broke for a finished past action: She broke a cup. Use broken after have or has, or as an adjective: She has broken a cup. The cup is broken.