Base
I set the table for dinner every evening.
Every evening marks a present routine.
Past Tense of Set: Set, Set, Set
Set has the same form in the present, past and past participle. Do not add -ed. A time word such as every day or yesterday, or a helper such as have, tells you which form is meant.
Base
set
Past
set
Past participle
set
Third person: sets · -ing form: setting
AAA: form patternExamples
Base
We set two alarms every school day.
Every school day shows a regular habit.
Past
My mother set the table before dinner yesterday.
Yesterday tells us set is in the past.
Past
Tom set his alarm for seven o'clock last night.
Last night marks a finished past action.
Past participle
I have set the table already.
Have set uses the past participle.
Past participle
The teacher has set a test for Friday.
The participle after has is still set.
Usage notes
Set the table, set an alarm
Set the table means put plates and forks on it. Set an alarm means choose the time it rings. Set also means put: She set the cup on the desk.
Time words matter
Set, set, set look the same, so look for clues. Every day points to the present, yesterday to the past, and have or has to the participle.
Set or sit?
Set needs an object: set the table. Sit does not: I sit down. Set and sit are different verbs.
Common mistakes
She setted the table.
She set the table.
The past of set is set, without -ed.
I have setted an alarm.
I have set an alarm.
After have, the participle is set, not setted.
Practise this verb
0/8
Choose the correct form
Choose the form that completes each English sentence.
1.She ___ the table last night.
2.I have ___ my alarm for six.
3.We ___ the table every evening.
4.He is ___ the table now.
Write the missing form
Type the correct form of set in each sentence.
Correct the mistake
Replace the incorrect word in the English sentence.
8.Choose the mistake in this sentence.
Answer key
1. She ___ the table last night.
Answer: set
Last night takes the past form set.
2. I have ___ my alarm for six.
Answer: set
After have, the participle is set.
3. We ___ the table every evening.
Answer: set
Every evening describes a present habit.
4. He is ___ the table now.
Answer: setting
The -ing form doubles the t: setting.
5. My dad ___ the alarm yesterday.
Answer: set
Yesterday is finished; past set is spelled set.
6. They have ___ the table for six people.
Answer: set
The participle after have is set.
7. We are ___ an alarm for seven.
Answer: setting
Setting has two t's.
8. Yesterday I setted the alarm.
Answer: Yesterday I set the alarm.
The past tense stays set.
Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of set?
The past tense is set: She set the table yesterday.
Is setted a word?
No. Set does not add -ed in the past or past participle.
How do I know if set is present or past?
Look at the time word or the helper. Every day means present, yesterday means past, and have or has means past participle.