Base
Please show me your photo.
Show means let someone see something.
Past Tense of Show: Showed and Shown
The past tense of show is showed. The past participle is shown; showed is also accepted but less common. Use shown after have or has.
Base
show
Past
showed
Past participle
shown / showed
Third person: shows · -ing form: showing
ABC: form patternExamples
Base
The signs show the way to the park.
With a plural subject, the present verb stays show.
Past
She showed me her new phone yesterday.
Yesterday is finished, so use showed.
Past
He showed us the photos last night.
Last night marks a finished past action.
Past participle
I have shown my card at the door.
After have, shown is the usual form.
Past participle
They have shown the film two times this week.
This week goes with the present perfect.
Usage notes
Shown or showed?
Use showed for the simple past: She showed me the photo. The participle is usually shown: She has shown me the photo. Showed is also accepted after have, but shown is more common.
Show, not shown, after to and can
After to, can or will, use the base form: Can you show me the way? I want to show you something.
Common mistakes
I showned her the photo.
I showed her the photo.
The past of show ends in -ed: showed, never showned.
He has show me the room.
He has shown me the room.
After has, use the participle shown (or showed).
She shown me her book yesterday.
She showed me her book yesterday.
Shown needs have or has. For a finished past action, use showed.
Practise this verb
0/8
Choose the correct form
Choose the form that completes each English sentence.
1.She ___ me her photos yesterday.
2.He has ___ me the way.
3.Can you ___ me the way to the station?
4.The sign ___ the way to the beach.
Write the missing form
Type the correct form of show 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 ___ me her photos yesterday.
Answer: showed
Yesterday is finished, so use showed.
2. He has ___ me the way.
Answer: shown
After has, the usual participle is shown.
3. Can you ___ me the way to the station?
Answer: show
After can, use the base form show.
4. The sign ___ the way to the beach.
Answer: shows
A singular subject in the present takes shows.
5. My teacher ___ us a video last week.
Answer: showed
Last week is finished, so the past is showed.
6. They have ___ the film already.
Answer: shown
After have, use shown. Showed is also accepted.
7. I am ___ my mom the photos.
Answer: showing
After am, use the -ing form showing.
8. He showned me the room.
Answer: He showed me the room.
The past of show is showed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of show?
The past tense of show is showed: She showed me her phone.
What is the past participle of show?
It is usually shown: He has shown me the room. Showed is also accepted.
Is showned correct?
No. Use showed for the past and shown or showed for the participle.