Base
I speak English with my teacher.
Speak with I, you, we and they in the present.
Past Tense of Speak: Spoke and Spoken
Speak is an irregular verb. Use spoke for a finished action in the past. Use spoken after have or has.
Base
speak
Past
spoke
Past participle
spoken
Third person: speaks · -ing form: speaking
ABC: form patternExamples
Base
Do you speak Spanish at home?
After do, use the base form speak.
Past
She spoke to the manager yesterday.
Yesterday points to a finished past action.
Past
We spoke on the phone last night.
Spoke is the past form; it does not need have.
Past participle
I have spoken to him twice this week.
After have, use the participle spoken.
Past participle
They have spoken to their neighbor about the noise.
Have spoken is the present perfect.
Usage notes
Speak or talk?
Speak is a little more formal and is used for languages: speak French. Talk is more informal: talk to a friend. Both take to: speak to the teacher, talk to the teacher.
Spoke is not the participle
Spoke is only the simple past: I spoke to her. After have or has, use spoken: I have spoken to her.
Common mistakes
I speaked to her yesterday.
I spoke to her yesterday.
Speak is irregular. Its past form is spoke, not speaked.
She has spoke to the teacher.
She has spoken to the teacher.
After has, use the past participle spoken.
He has spoken to me last week.
He spoke to me last week.
Last week is a finished time, so use the simple past spoke, not have spoken.
Practise this verb
0/8
Choose the right form
Choose the form that completes each English sentence.
1.She ___ to her boss this morning.
2.Have you ___ to Anna today?
3.I ___ English at work every day.
4.Can you ___ more slowly, please?
Write the missing form
Type the correct form of speak 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. She ___ to her boss this morning.
Answer: spoke
A finished action in the past uses spoke.
2. Have you ___ to Anna today?
Answer: spoken
After have, use the participle spoken.
3. I ___ English at work every day.
Answer: speak
Every day describes a present routine: I speak.
4. Can you ___ more slowly, please?
Answer: speak
After can, use the base form speak.
5. They ___ on the phone for an hour last night.
Answer: spoke
A finished past action uses spoke.
6. I have ___ to my teacher about it.
Answer: spoken
Have plus the participle is have spoken.
7. She is ___ to her mother now.
Answer: speaking
Now needs the -ing form: speaking.
8. I have spoke to the doctor.
Answer: I have spoken to the doctor.
After have, use spoken, not spoke.
Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of speak?
The past tense of speak is spoke: I spoke to her yesterday.
Is it have spoke or have spoken?
Use have spoken. Spoke is only the simple past: I spoke yesterday, but I have spoken to her today.
What is the difference between speak and talk?
Speak is a little more formal and is used for languages. Talk is more informal and is common with friends and family.