Base
I understand the question.
Understand is the base form with I, you, we and they.
Past Tense of Understand: Understood
Understand is an irregular verb. Its past form and past participle are the same word: understood. Say I understood the lesson and I have understood the lesson.
Base
understand
Past
understood
Past participle
understood
Third person: understands · -ing form: understanding
ABB: form patternExamples
Base
Do you understand this word?
After do, use the base form understand.
Past
She understood the teacher very well.
Understood is the past form; it does not need have.
Past
We understood the story only at the end.
The action is finished, so use understood.
Past participle
I have understood the rule now.
After have, the participle is also understood.
Past participle
They have understood the instructions.
Have understood means they know what to do now.
Usage notes
Understand ends like stand
Understand is stand with under in front. It follows the same pattern as stand, stood, stood, so the past is understood. Never write understanded.
Not usually with -ing
Understand is a state verb, so we normally say I understand you, not I am understanding you. Use the simple form even when you mean right now.
Common mistakes
I understanded the lesson.
I understood the lesson.
Understand is irregular; the past form is understood, never understanded.
I am understanding you now.
I understand you now.
Understand describes a state, so it is normally not used with -ing.
Practise this verb
0/8
Choose the right form
Choose the form that completes each English sentence.
1.Yesterday I ___ the lesson very well.
2.She has ___ the rule at last.
3.Do you ___ this question?
4.We ___ the teacher when she spoke slowly.
Write the missing form
Type the correct form of understand 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. Yesterday I ___ the lesson very well.
Answer: understood
Yesterday is a finished past time, so use understood.
2. She has ___ the rule at last.
Answer: understood
Has takes the past participle understood.
3. Do you ___ this question?
Answer: understand
After do, use the base form understand.
4. We ___ the teacher when she spoke slowly.
Answer: understood
The speaking is finished, so use the past simple understood.
5. They have ___ the instructions.
Answer: understood
Have plus the past participle is have understood.
6. My brother ___ the film last night.
Answer: understood
Last night is finished, so use the past simple understood.
7. I don't ___ this word.
Answer: understand
After don't, use the base form understand.
8. She understanded the question.
Answer: She understood the question.
The past of understand is understood, not understanded.
Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of understand?
The past tense of understand is understood: She understood the lesson.
Is understanded a word?
No. Understand is irregular. Use understood for both the past and the past participle.
Can I say I am understanding?
Not usually. Understand is a state verb, so say I understand. Use it in the simple form, even for right now.