What’s the past tense of “send”?
Is it send or sent? If you’ve ever wondered about the correct past tense of the verb send, you’re not alone. Let’s break down the forms, usage, and common mistakes with send and sent.
Usage Note: Past Tense of ‘Send’
✓
Correct:
Present simple: Please send the report.
Past participle (in the present perfect): She has already sent the package.
Present simple: Please send the report.
Past participle (in the present perfect): She has already sent the package.
✗
Incorrect:
Hesend the email yesterday.
He
Forms of the verb “send”
The verb send means “to cause something to go or be taken to a particular destination, especially by mail, email, or another delivery method.” It’s an irregular verb, so its past tense and past participle forms are not made by simply adding -ed.
| Present | Past | Future | |
|---|---|---|---|
| simple | I send | I sent | I will send |
| continuous | I am sending | I was sending | I will be sending |
| perfect | I have sent | I had sent | I will have sent |
| perfect continuous | I have been sending | I had been sending | I will have been sending |
Is “send” a regular or irregular verb?
Send is an irregular verb. Its past tense and past participle form is sent, not sended. Here’s a chart of similar irregular verbs:
Examples of “send” and “sent” in sentences
| Verb form | Examples |
|---|---|
| Present (“send”) |
I send a letter every week. They send their children to school by bus. Please send me the details. |
| Past (“sent”) |
She sent the package yesterday. We sent out invitations last month. He sent me a message this morning. |
| Past Participle (“sent”) |
The documents have been sent. I have sent the email. All the gifts were sent on time. |
Common phrases with “send”
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| send for | To request someone’s presence (“They sent for the doctor.”) |
| send off | To dispatch or mail something (“She sent off the application.”) |
| send out | To distribute (“We sent out invitations.”) |
| send back | To return something (“He sent back the faulty product.”) |
| send in | To submit (“Please send in your forms by Friday.”) |
FAQs
Q: What is the past tense of “send”?
A: The past tense of “send” is “sent.”
A: The past tense of “send” is “sent.”
Q: Is “sended” ever correct?
A: No, “sended” is not a correct form. The correct past tense and past participle is “sent.”
A: No, “sended” is not a correct form. The correct past tense and past participle is “sent.”
Q: Is “send” a regular verb?
A: No, “send” is irregular. Its past tense and past participle are “sent.”
A: No, “send” is irregular. Its past tense and past participle are “sent.”
Q: Can “sent” be used as an adjective?
A: Yes, in some contexts, such as “a sent package.”
A: Yes, in some contexts, such as “a sent package.”
Sources
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“Send, V. (1).” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford UP, June 2025, https://doi.org/10.1093/OED/6618323632.
Yash, D. "How to Use Send or Sent (Which is the Correct Word?)." Grammarflex, Aug 30, 2025, https://grammarflex.com/send-or-sent/.
