Irregular verb
The verb to bet
bet → bet → bet
B1Meaning: to risk money on a result; to be sure · Type: irregular · Frequency: Top 100 English verbs
Key points to remember
- Present Simple:
I/you/we/they bet·he/she/it bets - Past Simple:
bet(no change, the same as the base form) - Past participle:
bet(the same) - -ing form:
betting(double t)
Conjugation of the verb to bet
Present Simple
| I | bet |
| You | bet |
| He / She / It | bets |
| We | bet |
| You (pl.) | bet |
| They | bet |
Past Simple
| I | bet |
| You | bet |
| He / She / It | bet |
| We | bet |
| You (pl.) | bet |
| They | bet |
All the forms of the verb to bet
Present Simple
Full pagebet / bets
“I bet you can't do it.”
See the pagePresent Continuous
Full pageam / is / are betting
“I am betting on the match right now.”
See the pagePast Simple
Full pagebet
“He bet ten pounds on the horse.”
See the pagePast Continuous
Full pagewas / were betting
“I was betting on the match when the phone rang.”
See the pagePresent Perfect
Full pagehave / has bet
“I have already bet on the match.”
See the pagePast Perfect
Full pagehad bet
“She had already bet on the match when I arrived.”
See the pageFuture Simple
Full pagewill bet
“I will bet on the match tomorrow.”
See the pageGoing to Future
Full pageam / is / are going to bet
“I'm going to bet on the match this weekend.”
See the pageConditional (would)
Full pagewould bet
“I would bet on the match if I had time.”
See the pageHow to use to bet
1. Betting money
You bet money on something: a race, a match or a team.
- He bet £10 on the race.
2. Being sure (present)
I bet (that)… means I'm sure that…
- I bet she'll win.
- I bet you're tired.
3. You bet!
An informal way to say yes, or to answer thank you.
- Thanks! / You bet!
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Bet does not change
Bet → bet → bet. The Past Simple and the past participle look like the base form, as with cut, put and hit: Last week, he bet ten pounds on a horse.
2. Bet is also a noun
A bet is the money or the promise that you risk. Place a bet means to bet money. A safe bet is a choice that is sure to work: Pizza is a safe bet for a party.
What's next?
You can conjugate to bet. Now say it out loud.
This page explained everything. On PLAY, you practise this verb out loud in 3 minutes, until it comes naturally.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past simple of bet?+
The Past Simple of bet is bet: it does not change. The past participle is also bet. Bet → bet → bet. It is like cut, put, hit, let, set and shut.
What does I bet mean?+
I bet often means I'm sure. There is no real bet and no money. I bet she'll come means I'm sure she will come.
What does you bet mean?+
You bet! means Of course! or Yes, definitely! It is informal and very American. Are you coming to the party? You bet! In American English, it can also answer thank you: Thanks for the help! You bet!
What is the difference between bet and gamble?+
Bet means to risk money on one result: a horse, a team or a match. Gamble is more general: to play games for money, for example in a casino. He bet on the red team. I never gamble.
Is it bet or betted?+
Use bet: it is the usual Past Simple and past participle. Betted also exists, mostly in British English, but it is much less common.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/bet
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.