The verb to break · Conjugation
Past Simple of break
The answer: broke
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to break is broke.
Example: I broke my phone yesterday.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | broke |
| You | broke |
| He / She / It | broke |
| We | broke |
| You (pl.) | broke |
| They | broke |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. I have broke ❌
Broke is the Past Simple: I broke my phone yesterday. ✓ After have or has, always use broken: I have broken many things. ✓
2. Broke is also an adjective
In informal English, I'm broke means I have no money. Don't confuse it with the Past Simple: I broke the glass.
3. Breaked ❌
Break is irregular. Its Past Simple is broke, never breaked.
Practice quiz
Going further
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of break?+
The Past Simple of break is broke. The past participle is broken. Break → broke → broken.
What is the difference between broke and broken?+
Broke is the Past Simple: I broke the vase. Broken is the past participle (I have broken the vase) or an adjective (a broken vase).
Is breaked a word?+
No. Break is irregular. Its Past Simple is broke, never breaked: He broke his leg.
Is it broke or broken as an adjective?+
Use broken. The window is broken. She has a broken heart. As an adjective, broke only means having no money: I'm broke.
How do you make break negative in the past?+
Use didn't + break: I didn't break it. After didn't, the verb stays in its base form (break, not broke).
Related pages: break Past Simple
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
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/break/past-simple
© 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.
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More forms of the verb to break are coming soon.