Irregular verb
The verb to build
build → built → built
B1Meaning: to make something by putting parts together · Type: irregular · Frequency: Top 100 English verbs
Key points to remember
- Present Simple:
I/you/we/they build·he/she/it builds - Past Simple:
built - Past participle:
built(the same as the Past Simple) - -ing form:
building
Conjugation of the verb to build
Present Simple
| I | build |
| You | build |
| He / She / It | builds |
| We | build |
| You (pl.) | build |
| They | build |
Past Simple
| I | built |
| You | built |
| He / She / It | built |
| We | built |
| You (pl.) | built |
| They | built |
All the forms of the verb to build
Present Simple
Full pagebuild / builds
“They build houses.”
See the pagePresent Continuous
Full pageam / is / are building
“I am building a sandcastle right now.”
See the pagePast Simple
Full pagebuilt
“They built a new bridge.”
See the pagePast Continuous
Full pagewas / were building
“I was building a sandcastle when the phone rang.”
See the pagePresent Perfect
Full pagehave / has built
“I have already built a sandcastle.”
See the pagePast Perfect
Full pagehad built
“She had already built a sandcastle when I arrived.”
See the pageFuture Simple
Full pagewill build
“I will build a sandcastle tomorrow.”
See the pageGoing to Future
Full pageam / is / are going to build
“I'm going to build a sandcastle this weekend.”
See the pageConditional (would)
Full pagewould build
“I would build a sandcastle if I had time.”
See the pageHow to use to build
1. Building (a house, a bridge)
- They built a new house.
- The bridge was built in 1880.
2. Building (figurative)
You can also build things you cannot touch: build a relationship, build a career, build trust.
- It takes time to build trust.
- She built her career step by step.
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Building is also a noun
A building is a house, a school, an office... any structure with walls and a roof. A tall building, the Empire State Building.
2. Built is also an adjective
Well-built = strong and solid (a person or a structure). A well-built man is big and strong.
What's next?
You can conjugate to build. Now say it out loud.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past simple of build?+
The Past Simple of build is built. The past participle is also built. Build → built → built.
What is the difference between build and make?+
Build is for something big that lasts, or a long project: a house, a bridge, a career. Make is more general, and often quicker. You build a house, but you make a cake.
What does building mean as a noun?+
A building comes from build: it is a house, a school, an office or any structure with walls and a roof. A tall building, the school building. For a building with many flats, British English says a block of flats and American English says an apartment building.
What does well-built mean?+
Well-built means strong and solid. For a structure, it means it was built well. For a person, it means big and strong, with a lot of muscle: a well-built man.
Is it built or builded?+
Always built. Build is irregular: the d becomes a t. Builded does not exist. It is the same with spend → spent and send → sent.
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/build
© 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.