Irregular verb
The verb to burst
burst → burst → burst
B2Meaning: to break open suddenly; to come in suddenly · Type: irregular
Key points to remember
- Present Simple:
I/you/we/they burst·he/she/it bursts - Past Simple:
burst(no change) - Past participle:
burst(the same) - -ing form:
bursting
Conjugation of the verb to burst
Present Simple
| I | burst |
| You | burst |
| He / She / It | bursts |
| We | burst |
| You (pl.) | burst |
| They | burst |
Past Simple
| I | burst |
| You | burst |
| He / She / It | burst |
| We | burst |
| You (pl.) | burst |
| They | burst |
All the forms of the verb to burst
Present Simple
Full pageburst / bursts
“Balloons burst easily.”
See the pagePresent Continuous
Full pageam / is / are bursting
“I am bursting the balloon right now.”
See the pagePast Simple
Full pageburst
“The balloon burst suddenly.”
See the pagePast Continuous
Full pagewas / were bursting
“I was bursting the balloon when the phone rang.”
See the pagePresent Perfect
Full pagehave / has burst
“I have already burst the balloon.”
See the pagePast Perfect
Full pagehad burst
“She had already burst the balloon when I arrived.”
See the pageFuture Simple
Full pagewill burst
“I will burst the balloon tomorrow.”
See the pageGoing to Future
Full pageam / is / are going to burst
“I'm going to burst the balloon this weekend.”
See the pageConditional (would)
Full pagewould burst
“I would burst the balloon if I had time.”
See the pageHow to use to burst
1. Breaking open (a balloon, a pipe)
- The balloon burst.
- The pipe burst in the cold.
2. Burst into
Burst into tears means to start crying suddenly. Burst into laughter means to start laughing suddenly.
- She burst into tears.
- He burst into laughter.
3. Coming in suddenly
Burst in or burst into the room means to come in suddenly, often with a lot of noise.
- He burst into the room.
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Burst is also a noun
A burst is a short, sudden moment of something. A burst of laughter is a sudden laugh. A burst of speed is a short moment when you go much faster.
2. Bursting of energy ❌
The preposition is with: bursting with energy (very full of energy), bursting with joy (very happy). It is a useful way to say that you have a lot of something.
What's next?
You can conjugate to burst. Now say it out loud.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past simple of burst?+
The Past Simple of burst is burst: it does not change. The past participle is also burst. Burst → burst → burst. Other verbs never change either: cut, put, hit, let, set.
What does burst into tears mean?+
Burst into tears is an idiom: it means to start crying suddenly and strongly. She burst into tears when she heard the news. Similar expressions: burst into laughter, burst out crying.
What is the difference between burst and explode?+
Burst means to break open, often because of pressure inside: a balloon, a pipe, a bubble. Explode is louder and more violent, often with fire: a bomb, a gas tank. Compare The balloon burst (no damage) and The bomb exploded (damage).
What does bursting with energy mean?+
Bursting with energy means very full of energy. Bursting with + noun shows that you have a lot of a good feeling: bursting with joy (very happy), bursting with pride (very proud).
Is it burst or bursted?+
Burst is irregular and never changes. You may hear bursted in very informal or regional English, for example in some parts of the US, but it is not standard. Always use burst.
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/burst
© 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.