The verb to cling · Conjugation
Past Simple of cling
The answer: clung
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to cling is clung.
Example: She clung to him tightly.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | clung |
| You | clung |
| He / She / It | clung |
| We | clung |
| You (pl.) | clung |
| They | clung |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Clinged ❌
Cling is irregular. It belongs to the i → u group: sting → stung, swing → swung, fling → flung, cling → clung. Never say clinged.
2. She clung him ❌
Cling needs to before its object: She clung to him. The same pattern works for ideas: cling to hope (to keep hoping), cling to power (to refuse to leave power).
3. Cling film (UK) = plastic wrap (US)
UK: cling film. US: plastic wrap or Saran wrap. It is the thin, clear plastic that you use to cover food.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of cling?+
The Past Simple of cling is clung. The past participle is the same: clung. Cling → clung → clung, like sting → stung, swing → swung and fling → flung.
Cling to or cling on?+
Use cling to + a person or thing: She clung to him. Use cling on with no object: it simply means to keep holding. Hang on, cling on!
Is clingy the same as sticky?+
Not really. Clingy is mostly about people: someone who wants to be with another person all the time, like a clingy friend. For fabric, clingy means close to the body. Sticky is for things like glue or honey.
Is it didn't cling or didn't clung?+
Say didn't cling: He didn't cling to me. After didn't, use the base form → cling.
What does cling film mean?+
Cling film (UK) is the thin, clear plastic that you put over food. In the US, it is plastic wrap or Saran wrap. Here cling means to stick to something.
Related pages: cling 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/cling/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 cling are coming soon.