The verb to dig · Conjugation
Past Simple of dig
The answer: dug
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to dig is dug.
Example: They dug a hole in the garden.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | dug |
| You | dug |
| He / She / It | dug |
| We | dug |
| You (pl.) | dug |
| They | dug |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Digged ❌
Dig is an irregular verb. Its Past Simple is dug, never digged.
2. Diging ❌
Short verbs that end in one vowel + one consonant double the consonant: dig → digging (two g's).
3. Dig in! at a formal dinner ❌
At the start of a meal, Dig in! means start eating, help yourself! It is very informal: say it to family and friends, not at a formal dinner.
Practice quiz
What's next?
Master the Past Simple of dig when you speak, not just on paper
The conjugation is clear in your head. On PLAY, you practise it in a game, with instant feedback, until it comes out on its own.
Practise the Past Simple of dig on PLAYFree · No sign-up · 3 minutes
For teachersYour whole class practises the Past Simple of dig, and you follow each student
The Academy has self-marking activities on this form, with a dashboard for each student: you see at a glance who is falling behind.
Discover the Academy30-day free trial · No bank card needed
English contestThe English contest tests the Past Simple of dig in real sentences
Instead of a single school exercise, your students meet this tense in context, in a contest that really motivates them.
Register my students5,000 students every year · Primary and secondary
Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of dig?+
The Past Simple of dig is dug. The past participle is the same: dug. Dig → dug → dug.
Why is it not digged?+
Because dig is an irregular verb. Its Past Simple is dug, never digged.
Is it diging or digging?+
Say digging. Short verbs that end in one vowel + one consonant (dig) double the last consonant before -ing: dig → digging.
What does dig in mean?+
Dig in! is an informal way to say start eating! People often say it at the start of a meal, to family or friends: Dig in! The food is ready.
What does dig mean in slang?+
I dig it is old slang from the 1960s and 1970s. It means I like it a lot. People don't say it much today, but they still understand it.
Related pages: dig 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/dig/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.
Keep learning
More forms of the verb to dig are coming soon.