The verb to light · Conjugation
Past Simple of light
The answer: lit
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to light is lit.
Example: He lit the candles.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | lit |
| You | lit |
| He / She / It | lit |
| We | lit |
| You (pl.) | lit |
| They | lit |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Lited ❌
The regular form lighted exists, but lit is much more common. Lited does not exist. Choose lit for the Past Simple and the past participle.
2. Light has three jobs
Verb (to start a flame), noun (the light) or adjective (not heavy, or pale). Same spelling: the context tells you the meaning.
3. Light the light ❌
For an electric light, say turn on the light or switch on the light. The verb light is mostly for flames: a candle or a fire.
Practice quiz
What's next?
Master the Past Simple of light 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 light on PLAYFree · No sign-up · 3 minutes
For teachersYour whole class practises the Past Simple of light, 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 light 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 light?+
The Past Simple of light is lit. The past participle is lit too. Light → lit → lit. The regular form lighted exists, but it is less common.
What is the difference between lit and lighted?+
Lit is the standard and most common form. Lighted exists, but you see it mostly as an adjective before a noun: a lighted match. For the verb, choose lit.
Is it light the light or turn on the light?+
Say turn on the light (the most common) or switch on the light. The verb light is for candles and fires. For a lamp with a switch, use turn on.
Does light have more than one meaning?+
Yes. Light can be (1) a verb: to start a flame, (2) a noun: the light from the sun or a lamp, or (3) an adjective: not heavy, or pale for a colour. Three very different uses, with the same spelling.
What does light up mean?+
Light up means to fill a place with light: The fireworks lit up the sky. It can also mean to make a place feel happy: Her smile lights up the room.
Related pages: light 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/light/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 light are coming soon.