The verb to overcome · Conjugation
Past Simple of overcome
The answer: overcame
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to overcome is overcame.
Example: She overcame her fear.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | overcame |
| You | overcame |
| He / She / It | overcame |
| We | overcame |
| You (pl.) | overcame |
| They | overcame |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. She has overcame ❌
Same pattern as come → came → come: only two different words (overcome and overcame). After has, use overcome: She has overcome her fear.
2. Overcome by or with
With a feeling, use by: overcome by emotion, overcome by grief. With is also common: overcome with emotion.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of overcome?+
Overcame. The past participle is overcome (the same as the base form). Same pattern as come → came → come.
What is the difference between overcome and overpower?+
Overcome = to succeed against an obstacle, a fear or a challenge. Overpower = to defeat someone with force. Overpower is more physical.
What is We Shall Overcome?+
We Shall Overcome is the anthem of the civil rights movement in the USA in the 1960s. It is a symbol of resistance and hope.
What does overcome by emotion mean?+
Overcome by emotion = so full of a feeling that you cannot control it. She was overcome by joy.
Is it overcame or overcomed?+
Overcome = over + come. It works like come → came → come. Overcomed does not exist.
Related pages: overcome 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/overcome/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 overcome are coming soon.