The verb to rid · Conjugation
Past Simple of rid
The answer: rid
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to rid is rid.
Example: They rid the garden of weeds.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | rid |
| You | rid |
| He / She / It | rid |
| We | rid |
| You (pl.) | rid |
| They | rid |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Ridded ❌
Rid does not change, like cut, put and hit: They rid the garden of weeds.
2. Rid alone in conversation
When you speak, choose get rid of: I got rid of my old bike. It sounds much more natural than rid alone.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of rid?+
Rid (no change), like cut, put, hit and broadcast.
What does get rid of mean?+
Get rid of means to throw away or remove something that you don't want. I got rid of my old clothes. It is a very common expression.
Is it rid or get rid of?+
Rid alone is formal. Get rid of is everyday spoken English. When you speak, always say get rid of. In formal writing, you can find rid.
Is it rid or ridded?+
Rid does not change. Ridded exists, but it is very rare and not recommended. Choose rid.
What does riddance mean?+
Riddance is the noun from rid. You find it mostly in Good riddance!: you are happy that someone or something has gone.
Related pages: rid 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/rid/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 rid are coming soon.