The verb to saw · Conjugation
Past Simple of saw
The answer: sawed
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to saw is sawed.
Example: He sawed the plank in half.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | sawed |
| You | sawed |
| He / She / It | sawed |
| We | sawed |
| You (pl.) | sawed |
| They | sawed |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Saw (to cut) ≠ saw (the past of see)
Same spelling, different meanings. I saw a film (I watched it) and I saw wood (I cut it) look the same. Read the whole sentence.
2. Sawn (UK) / sawed (US)
For the past participle, British English prefers sawn and American English prefers sawed: The tree has been sawn in half.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of saw (to cut)?+
The Past Simple is sawed. The past participle is sawn (UK) or sawed (US). Saw → sawed → sawn / sawed.
Is saw (to cut) the same as saw (the past of see)?+
No, but they look and sound the same: /sɔː/. The context shows the meaning. I saw a film is the past of see. I saw wood every weekend is the present of saw (to cut).
What is a saw?+
A saw (noun) is a tool for cutting wood. A sawmill is a factory that cuts trees into wood. A chainsaw is a saw with an engine. These are words for tools and DIY.
What is a sawmill?+
A sawmill is a factory where big machines cut trees into planks. The word comes from saw (to cut) + mill (a building with machines).
Why is there one word for cutting and seeing?+
It is a coincidence of history. Saw (to cut) comes from the noun saw (the tool). Saw (the past of see) comes from a different old word. Over time, the two words ended up with the same form.
Related pages: saw 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/saw/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 saw are coming soon.