The verb to see · Conjugation
Past Simple of see
The answer: saw
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to see is saw.
Example: I saw a great film yesterday.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | saw |
| You | saw |
| He / She / It | saw |
| We | saw |
| You (pl.) | saw |
| They | saw |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Seed ❌
See is an irregular verb. Its Past Simple is saw, never seed. (A seed is a word, but it is a noun: a plant grows from it.)
2. I have saw the film ❌
Saw = Past Simple (used alone). Seen = past participle (after have / has). I saw the film yesterday (a finished time). I have seen the film (an experience, no time given).
3. I am seeing a bird ❌
Verbs of the senses like see, hear and smell usually don't take -ing in the present. I see a bird ✓, not I am seeing a bird ✗. Exception: I'm seeing the doctor means I have an appointment with the doctor.
Practice quiz
Going further
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of see?+
The Past Simple of see is saw. It is the same for every person: I saw, you saw, he saw, we saw, they saw.
Is it saw or seen?+
Saw is the Past Simple, used alone, for a finished time: I saw the film yesterday. Seen is the past participle, used after have / has in the Present Perfect: I have seen this film three times.
Is it I saw a film or I have seen a film?+
With a finished time: I saw a film last night (Past Simple). With no time, for an experience: I have seen a great film (Present Perfect). The time word helps you choose.
Is it didn't see or didn't saw?+
Say didn't see: I didn't see her at school. After didn't, the verb goes back to its base form (see, not saw). The past is already in did.
What is the difference between saw, looked and watched?+
See: your eyes notice something, even without trying (I saw a fox). Look: you choose to turn your eyes to something (I looked at the picture). Watch: you follow something that moves or changes (We watched a match).
Related pages: see 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/see/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 see are coming soon.