The verb to sew · Conjugation
Past Simple of sew
The answer: sewed
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to sew is sewed.
Example: She sewed a button on my shirt.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | sewed |
| You | sewed |
| He / She / It | sewed |
| We | sewed |
| You (pl.) | sewed |
| They | sewed |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Sew, sow, so: homophones
They are all said /səʊ/, but their meanings are very different: to join cloth, to put seeds in the ground, and a linking word (so).
2. Sewn as a past participle
Sewn is very common as an adjective: a hand-sewn dress is a dress that someone sewed by hand, not with a machine.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of sew?+
The Past Simple of sew is sewed. The past participle is sewn or sewed. Sew → sewed → sewn / sewed.
How do you pronounce sew in English?+
Sew is said /səʊ/, like so or sow (to put seeds in the ground). It is not /sjuː/.
Are sew, sow and so homophones?+
Yes! Sew (to join cloth), sow (to put seeds in the ground) and so (a linking word) are all said /səʊ/. Three words, the same sound, different meanings.
What is a sewing machine?+
A sewing machine is a machine that sews cloth. A sewing kit is a small box with needles, thread and scissors.
What does sew up mean in English?+
Sew up means to close a hole or a cut with a needle and thread. The doctor sewed up the wound.
Related pages: sew 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/sew/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 sew are coming soon.