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The verb to shoot · Conjugation

Past Simple of shoot

The answer: shot

A2

A finished action at a definite time in the past.

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Quick answer

The Past Simple of the verb to shoot is shot.

Example: He shot an arrow.

Full conjugation in the Past Simple

PronounForm
Ishot
Youshot
He / She / Itshot
Weshot
You (pl.)shot
Theyshot

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Shooted ❌

Shoot is an irregular verb. Its Past Simple is shot, never shooted.

2. Shot is also a noun

A shot can be (1) the act of firing a gun or kicking a ball at the goal: Good shot! (2) a photo: a great shot of the beach. (3) in informal English, an injection: a flu shot.

3. He shot a goal ❌

In football or basketball, shoot means to try to get the ball in the goal or the basket. When it goes in, say score: He scored a goal. He shot and scored.

Practice quiz

Question 1 / 3The Big Challenge question bank

Complete the sentence: He _____ an arrow yesterday.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the past tense of shoot?+

The Past Simple of shoot is shot. The past participle is also shot (the same). Shoot → shot → shot.

Is shooted correct?+

No. Shoot is irregular. Its Past Simple is shot, never shooted.

Does shoot only mean to fire a gun?+

No, shoot has several meanings: (1) to fire a gun. (2) to make a film. (3) to kick or throw the ball at the goal: He shot at goal. To get a goal is score a goal. (4) to take a photo. (5) to grow fast (plants): The bamboo shoots up.

How do you use shoot for films?+

Say shoot a film (or a movie in American English): They shot the film in Paris. A film shoot is the time when people record the film.

What does shoot! mean?+

Shoot! (informal, mostly American) means “oh no!”: it is a polite word people say instead of a rude word. It can also mean “go on, say it!”: “Can I ask a question?” “Shoot!”

Related pages: shoot 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 →

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More forms of the verb to shoot are coming soon.