The verb to shut · Conjugation
Past Simple of shut
The answer: shut
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to shut is shut.
Example: I shut the door yesterday.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | shut |
| You | shut |
| He / She / It | shut |
| We | shut |
| You (pl.) | shut |
| They | shut |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Shutted ❌
Shut never changes: shut → shut → shut. Other verbs work in the same way: cut, hit, hurt, let, put, set.
2. Shuting ❌
Short verbs that end in one vowel + one consonant double the consonant: shut → shutting (two t's), never shuting.
3. Shut up! to someone you don't know ❌
Shut up means stop talking, but it is rude. Don't say it to someone you don't know well. Say Be quiet, please or Could you stop, please?
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of shut?+
The Past Simple of shut is shut, the same as the base form. The past participle is also shut. All three forms are the same: shut → shut → shut.
Why is it not shutted?+
Because shut never changes. It belongs to a group of verbs with three identical forms: cut, hit, hurt, let, put, set, shut.
Why does shutting have two t's?+
Short verbs that end in one vowel + one consonant (shut) double the last consonant before -ing: shut → shutting. The same happens with run → running.
Is it shut the door or close the door?+
Both are correct, and both mean to close. Close is more neutral and a bit more formal. Shut is stronger and more common in speech. Shut the door! sounds sharper than Close the door, please.
Is shut up rude?+
Yes, it can be. Shut up means stop talking, and it is very informal. Don't use it when you want to be polite. Say Be quiet, please or Please stop talking instead.
Related pages: shut 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/shut/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 shut are coming soon.