The verb to sow · Conjugation
Past Simple of sow
The answer: sowed
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to sow is sowed.
Example: He sowed wheat in the field.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | sowed |
| You | sowed |
| He / She / It | sowed |
| We | sowed |
| You (pl.) | sowed |
| They | sowed |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Sow /səʊ/ ≠ sow /saʊ/
Same spelling, two words. Sow /səʊ/ = to put seeds in the ground (verb). Sow /saʊ/ = a female pig (noun). The context tells you which one it is.
2. Sown or sowed as the past participle?
Both are correct. Sown is the older, traditional form (many old verbs end in -n). Sowed is the newer, regular form. In careful writing, sown is the safer choice.
3. Sow ≠ sew
Watch the spelling! Sow /səʊ/ = to put seeds in the ground. Sew /səʊ/ = to use a needle and thread. Same sound, different meaning: the context tells you which one it is.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of sow?+
The Past Simple of sow is sowed (regular). The past participle is sown (irregular, with -n) or sowed (regular, also correct). Sow → sowed → sown/sowed.
How do you pronounce sow?+
The verb sow (to put seeds in the ground) is /səʊ/, like so. Be careful: the noun sow (a female pig) is /saʊ/, like cow! Same spelling, two words.
Is it sow or plant?+
Sow = to spread a lot of seeds, often on a farm. Plant = to put plants in the ground one by one, often in a garden. Farmers sow wheat. Gardeners plant tomatoes.
Is it didn't sow or didn't sowed?+
Say didn't sow: He didn't sow any seeds this year. After didn't, the verb goes back to its base form (sow, not sowed).
What does “you reap what you sow” mean?+
It is an old proverb from the Bible: your actions have results, good or bad. There is also the expression sow the seeds of something: to start something that will grow later. Their first meeting sowed the seeds of a long friendship.
Related pages: sow 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/sow/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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