Irregular verb
The verb to spin
spin → spun → spun
B2Meaning: to turn round and round quickly; to make thread from wool · Type: irregular
Key points to remember
- Present Simple:
I/you/we/they spin·he/she/it spins - Past Simple:
spun(i → u) - Past participle:
spun - -ing form:
spinning(double n)
Conjugation of the verb to spin
Present Simple
| I | spin |
| You | spin |
| He / She / It | spins |
| We | spin |
| You (pl.) | spin |
| They | spin |
Past Simple
| I | spun |
| You | spun |
| He / She / It | spun |
| We | spun |
| You (pl.) | spun |
| They | spun |
All the forms of the verb to spin
Present Simple
Full pagespin / spins
“The wheel spins fast.”
See the pagePresent Continuous
Full pageam / is / are spinning
“I am spinning the wheel right now.”
See the pagePast Simple
Full pagespun
“She spun around.”
See the pagePast Continuous
Full pagewas / were spinning
“I was spinning the wheel when the phone rang.”
See the pagePresent Perfect
Full pagehave / has spun
“I have already spun the wheel.”
See the pagePast Perfect
Full pagehad spun
“She had already spun the wheel when I arrived.”
See the pageFuture Simple
Full pagewill spin
“I will spin the wheel tomorrow.”
See the pageGoing to Future
Full pageam / is / are going to spin
“I'm going to spin the wheel this weekend.”
See the pageConditional (would)
Full pagewould spin
“I would spin the wheel if I had time.”
See the pageHow to use to spin
1. Turning round and round
- The Earth spins on its axis.
2. Spinning wool
Here spin means to turn wool or cotton into thread.
- She spins wool.
3. Feeling dizzy
My head is spinning = I feel dizzy, or I have too much to think about.
- My head is spinning.
A common mistake
1. Spinned ❌
Spin is irregular: spun in the Past Simple and the past participle, like swing → swung. She spun around.
What's next?
You can conjugate to spin. Now say it out loud.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past simple of spin?+
The Past Simple of spin is spun. It belongs to the i → u family: sting → stung, swing → swung, fling → flung. Three forms: spin → spun → spun.
What is a spinning class?+
Spinning is an indoor cycling class: you ride a bike that does not move, with music and a coach. Spinning was a brand name, and now people use it as a normal word. It is very good exercise for your heart. You also hear indoor cycling.
What does spin a story mean?+
Spin a story (figurative) means to tell a story that is not completely true, often to make people believe something. In politics and business, spin is information that hides the bad parts of the truth. A spin doctor is a person whose job is to do this.
What does my head is spinning mean?+
My head is spinning means you feel dizzy, as if everything is turning around you. It can also mean that you have too much information at the same time. After the meeting, my head was spinning.
Is it spun or spinned?+
Always spun. Spin is irregular: its Past Simple is spun. Spinned does not exist. Other verbs with the same pattern: sting, swing, fling, dig, cling.
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/spin
© 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.