The verb to split · Conjugation
Past Simple of split
The answer: split
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to split is split.
Example: They split the cake in half.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | split |
| You | split |
| He / She / It | split |
| We | split |
| You (pl.) | split |
| They | split |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Splitted ❌
Split does not change: split → split → split. It is like cut, put, hit, let, set, shut and bet. Never add -ed.
2. Spliting ❌
The -ing form is splitting, with two t's. The consonant doubles after a short vowel, like putting, cutting and sitting.
3. A split headache ❌
Say a splitting headache: it means a very bad headache. In this fixed expression, the -ing form works as an adjective. I've got a splitting headache.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of split?+
The Past Simple of split is split, the same as the base form. The past participle is split too. Split → split → split, like cut, put and hit.
How do you know if split is present or past?+
The form is the same, so look at the context or at a time word. They split the bill can be present or past. They split the bill yesterday is past. With he, she or it, the present takes -s (She splits the bill), so She split the bill is past.
What does split up mean in English?+
Split up means to separate, for a couple or a group: They split up last year. Two other common expressions: split the bill (to share the cost) and split hairs (to argue about tiny details).
How do you make split negative in the past?+
Use didn't + split: They didn't split up. After didn't, the verb is in its base form. For split, the base form and the past form look the same.
Why does splitting have two t's?+
Before -ing, the final consonant doubles after a short, stressed vowel. Split → splitting. It is the same with put → putting, cut → cutting and sit → sitting.
Related pages: split 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/split/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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