Irregular verb
The verb to stick
stick → stuck → stuck
B1Meaning: to fix something with glue; to push something sharp into · Type: irregular · Frequency: Top 100 English verbs
Key points to remember
- Present Simple:
I/you/we/they stick·he/she/it sticks - Past Simple:
stuck - Past participle:
stuck(the same as the Past Simple) - -ing form:
sticking
Conjugation of the verb to stick
Present Simple
| I | stick |
| You | stick |
| He / She / It | sticks |
| We | stick |
| You (pl.) | stick |
| They | stick |
Past Simple
| I | stuck |
| You | stuck |
| He / She / It | stuck |
| We | stuck |
| You (pl.) | stuck |
| They | stuck |
All the forms of the verb to stick
Present Simple
Full pagestick / sticks
“I stick photos on the wall.”
See the pagePresent Continuous
Full pageam / is / are sticking
“I am sticking a stamp on the envelope right now.”
See the pagePast Simple
Full pagestuck
“The gum stuck to my shoe.”
See the pagePast Continuous
Full pagewas / were sticking
“I was sticking a stamp on the envelope when the phone rang.”
See the pagePresent Perfect
Full pagehave / has stuck
“I have already stuck a stamp on the envelope.”
See the pagePast Perfect
Full pagehad stuck
“She had already stuck a stamp on the envelope when I arrived.”
See the pageFuture Simple
Full pagewill stick
“I will stick a stamp on the envelope tomorrow.”
See the pageGoing to Future
Full pageam / is / are going to stick
“I'm going to stick a stamp on the envelope this weekend.”
See the pageConditional (would)
Full pagewould stick
“I would stick a stamp on the envelope if I had time.”
See the pageHow to use to stick
1. Sticking something (with glue or tape)
- Stick this photo on the wall.
- The label won't stick.
2. Being stuck
Stuck means not able to move or not able to go on. It can be physical or about a problem.
- I'm stuck in traffic.
- I got stuck on question 5.
3. Phrasal verbs: stick to / stick with
Stick to a plan means to keep to it and not change it. Stick with someone means to stay with them.
- Stick to the plan.
- Stick with me.
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Sticky = covered in something that sticks
Stick + -y = sticky (an adjective). Sticky fingers have glue, honey or sugar on them. Sticky tape is tape that sticks.
2. Sticker = a picture that sticks
Stick + -er = sticker: a small picture with glue on the back. She has stickers all over her laptop.
What's next?
You can conjugate to stick. Now say it out loud.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past simple of stick?+
The Past Simple of stick is stuck. The past participle is also stuck. Stick → stuck → stuck.
What does I'm stuck mean?+
I'm stuck means you cannot move or cannot go on. It can be physical: I'm stuck in traffic. I'm stuck in the lift. It can also be about a problem: I'm stuck on this question (I can't find the answer). It is very common!
What does stick to mean?+
Stick to something means to keep doing it and not change. Stick to the plan. Stick to the rules. Stick to your guns means to keep your opinion when other people disagree.
Can stick be a noun?+
Yes, and it has several meanings: a thin piece of wood (a wooden stick), chopsticks for eating, a hockey stick, a walking stick (to help you walk) and a stick of gum.
Is it stuck or sticked?+
Say stuck. Stick is irregular: its Past Simple is stuck, never sticked.
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/stick
© 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.