Regular verb
The verb to wash
wash → washed → washed
A2Meaning: to clean something with water · Type: regular · Frequency: Top 50 English verbs
Key points to remember
- Present Simple:
wash / washes(with -es) - Past Simple:
washed - Past participle:
washed - -ing form:
washing
Conjugation of the verb to wash
Present Simple
| I | wash |
| You | wash |
| He / She / It | washes |
| We | wash |
| You (pl.) | wash |
| They | wash |
Past Simple
| I | washed |
| You | washed |
| He / She / It | washed |
| We | washed |
| You (pl.) | washed |
| They | washed |
All the forms of the verb to wash
Present Simple
Full pagewash / washes
“I wash my hands.”
See the pagePresent Continuous
Full pageam / is / are washing
“I am washing the car right now.”
See the pagePast Simple
Full pagewashed
“I washed the car.”
See the pagePast Continuous
Full pagewas / were washing
“I was washing the car when the phone rang.”
See the pagePresent Perfect
Full pagehave / has washed
“I have already washed the car.”
See the pagePast Perfect
Full pagehad washed
“She had already washed the car when I arrived.”
See the pageFuture Simple
Full pagewill wash
“I will wash the car tomorrow.”
See the pageGoing to Future
Full pageam / is / are going to wash
“I'm going to wash the car this weekend.”
See the pageConditional (would)
Full pagewould wash
“I would wash the car if I had time.”
See the pageHow to use to wash
1. Washing something
- Wash your hands.
2. Washing up (UK)
In British English, wash up means to wash the plates, glasses and cutlery after a meal.
- I'll wash up.
A common mistake
1. Where is the washroom? in the UK ❌
Washroom means a public toilet in American and Canadian English. In the UK, people say toilet or loo (informal): Where is the toilet, please?
Going further
Conjugating to wash is a key skill in the English contest
Every year, the Big Challenge tests the key English verbs. Register your students so they can check their level in a real contest.
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Practise on PLAYYou can conjugate to wash. Now say it out loud.
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For teachersReady-made activities to practise to wash in class
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Related pages: wash
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Frequently asked questions
What is the past simple of wash?+
The Past Simple of wash is washed. It is a regular verb: wash + -ed. In the Present Simple, add -es after he, she and it: she washes.
What is the difference between wash and clean?+
Wash means to clean something with water (and often soap): the dishes, clothes, a car, your hands. Clean is more general, for example for surfaces. Wash the dishes. Clean the floor.
Does wash up mean the same in the UK and the US?+
No! In the UK, wash up means to wash the plates, glasses and cutlery after a meal. In the US, wash up means to wash your hands and face. For the plates, people in the US say do the dishes.
Is it washing machine or washer?+
In the UK, say washing machine. In the US, people say washer or washing machine. A dishwasher washes plates and glasses (in every country). A dryer dries clothes.
What does brainwash mean?+
Brainwash means to make someone believe something by putting pressure on their mind again and again. It is not about real washing! The group brainwashed its members.
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/wash
© 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.