The verb to wash · Conjugation
Past Simple of wash
The answer: washed
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to wash is washed.
Example: I washed the car.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | washed |
| You | washed |
| He / She / It | washed |
| We | washed |
| You (pl.) | washed |
| They | washed |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Wash up = do the dishes, everywhere ❌
In the UK, wash up means to do the dishes. In the US, it means to wash your hands and face. People from the two countries can understand it differently!
2. Brainwash = to wash your hair ❌
Brainwash is an idiom: it means to control what someone thinks. It has nothing to do with water.
Practice quiz
Going further
The English contest tests the Past Simple of wash in real sentences
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of wash?+
Washed. Wash is a regular verb: I washed the car.
Is it wash or clean?+
Wash = to clean with water, especially dishes, clothes or a person. Clean = more general, for example for surfaces.
What is a washing machine?+
A washing machine washes clothes. A dishwasher washes plates and glasses.
What does wash up mean?+
In the UK, wash up means to wash the plates after a meal. In the US, it means to wash your hands and face. It is a difference between the two countries!
Is brainwash a real word?+
Yes. Brainwash means to control what someone thinks, for example with propaganda (false ideas repeated again and again). It is not about real washing.
Related pages: wash 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/wash/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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More forms of the verb to wash are coming soon.