The verb to weep · Conjugation
Past Simple of weep
The answer: wept
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to weep is wept.
Example: He wept when he heard the news.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | wept |
| You | wept |
| He / She / It | wept |
| We | wept |
| You (pl.) | wept |
| They | wept |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Weeped ❌
Many verbs in -eep have a past in -ept: keep → kept, sleep → slept, sweep → swept, weep → wept. Never weeped.
2. A literary verb
In speech and in daily life, say cry. Weep is literary or poetic, or for a very strong feeling (deep sadness, great joy).
3. Weeping willow = a tree
This is a fixed name. Weeping means crying here, because the long branches hang down to the ground.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of weep?+
The Past Simple of weep is wept: the long ee becomes a short e. The past participle is also wept. Weep → wept → wept, like keep → kept, sleep → slept and sweep → swept.
Is it weep or cry?+
Weep is more literary and poetic. Cry is the everyday verb, in speech and daily life. She cried at the film (normal). She wept at the news (strong feeling, literary).
What does weeping willow mean?+
A weeping willow is a type of tree. It is a fixed name. Weeping here means crying, because the long branches hang down to the ground.
Is it didn't weep or didn't wept?+
Say didn't weep: He didn't weep when he heard the news. After didn't, use the base form, weep.
Why is it wept and not weeped?+
Weep is irregular. Its Past Simple is wept: the long ee becomes short. Other -eep verbs do the same: keep → kept, sleep → slept, sweep → swept.
Related pages: weep 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/weep/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 weep are coming soon.