Past Tense of Cut

The past tense of "cut" is "cut".

Understanding the Verb "Cut"

"Cut" means to divide something using a sharp tool. You might cut paper with scissors, cut hair with shears, or cut vegetables with a knife.

Here are some examples:

  • I cut the paper into small pieces.
  • She cuts her hair every month.
  • They cut the cake into slices.

The Past Tense of "Cut"

The past tense of "cut" is simply "cut". It remains the same, which can be confusing for learners.

Consider these examples:

  • Yesterday, I cut my finger while cooking.
  • He cut the grass last weekend.
  • They cut ties with the old supplier last year.

Unlike regular verbs that add "-ed" to form the past tense, "cut" does not change. Similar irregular verbs include "put" and "set", which also remain unchanged in the past tense.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

A common mistake is using "cutted" instead of "cut". "Cutted" is incorrect. Here are examples to clarify:

  • Incorrect: She cutted the fabric.
  • Correct: She cut the fabric.

Another mistake is confusing "cut" with similar-sounding verbs. For instance:

  • Incorrect: He cat the ribbon at the event.
  • Correct: He cut the ribbon at the event.

To remember the correct form, associate "cut" with other irregular verbs that don’t change in the past tense. Practice helps reinforce this knowledge.

Additional Rules and Examples

When using "cut" in different tenses, it's essential to understand its placement in a sentence. For example:

  • Present: I cut the bread every morning.
  • Past: I cut the bread yesterday.
  • Future: I will cut the bread tomorrow.

Examples with different contexts:

  • He cut the rope to free the boat.
  • She cut the apple into slices.
  • They cut costs to increase profits.

Practice Exercises

  1. Fill in the blanks with the past tense of "cut":
    • Last night, I ________ the vegetables for dinner.
    • She ________ her finger on a sharp edge yesterday.
    • They ________ the ribbon at the opening ceremony.
    • He ________ the strings of the old guitar.
    • We ________ the budget by 20% last quarter.
  2. Correct the mistakes in the following sentences:
    • He cutted the paper with scissors.
    • She cuts the grass last week.
    • They cutted the wires before leaving.
  3. Transform these sentences into the past tense:
    • I cut the cake into pieces.
    • She cuts her hair every month.
    • They cut costs to save money.