Past Tense of Teach: Forms, Examples, Synonyms, and Usage

The verb “teach” is irregular, and its past tense is “taught.” This article explains the basic forms, provides clear examples, and highlights common mistakes to avoid. You will also learn how to use “taught” in IELTS and TOEFL contexts with practice exercises.

I. What Is the Past Tense of Teach?

The verb “teach” is an irregular verb in English, which means its past tense form does not follow the typical rule of simply adding “-ed”. Instead, the past tense and past participle of “teach” is “taught.”

Basic Forms of “Teach”

The verb “teach” means to help someone learn something, and you’ll come across it often in both everyday conversation and English exams like IELTS or TOEFL.

Importantly, many learners mistakenly say “teached”, but this is incorrect. Since “teach” is irregular, it must use “taught” in both the simple past and past participle.

Knowing how to use “taught” correctly sets a solid foundation for improving both your grammar accuracy and writing fluency, especially in formal contexts.

• For verb accuracy in the past, review was and were.

1. How to Use “Taught” in Sentences

“Taught” is the past tense and past participle of the verb “teach,” and it is commonly used in both spoken and written English. To improve your fluency and accuracy, it's essential to learn how to use it correctly across different contexts.

Everyday Examples

In daily conversation, “taught” is often used to talk about past learning or teaching experiences:

• My father taught me how to ride a bike.
• She taught at a primary school for five years.
• They taught themselves to bake during the lockdown.

These examples follow the simple structure: [subject] + taught + [object].

Academic and Professional Contexts

In academic writing or formal discussions (e.g., IELTS or TOEFL Writing), “taught” can describe structured education or training:

• The university taught critical thinking through group projects.
• This course was taught in three separate modules.
• He was taught by one of the most respected professors in the field.

Such usage demonstrates clarity and formal tone—features valued in high-scoring essays and exams.

• To compare past forms in perfect tenses, see have been in English.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Incorrect: She teached me how to write.
• Correct: She taught me how to write.

“Teached” is never correct, even though it may look like a regular verb form. Also, don’t confuse “taught” with similar-sounding words like “thought” or “caught.”

2. Related Vocabulary and Synonyms

To express yourself more clearly and avoid repetition in writing or speaking tasks, especially in exams like IELTS or TOEFL, it’s helpful to learn related expressions and synonyms for “teach” and “taught”. These variations can add nuance and precision to your English.

Common Phrases and Collocations with “Teach”

• teach a class / lesson / subject
  Example: He taught a history class for over a decade.
• teach someone to do something
  Example: She taught me to speak confidently in public.
• teach at a school / university / institution
  Example: They teach at a language center in Bangkok.
• self-taught (adjective – learned without a formal teacher)
  Example: He’s a self-taught programmer.
• team-teach (verb – to teach together with another instructor)
  Example: The course is team-taught by two professors.

Synonyms and Related Verbs

Depending on the context, you can use the following verbs to replace or vary “teach”:

Each word has its own connotation, so using them accurately enhances both your lexical resource and fluency, particularly in writing tasks that require varied vocabulary.

• For systematic practice, check learn synonyms in English.

II. Applications in Exams and Academic Writing

Taught” is a frequent and useful verb in academic English, especially in exams like IELTS, TOEFL, APTIS, or other English proficiency tests. Knowing when and how to use it appropriately can help you score higher in both Speaking and Writing sections by demonstrating precise grammar and well-developed vocabulary.

ELTS and TOEFL Writing Contexts

In formal writing tasks, such as IELTS Writing Task 2 or TOEFL Integrated Writing, “taught” is often used to discuss education, learning methods, or skills transfer.

Examples:

• Many soft skills are best taught through real-life experience, not just theory.
• In the past, subjects like history were taught differently from how they are now.

Useful structures to practice:

• [Subject] + was taught by...
• [Skill or topic] + is often taught in...
• Students + were taught to...

These sentence patterns reflect formal tone and support stronger arguments and ideas in your essays.

Sample Sentences (Band 6.5+ Writing)

• She was taught the value of teamwork from an early age.
• Critical thinking should be taught in schools to prepare students for real-world challenges.
• Traditionally, children were taught by their parents or elders at home before formal schooling became common.

Each of these sentences clearly uses “taught” in a grammatically correct and contextually accurate way—ideal for use in academic writing tasks.

Key Notes for Usage in Task 2

• Use the passive voice structure when the subject receiving the teaching is more important than who taught them.
  Ex: “Children are taught how to manage time effectively.”
• Avoid overusing “taught” — vary with related words like instructed, educated, or introduced, where appropriate.
• Link “taught” with abstract concepts (e.g., responsibility, independence) to build complex ideas.

Mastering how to use “taught” not only helps you develop more natural and sophisticated writing, but also shows strong control over verb forms—something examiners look for when assessing Grammar Range and Accuracy.

III. Practice Exercises for Learners

To remember and use “taught” correctly, regular practice is essential. Below are simple yet effective exercises that cover different language skills: grammar, vocabulary range, and application in context.

Exercises 1. Fill-in-the-Blank (Past Simple Focus)

Complete each sentence using the correct form of “teach”:

1. My mother ______ me how to cook when I was ten.
2. They ______ English to refugees during the winter break.
3. She has ______ at that university since 2010.
4. Mr. James ______ our history class last semester.

Exercises 2. Sentence Transformation

Rewrite the following using “taught” in the past tense:

1. She teaches us French every Friday.
   → ______________________________________
2. They are teaching a course about climate change.
   → ______________________________________

Exercises 3. Error Correction

Find and correct the mistake in each sentence:

1. He teached me how to play the guitar.
2. We was taught by a famous professor.
3. I have teach this lesson before.

Answers

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V. Excel in IELTS: Tips from the Experts

PREP hopes that after reading the above article, you have gained an understanding of the definition and past forms of Teach in English. If you’re ready to learn from the best, PREP’s expert tips and insider advice will help you excel in every section of the IELTS exam.

• IELTS preparation course: Unlock Your IELTS Success Story.