The Past Tense of Sing: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

If you have ever been curious about the correct past tense of sing, this article will clear that up plus give you a look into the history of the word, the definition, and everything else you could want to learn about the word and how to use it in English grammar.

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What Is the Definition of the Word Sing?

The word sing is defined as:

  • to produce musical tones by means of the voice
  • to utter words in musical tones and with musical inflections and modulations
  • to deliver songs as a trained or professional singer
  • to make a shrill whining or whistling sound
  • to relate or celebrate something in verse
  • to compose poetry
  • to create in or through words a feeling or sense of song 
    • prose that sings
  • to produce musical or harmonious sounds 
    • birds singing
  • BUZZ, RING
  • to make a cry : CALL
  • to give information or evidence
  • to utter with musical inflections
    • especially : to interpret in musical tones produced by the voice
  • to relate or celebrate in verse
  • CHANT, INTONE
  • to bring or accompany to a place or state by singing
    • sings the child to sleep

How Do You Conjugate Sing?

Here are the other verb conjugations and verb forms of the irregular verb sing conjugated in the third person singular “he/she/it”:

Base Form (Infinitive/Simple Present Tense)sing
Simple Past Tensesang
Past Participlesung
Present Perfect TensePresent Participle/Gerundsinging

The History and Origin of the Word

The modern English word sing originates from the Old English word singan, meaning to chant, sing, celebrate, or tell in a song with musical sounds. The Proto-Germanic word is sengwan from the PIE root sengwh- literally means to sing, make an incantation. The slang meaning from the 1600s means to  confess to authorities, typically used by criminals. 

Synonyms of Sing

  • Carol- to sing especially in a joyful manner
    • to sing carols
    • specifically : to go about outdoors in a group singing Christmas carols
  • Chant-  to make melodic sounds with the voice
    • especially : to sing a chant
  • Descant-  a melody or counterpoint sung above the plainsong of the tenor
  • Vocalize- to give voice to : UTTER

–    Croon- to produce low, soft musical tones with the voice 

–     croon a lullaby

–    Hum- to fly, turn, or move rapidly with a fluttering or vibratory sound 

–    a helicopter hummed overhead

–    Intonate- to utter in musical or drawn out tones 

–    the priest then proceeded to intonate the prayer’s familiar opening words

–     to utter in musical or drawn out tones 

  • “The day is begun,” the narrator intoned
  • Cry- a loud vocal expression of strong emotion 
    • a cry of despair arose when the smoke of the bomb blast cleared
  • Call- a natural vocal sound made by an animal 
    • a ranger who could immediately identify the call of every creature in the forest
    • Bellow- to make a long loud deep noise or cry 
    • the cow bellowed for her calf
    • Jam- as in jam, sing
    • Songfest- as in hootenanny, jam

Example Sentences With the Word Sing

  • She sings in the choir. 
  •  The children danced and sang. 
  •  He sang softly to the baby. 
  •  She’s a great actress, and she can dance and sing, too. 
  •  We all stood and sang the national anthem. 
  •  I can’t sing the high notes. 
  •  Do you hear the birds singing? 
  •  The kettle sang on the stove. 
  •  The bullet sang past his helmet.

Examples of the Word in Context

Summary

Next time you need to write the word sing, you will be well prepared for everything you need to know what it is and how to use it efficiently in the English language. You should feel confident with the different conjugations, the history of the word, and the definition. 

Sources:

  1. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sing
  2. https://conjugator.reverso.net/conjugation-english-verb-sing.html
  3. https://www.etymonline.com/word/sing
  4. https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2020/08/21/work-home-tips-bonding-colleagues-screen-as-cubicle/5616104002/
  5. https://www.glamour.com/story/serena-williams-alexis-ohanian-olympia-family-moments
  6. https://www.bonappetit.com/story/palya-makes-nearly-any-vegetable-sing
  7. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/thanksgiving-ideas/a22841348/thanksgiving-songs/
  8. https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/On-the-bright-side-Next-gen-gets-face-masks-one-15400560.php
  9. https://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2015-04-03/50-things-to-do-in-europe-before-you-die-germany-italy-france-greece
  10. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/a32686481/agt-2020-archie-williams-true-story/
  11. https://www.al.com/life/2020/07/how-to-watch-disney-channel-summer-sing-along-710-live-stream-time-tv-list-of-performers.html