If you have ever been curious about the correct past tense of swim, 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 using the word in the English language.
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: to propel oneself in water by natural means (such as movements of the limbs, fins, or tail)
to play in the water (as at a beach or swimming pool)
to move with a motion like that of swimming: GLIDE
a cloud swam slowly across the moon
to float on a liquid: not sink
to surmount difficulties: not go under
sink or swim, live or die, survive or perish— Daniel Webster
to become immersed in or flooded with or as if with a liquid
potatoes swimming in gravy
to have a floating or reeling appearance or sensation
to cross by propelling oneself through water
swim a stream
to cause to swim or float
a smooth gliding motion
a temporary dizziness or unconsciousness
an area frequented by fish
the main current of activity
How Do You Conjugate Swim?
Here are the other verb conjugations of the irregular verb swim:
Base Form (Infinitive):
Swim
Simple Past Tense:
Swum
Past Participle:
Swum
Simple Present Tense, Third Person Singular, He/She/It:
Swims
Present Participle/Gerund:
Swimming
Past Perfect:
Had Swum
Present Perfect Tense:
Have swum
The History and Origin of the Word
Verb-
The Old English word swimman, to move in or on the water, is from the Proto-Germanic word swimjan from PIE root swem, which means to be in motion. It has been said this word is unique to German, however other languages such as Welsh, Irish, and Lithuania. In the 15th century the figurative phrase sink or swim was used in the events there was a suspected witch. In the 1500s the transitive sense meant to cross by swimming. To reel or move unsteadily was used in the late 1600s, and in the 1700s swim was used to refer to the head, for example, my head is swimming.
Noun-
In the 1540s the word swim was used to describe the clear part of a body of water above the sediment. In the 1800s the word was used by fishermen to describe part of a river where fish frequently visit. This century also used the word in a figurative sense meaning the current or latest affairs. The simple act of swimming was used in the 1700s for example, I am going for a swim.
Next time you need to write the word swim, you will be well prepared for everything you need to know what it is and how to use it efficiently within English grammar. You should feel confident with the different conjugations, the history of the word, and the definition.
Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.
Kevin
November 19, 2020
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