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Remember this!

The past tense form of 'exist' is existed. Example: Dinosaurs existed millions of years ago. (Dinosaurs existed millions of years ago.)

Definition of “exist”

to have actual being
to be present in a particular place or situation

Tense sentence structure and examples:

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Here are the general structures of a present and past participle. Remember, some verbs have an irregular form and may not follow this structure: Present Participle: [Verb] -ing Past Participle: [Verb] -ed

Past Simple	existed
Past Continuous	existing
Past Perfect	existed

Past Simple

The simple past tense is used to describe completed actions or events that occurred at a specific point in the past.

Subject + Past Simple Verb + (Object)

Example

The ancient civilization existed thousands of years ago.

Example

I existed in a different time and place.

Past Continuous

The past continuous tense is used to indicate actions or events that were in progress or happening at a specific point in the past.

Subject + was/were + Present Participle + (Object)

Example

At that time, they were existing in harmony with nature.

Example

He wasn't existing in the same reality as everyone else.

Past Perfect

The past perfect tense is used to show that one past action or event occurred before another past action or event, emphasizing the order of events in the past.

Subject + had + Past Participle + (Object)

Example

By the time I was born, dinosaurs had existed for millions of years.

Example

They had existed in isolation before being discovered.

Is existed an irregular verb in the past?

No, "existed" is not an irregular past tense verb.

Learn More About Tenses

Discover the present tense of exist!

Discover the future tense of exist!