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Remember this!

The past tense form of 'overtake' is overtook. Example: He overtook the leading runner in the final stretch of the race. (He overtook the leading runner in the final stretch of the race.)

Definition of “overtake”

to catch up with and pass by
to surpass or exceed in performance or achievement

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	overtook
Past Continuous	overtaking
Past Perfect	overtaken

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

He overtook the car in front of him.

Example

We overtook the other team in the standings.

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 moment, she was overtaking her opponents.

Example

I wasn't overtaking anyone on the highway.

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 they reached the finish line, he had overtaken all the other runners.

Example

She had overtaken her previous record by a wide margin.

Is overtook an irregular verb in the past?

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

Learn More About Tenses

Discover the present tense of overtake!

Discover the future tense of overtake!