Past Tense of Swing? Is It Swing, Swang, or Swung?

If you’ve ever paused mid-sentence wondering whether to say “swinged,” “swang,” or “swung,” you’re not alone. English verbs can be tricky, especially irregular verbs like swing. So what’s the correct past tense of swing? Is it swing, swang, or swung? Let’s break it down, dive deep into the grammar, usage, pronunciation, and more so you never second-guess again.

Quick Summary

The correct past tense of swing is swung, not swang or swinged. While swang appears in old literature or poetic dialects, it’s no longer accepted in modern English grammar. Swung is both the simple past and past participle form, making it the right choice in every formal context. As an irregular verb, swing follows its own pattern—similar to words like bring → brought or sing → sung. Whether you’re writing, speaking, or teaching, always remember: swing now, swung later.

Quick Answer — The Correct Past Tense of “Swing”

The correct past tense of swing is swung.

• I swung the bat.
• I swang the bat.
• I swinged the bat.

While swang might pop up occasionally in poetry or dialects, it’s not considered correct in modern standard English.

Swing vs Swang vs Swung — Breaking It Down

Let’s explore these three options:

Swing (present tense)

Used when the action is happening now:

“I swing on the playground every afternoon.”

Swung (correct past tense and past participle)

“He swung the door open.”

Swang (rare, poetic or dialectical)

You may find swang in older texts, folk songs, or certain dialects. Example:

“And she swang her arms in time with the tune.”
Still, it’s outdated and rarely used today.

Swinged (incorrect)

This form doesn’t exist in proper English grammar. Avoid it entirely.

Bold takeaway: Always use swung as the swing past tense in modern writing.

What Does “Swing” Actually Mean?

At its core, “swing” refers to motion—often rhythmic or back-and-forth. But its meanings vary by context:

Common Definitions:

• Physical movement: To move to and fro, like a pendulum.
• Sport: To swing a bat, racket, or club.
• Slang: To swing by (visit casually) or “swing” a mood or opinion.
• Music: To play with a rhythmic groove (as in jazz).

Usage Examples:

• “The kids swing from the jungle gym.”
• “She swung her purse at the thief.”
• “They swung by my place for a quick hello.”

Past, Present, and Past Participle — Tense Table for “Swing”

Here’s a quick overview of swing verb forms:

Tense	Verb Form	Example Sentence
Base	swing	I swing every weekend.
Simple Past	swung	He swung the bat hard.
Past Participle	swung	They had swung open the gate.
Present Participle	swinging	The pendulum is swinging gently.
Third Person Singular	swings	She swings really high on the swing set.

Fun Fact: The form “swung” has remained consistent over centuries as both the past tense and past participle.

Why “Swung” Is the Correct Past Tense

The verb swing is an irregular verb, meaning it doesn’t follow the usual -ed ending rule. Instead of “swinged,” the language evolved to use “swung.”

Here’s why:

• Historical grammar patterns: Old English verb roots often shifted vowels for past tense (e.g., sing → sang → sung; ring → rang → rung).
• But swing doesn’t follow the exact pattern. It skipped “swang” and settled on “swung.”
• Swang was once occasionally used in Old/Middle English and early modern poetry, but it never stuck as the standard form.

Key rule: In current grammar, swung is correct 100% of the time.

Explore further:

• Cacoon or Cocoon: Which Spelling is Correct?
• What is Plural of Fox and What is Plural of Ox?
• Skill Set Or Skillset And Skill-Set: Which Is Actually Correct?
• Compare and Contrast: Definitions, Differences, and Examples
• Afterward or Afterwards: Is There Any Difference?

Is “Swang” a Real Word?

Technically, yes—but it’s archaic and poetic.

Where you might see “swang”:

• Older literature
• Folk lyrics
• Dialects in rural areas or historical reenactments

Example from old literature:

“The door swang wide, groaning on its hinges.”

Should you use it?

No. Unless you’re writing period drama, stick with swung.

How to Pronounce “Swing” and “Swung”

Mastering swing pronunciation helps with speaking and listening comprehension.

How to Pronounce “Swing”:

• Phonetic: /swɪŋ/
• Rhymes with: king, ring
• Example: “The kids swing so high it scares me!”

How to Pronounce “Swung”:

• Phonetic: /swʌŋ/
• Rhymes with: hung, sung
• Example: “She swung the rope across the river.”

Tip: Practice both by using tongue twisters: “Sam swung six swinging swords.”

Examples of “Swing” and “Swung” in Sentences

Using “Swing” in Sentences:

• “They swing for hours after school.”
• “I never swing at the first pitch.”

Using “Swung” in Sentences:

• “He swung the axe and hit the target.”
• “The chandelier swung wildly during the earthquake.”

These swing past tense examples sentences give you real-world usage that sticks.

Synonyms for Swing and Swung

Enhance your vocabulary by knowing alternatives.

Synonyms for “Swing”:

• sway
• rock
• dangle
• rotate
• oscillate

Synonyms for “Swung”:

• swayed
• looped
• arced
• pivoted
• twirled

Note: Synonyms may differ depending on context. Always double-check meaning.

The Origin and Evolution of the Word “Swing”

Understanding the etymology gives extra clarity.

Origin of “Swing”:

• Old English: swingan – “to beat, strike, rush”
• Related to Old Norse: sveggja (to swing, turn)
• Entered Middle English as “swengen,” then simplified over time

The swing past tense “swung” gained traction due to vowel mutation patterns in Old English, similar to ring/rung or cling/clung.

Linguist quote: “Swung is a classic example of how strong verbs retain their identity despite the trend toward regularization.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When using the past tense of swing, don’t fall for these traps:

• Swinged: Not a word.
• Swang (in formal English): Incorrect.
• Swung: Always correct.

Also, don’t confuse swing’s verb conjugation with similar words:

Verb	Present	Past	Past Participle
Sing	sing	sang	sung
Ring	ring	rang	rung
Swing	swing	swung	swung

FAQs About Swing, Swang, and Swung

• Is it swinged or swang?
  Neither is correct. Always use swung as the past tense of swing.

• Is swinged or swung past tense?
  Swung is the only grammatically correct form.

• How do you use swang in a sentence?
  Example (informal/poetic): “He swang from vine to vine like Tarzan.”

• What is a swing swang?
  Not a standard phrase—”swing swang” might be playful or poetic repetition, but it’s not formal English.

• Is there a word swang?
  Yes, but it’s archaic. Not used in modern standard English.

Final Thoughts — Stick With Swung

Let’s sum it up:

• The correct past tense of swing is swung.
• Avoid using “swang” or “swinged” in modern writing.
• Use “swung” for both past simple and past participle forms.
• Keep your grammar tight and polished with this irregular verb.

By understanding not just the correct form but also its history, pronunciation, and common pitfalls, you’re now equipped to swing into proper grammar every time.