How to Tell the Differences Between Bring and Brought

In English, bring and brought are used almost every day. But are you confused about their meaning and the difference between them? This article will help.

Steps

  1. Image titled Tell the Differences Between Bring and Brought Step 1
    1
    Take a look at the meanings and tense differences between these two words.[1]
    • Bring is a verb that means to come to a place or convey a meaning and is a present-tense verb. Example: 'I will bring you some chocolates.'
    • Brought means exactly the same as above, but that it has already happened (past tense of bring. Brought means to bring about cause to happen.
      • Example- 'I brought you some chocolates.'
  2. Image titled Tell the Differences Between Bring and Brought Step 2
    2
    Recognize when you should use the word bring. Bring is the word you should use when you want something and that item isn't with you.[2]
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Tell the Differences Between Bring and Brought Step 3
    3
    Recognize what word you should use when you don't have the necessary ability to bring an item to you. The word you should use, when you don't have this ability, is to use brought. When you have already walked an item over to the person, use brought in place of bring.[3]
  4. Image titled Tell the Differences Between Bring and Brought Step 4
    4
    Recognize the future tense verb of the word "bring" is "will bring". It can never be "will brought". When you listen to native English speakers, you'll never hear them say "will brought".[4]
    Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    "She told me I didn't brought/bring the documents." Which one is correct?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Bring is correct.
  • Question
    "Please give me paper" or "Can you give me paper?" Which one is correct?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    They are both correct. "Can you please give me paper?" would be the most polite version.
  • Question
    "Hope you have bring" or "...have brought"?
    Tom De Backer
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    Correct is "...have brought. After 'you have', you need a past participle. Other examples are: you have done, you have said, you have seen.
  • Question
    If they bring it I will fix it or if they brought it I will fix it. Which one is correct?
    Donagan
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    It could be either, depending on the meaning. If the bringing occurred in the past, it's "brought." If it occurs in the present or future, it's "bring."
  • Question
    To be brought or to be bring?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    To be brought. When "to be" is used before the verb, you use the past participle. E.g., "This needs to be done today," "She wants to be paid more."
  • Question
    "It being a dark night, you must (bring/brought) at least a pocket torch with yourself," which is used?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Bring, as brought is past tense.
  • Question
    Which is right: "Did you brought your pillow?" or "Did you bring your pillow?"
    Blu
    Blu
    Community Answer
    The correct tense in this situation is bring, so you would write or say, "Did you bring your pillow?"
  • Question
    Which is correct "I have not bring" or "I have not brought"?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    "I have not brought" would be correct, because the word "bring" is in the present tense and "brought" is past tense. When you put the word "have" in front of another verb, it implies that you're speaking in past tense.
  • Question
    "Hope you have bring..." Is this correct?
    Donagan
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    It's "have brought."
  • Question
    "Will be brought" - is it right?
    Donagan
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes. An example would be, "the entire set of dishes will be brought."

Warnings

  • It's easy to think of bring as being present tense, because the future of these actions are often very near. Though the future may only be an instant later, it is still in the future.
    Thanks!


Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Learn English
How to
Learn English
Teach English As a Second Language to Beginners
How to
Teach English As a Second Language to Beginners
Speak American English
How to
Speak American English
Improve English Communication Skills
How to
Improve English Communication Skills
Speak English
How to
Speak English
Improve Your English Speaking Skills
How to
Improve Your English Speaking Skills
Improve Your English
How to
Improve Your English
Tell the Differences Between Take and Took
How to
Tell the Differences Between Take and Took
Learn English Faster
How to
Learn English Faster
Communicate with a Non Native English Speaker
How to
Communicate with a Non Native English Speaker
Become an Advanced English Speaker
How to
Become an Advanced English Speaker
Develop Fluency in English
How to
Develop Fluency in English
Study the English Language
How to
Study the English Language
Learn English Easily
How to
Learn English Easily
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://writingexplained.org/brung-or-brought
  2. ↑ https://writingexplained.org/brung-or-brought
  3. ↑ https://www.wordwebonline.com/en/BRING
  4. ↑ https://writingexplained.org/brought-vs-bought-difference

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 54,830 times.
24 votes - 92%
Co-authors: 8
Updated: June 4, 2020
Views: 54,830
Categories: English as a Second Language (ESL)
Advertisement