Shown or Showed: Which Is Correct?
Updated · Which One Is Correct editorial team
Quick answer: Both forms are correct. Use showed as the simple past tense of show. Use shown as the standard past participle in modern English. Old texts sometimes use showed as a participle, but shown is now the norm for perfect tenses.
The Short Answer
Both forms are grammatically correct, but they serve different roles in a sentence. You should use showed for simple past actions and shown for perfect tenses or passive voice constructions in contemporary writing.
Confusion arises because many verbs have irregular forms that look similar. Since show is an irregular verb, its past participle changed over time. Older literature often used showed as the participle, leading modern writers to wonder which form is currently standard.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Form | Status | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Showed | Simple Past Tense | Describing a completed action in the past without helping verbs. |
| Shown | Past Participle | Using has, have, had, or was to create perfect or passive tenses. |
| Showed | Archaic Participle | Reading older texts where showed functioned as the past participle. |
| Showen | Obsolete | Encountering very old poetry or historical documents pre-dating modern spelling. |
Correct Example Sentences
- The teacher showed the class a fascinating documentary about marine life.
- She has shown remarkable courage in facing her health challenges.
- We have shown the visitors around the entire museum.
- The magician showed a rabbit from his empty hat.
- The data has been shown to support the new theory.
- He showed me the shortcut through the woods yesterday.
- The results were shown on the large screen for everyone.
- I have shown you this picture before, so please look again.
- The guide showed us the ancient ruins of the city.
- The evidence has been shown to be conclusive and undeniable.
Common Mistakes and Fixes
- I have showed him the door already.
- I have shown him the door already.
- She has showed great promise in her career.
- She has shown great promise in her career.
- The results were showed to the committee.
- The results were shown to the committee.
- He has showed no interest in the project.
- He has shown no interest in the project.
- We have showed them how to do it.
- We have shown them how to do it.
- The movie has been showed in theaters.
- The movie has been shown in theaters.
A Quick Test You Can Use
Check for helping verbs like has, have, had, or was. If your sentence includes one of these words before the verb, you almost certainly need the past participle shown. If the verb stands alone to describe a past event, use showed.
Related Word Pairs
- Lay or Lie
- Use lay for placing an object; use lie for reclining yourself.
- Who or Whom
- Use who as the subject; use whom as the object of a verb or preposition.
- Effect or Affect
- Use affect as a verb; use effect as a noun meaning result.
- Then or Than
- Use then for time sequences; use than for comparisons between items.
- Loose or Lose
- Use loose for not tight; use lose for misplacing or failing to win.
More Example Sentences
- The scientist has shown the data to be accurate after multiple reviews.
- Please show me where you found that rare book in the library.
- The history lesson showed how trade routes connected ancient civilizations.
- We have shown the new employees the proper safety protocols today.
- The artist showed great skill in capturing the light of the sunset.
- Research has shown that sleep improves memory retention significantly.
- She showed her patience by waiting quietly for the delayed train.
- The diagram shows the internal structure of the flower clearly.
- I have shown you the correct path to the summit before.
- The documentary showed the harsh realities of life in the desert.
Quick Practice
The teacher the students how to solve the equation.
showed
Studies have that exercise reduces stress levels.
shown
Can you me the way to the nearest exit?
show
He great courage during the emergency.
showed
The map the location of the hidden treasure.
shows
We have the evidence to the police.
shown
Frequently Asked Questions
Is showed a past tense of show?
Yes, showed is the simple past tense. You use it when talking about a specific action that happened and finished in the past, such as when you showed someone a photo yesterday.
Can I use showed as a past participle?
It is technically possible but considered archaic. Modern English strongly prefers shown as the past participle. Using showed with has or have sounds outdated and non-standard to most contemporary readers.
What is the difference between shown and showed?
Showed is the simple past form used alone. Shown is the past participle used with helping verbs like has or was. Knowing this distinction helps you construct grammatically correct sentences.
Why do some people say showen?
Showen is an obsolete form from Old and Middle English. It appears in historical texts like Shakespeare or the King James Bible but has no place in modern professional or casual writing.
