The English verb “stamp” is a versatile word with multiple meanings, from marking documents to expressing emotions physically. Whether you are stamping a letter with postage, stamping your foot in frustration, or stamping a seal of approval, knowing how to correctly use its past tense form is essential.
Understanding verb tenses is a cornerstone of mastering English grammar. The correct use of past tense allows you to describe completed actions, narrate stories, and communicate clearly in both spoken and written English.
This in-depth guide is designed for students, teachers, ESL learners, writers, and professionals who want to confidently use the past tense of “stamp.” It covers definitions, conjugation rules, example sentences, usage nuances, common mistakes, advanced topics, and extensive practice exercises. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this article provides a comprehensive reference and practice tool for mastering “stamped” in all its forms and contexts.
Let’s begin our journey to fully understanding and mastering the past tense of “stamp.”
Table of Contents
- 3. Definition Section
- 4. Structural Breakdown
- 5. Types or Categories
- 6. Examples Section
- 7. Usage Rules
- 8. Common Mistakes
- 9. Practice Exercises
- 10. Advanced Topics
- 11. FAQ Section
- 12. Conclusion
3. Definition Section
3.1. What Does “Stamp” Mean?
The verb “stamp” has several related meanings:
- To mark or impress a surface with a design, seal, or writing:
The official stamped the document with a seal. - To bring down one’s foot heavily, usually to express emotion or call attention:
She stamped her foot angrily. - To affix a postage stamp to mail:
He stamped the envelope before mailing it.
According to dictionaries:
- Cambridge Dictionary: “To put a mark on something, or to press something into a surface.”
- Merriam-Webster: “To strike or beat forcibly with the bottom of the foot.”
- Oxford Learner’s Dictionary: “To fix a stamp on something or mark with an official stamp.”
These definitions cover both literal and figurative uses of the verb “stamp.”
3.2. Grammatical Classification of “Stamp”
“Stamp” is a regular action verb that expresses physical or metaphorical actions. It can be used:
- Transitively: It requires an object.
She stamped the invoice. - Intransitively: It does not require an object.
He stamped angrily.
The verb can thus adapt to many sentence structures and contexts.
3.3. Understanding Past Tense in English
The past tense describes actions completed in the past. There are several past tense forms, but this article mainly focuses on the simple past of “stamp” (e.g., stamped).
Other past-related forms include:
- Past continuous: For ongoing past actions (e.g., was stamping).
- Present perfect: For past actions relevant to the present (e.g., have stamped).
- Past perfect: For actions completed before another past action (e.g., had stamped).
We will explore these forms, focusing first on the simple past tense.
3.4. What is the Past Tense of “Stamp”?
The simple past tense of “stamp” is “stamped.”
The past participle form, used in perfect tenses and passive voice, is also “stamped.”
| Base Form | Simple Past | Past Participle | Present Participle | 3rd Person Singular |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| stamp | stamped | stamped | stamping | stamps |
This regular pattern makes “stamp” easy to conjugate in past tense forms.
4. Structural Breakdown
4.1. Forming the Past Tense of “Stamp”
Since “stamp” is a regular verb, you simply add -ed to the base form:
- stamp + ed = stamped
The pronunciation of the -ed ending depends on the final sound of the verb:
| Ending Sound of the Base Verb | -ed Pronunciation | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Voiceless sounds (/p/, /k/, /f/, /s/, /ʃ/, /tʃ/) | /t/ | laughed /læft/, stamped /stæmpt/ |
| Voiced sounds (all vowels and voiced consonants except /d/) | /d/ | called /kɔːld/, played /pleɪd/ |
| Base ends with /t/ or /d/ sounds | /ɪd/ | needed /ˈniːdɪd/, wanted /ˈwɒntɪd/ |
For “stamp,” since it ends with the voiceless /p/ sound, the -ed ending is pronounced /t/: /stæmpt/.
4.2. Affirmative Sentences
The basic structure for affirmatives:
Subject + stamped + (object/complement)
- She stamped the envelope.
- They stamped their feet loudly.
- I stamped the document quickly.
4.3. Negative Sentences
For negatives in simple past:
Subject + did not (didn’t) + base form
- She did not stamp the letter.
- They didn’t stamp the documents.
- I did not stamp the envelope.
4.4. Question Forms
For forming questions in simple past:
Did + subject + base form + (object/complement)?
- Did you stamp the letter?
- Did he stamp his foot?
- Did they stamp the tickets?
4.5. Past Participle Usage Overview
The past participle “stamped” appears in perfect tenses:
- Present perfect:
She has stamped the documents. - Past perfect:
They had stamped all the invitations before the event.
5. Types or Categories
5.1. Past Simple vs. Past Continuous of “Stamp”
- Past simple (“stamped”): Completed action.
I stamped the form. - Past continuous (“was stamping”): Ongoing action at a specific moment in the past.
I was stamping the letters when you called.
Use past simple for finished actions; past continuous for actions in progress.
5.2. Past Simple vs. Present Perfect with “Stamp”
- Past simple: Action completed at a specific past time.
I stamped the letter yesterday. - Present perfect: Action completed at an unspecified time, relevant now.
I have stamped all the invitations.
5.3. Active vs. Passive Voice with “Stamped”
- Active: The subject performs the action.
The clerk stamped the form. - Passive: The subject receives the action.
The form was stamped by the clerk.
5.4. Transitive vs. Intransitive Use in Past Tense
- Transitive (needs object):
She stamped the envelope. - Intransitive (no object):
He stamped angrily.
6. Examples Section
6.1. Basic Past Tense Examples
- I stamped the form.
- She stamped the letter.
- They stamped their tickets.
- He stamped his foot.
- We stamped all the packages.
- The official stamped my passport.
- My mother stamped the envelope.
- The clerk stamped the receipt.
- John stamped his feet in frustration.
- The children stamped on the floor.
- She stamped her authority on the project.
6.2. Complex Sentences with Time Markers
- I stamped the documents yesterday.
- She stamped the letters last week.
- They stamped the visas in 2020.
- He stamped his foot when he heard the news.
- We stamped all the invitations before the ceremony.
- The teacher stamped the homework this morning.
- My brother stamped his feet during the argument.
- The customs officer stamped my passport at the airport.
- She stamped the ticket just before the train arrived.
- They stamped the forms after reviewing them carefully.
6.3. Questions and Negatives
- Did you stamp the envelope?
- Did she stamp her foot?
- Did they stamp the documents?
- Did the clerk stamp your passport?
- Did he stamp the ticket?
- She did not stamp the letter.
- They didn’t stamp the application.
- He didn’t stamp his foot.
- We did not stamp the packages.
- I didn’t stamp the envelope.
6.4. Perfect Tenses with “Stamped”
- She has stamped all the invitations.
- They have stamped the tickets already.
- He had stamped the forms before leaving.
- We have stamped the documents.
- I had stamped the envelope before the post office closed.
6.5. Passive Voice Examples
- The letter was stamped by the clerk.
- The document was stamped yesterday.
- The tickets were stamped at the entrance.
- The forms were stamped after approval.
- The package was stamped and shipped.
| Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|
| The clerk stamped the letter. | The letter was stamped by the clerk. |
| She stamped the envelope. | The envelope was stamped. |
| They stamped the tickets. | The tickets were stamped. |
| He stamped the form. | The form was stamped. |
6.6. Contextual Examples by Meaning
- Marking: The customs officer stamped my passport.
- Foot movement: She stamped her foot angrily.
- Affixing postage: I stamped the letter before mailing it.
- Official approval: The manager stamped the documents as approved.
- Footstep noise: The children stamped on the wooden floor.
- Expressing emotion: He stamped in frustration during the meeting.
- Symbolic authority: She stamped her authority on the team.
- Canceling a ticket: The conductor stamped my train ticket.
- Manufacturing mark: The factory stamped the serial number onto the metal.
- Controlling pests: We stamped out the ant infestation last summer.
6.7. Idiomatic Expressions
- They stamped out the bad habit quickly.
- The boss stamped on any sign of dissent.
- The movement was stamped out by the authorities.
- She stamped out the fire before it spread.
- He stamped on her dreams with his criticism.
6.8. Summary Tables
| Affirmative | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|
| She stamped the envelope. | She didn’t stamp the envelope. | Did she stamp the envelope? |
| They stamped their feet. | They did not stamp their feet. | Did they stamp their feet? |
| He stamped the ticket. | He didn’t stamp the ticket. | Did he stamp the ticket? |
| Meaning | Example |
|---|---|
| Marking | The customs officer stamped my passport. |
| Foot action | She stamped her foot angrily. |
| Affixing postage | I stamped the letter. |
| Official approval | The documents were stamped by the manager. |
| Idiomatic | The movement was stamped out quickly. |
7. Usage Rules
7.1. General Rules for Using “Stamped”
- Use “stamped” to describe actions finished in the past.
- Make sure the verb agrees with both singular and plural subjects (the form stays the same).
- Combine with time markers to clarify when the action happened.
7.2. Pronunciation Rules Recap
- Since “stamp” ends with voiceless /p/, -ed is pronounced as /t/: /stæmpt/.
- Practice minimal pairs:
- stamped /stæmpt/ vs. damped /dæmpt/
- lamped /læmpt/ vs. landed /ˈlændɪd/
7.3. Spelling Rules for Regular Verbs
- “Stamp” ends with a consonant cluster and does not double the final consonant before adding -ed.
- Compare:
- Stop → stopped (double ‘p’)
- Stamp → stamped (no double ‘p’)
because “stop” is a CVC word stressed on the last syllable, while “stamp” ends in a consonant cluster.
7.4. Temporal Markers for Past Actions
Typical time markers with simple past:
- Yesterday
- Last week/month/year
- In 2010/2020/etc.
- Two days ago
- This morning (if it is now afternoon or evening)
Examples:
- She stamped the letters yesterday.
- They stamped the tickets last night.
- He stamped the forms in 2020.
7.5. Common Exceptions and Irregularities
“Stamp” is a regular verb, so there are no irregular forms to memorize.
Compare with some irregular verbs:
| Verb | Base | Simple Past | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stamp | stamp | stamped | stamped |
| Run | run | ran | run |
| Go | go | went | gone |
| Buy | buy | bought | bought |
7.6. Special Cases
- Emphatic “did”:
He did stamp his feet! (adds emphasis) - Reported speech:
She said she stamped the letter.
8. Common Mistakes
8.1. Incorrect Verb Forms
- Incorrect: He stamp the letter yesterday.
- Correct: He stamped the letter yesterday.
8.2. Confusing Past and Present Tense
- Incorrect: She stamps the envelope yesterday.
- Correct: She stamped the envelope yesterday.
8.3. Using Past Form After “Did”
- Incorrect: Did you stamped the letter?
- Correct: Did you stamp the letter?
8.4. Pronunciation Errors
- Mispronouncing stamped as /stæmped/ instead of the correct /stæmpt/.
8.5. Mixing Up Passive and Active
- Incorrect: The letter stamped by the clerk.
- Correct: The letter was stamped by the clerk.
8.6. Overusing Past Perfect
- Incorrect: She had stamped the letter yesterday.
- Correct: She stamped the letter yesterday.
8.7. Summary Table of Mistakes
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| He stamp the form. | He stamped the form. |
| She stamps it yesterday. | She stamped it yesterday. |
| Did you stamped the letter? | Did you stamp the letter? |
| The letter stamped by the clerk. | The letter was stamped by the clerk. |
| She had stamped the letter yesterday. | She stamped the letter yesterday. |
9. Practice Exercises
9.1. Fill-in-the-Blank
- Yesterday, I ____ the document. (Answer: stamped)
- She ____ the letter before mailing it. (Answer: stamped)
- They ____ their feet loudly. (Answer: stamped)
- The customs officer ____ my passport. (Answer: stamped)
- We ____ all the invitations last week. (Answer: stamped)
- He ____ his foot in frustration. (Answer: stamped)
- John ____ the ticket at the entrance. (Answer: stamped)
- My mother ____ the envelope this morning. (Answer: stamped)
- The factory ____ the serial number on the device. (Answer: stamped)
- The clerk ____ the receipt after payment. (Answer: stamped)
9.2. Correct the Mistake
- She stamp the ticket last night.
Correct: She stamped the ticket last night. - They stamps the documents yesterday.
Correct: They stamped the documents yesterday. - Did you stamped the envelope?
Correct: Did you stamp the envelope? - He stamp his foot angrily.
Correct: He stamped his foot angrily. - The letter stamped by the official.
Correct: The letter was stamped by the official. - We had stamped the invitations yesterday.
Correct: We stamped the invitations yesterday. - She stamps the documents last week.
Correct: She stamped the documents last week. - John didn’t stamped the ticket.
Correct: John didn’t stamp the ticket. - They stamp out the fire last night.
Correct: They stamped out the fire last night. - Did she stamps the package?
Correct: Did she stamp the package?
9.3. Identify Past Tense Use
Mark each as Correct or Incorrect use of past tense:
- She stamped the envelope. (Correct)
- He stamps his foot yesterday. (Incorrect)
- Did they stamp the tickets? (Correct)
- They stamped their feet in anger. (Correct)
- He did not stamped the letter. (Incorrect)
- We have stamped all the invitations. (Correct)
- The documents were stamped. (Correct)
- She is stamping the letter. (Incorrect – present continuous)
- I stamping the forms yesterday. (Incorrect)
- Did you stamp the documents? (Correct)
9.4. Sentence Construction
- Use “stamp” to talk about mailing a letter yesterday.
Example: I stamped the letter yesterday. - Use “stamp” to describe an angry action.
Example: She stamped her foot in anger. - Use “stamp” in the passive about a form.
Example: The form was stamped by the clerk. - Use “stamp” with “last week.”
Example: They stamped all the tickets last week. - Use “stamp” in a question.
Example: Did you stamp the envelope?
9.5. Transformations
- Present to Past:
She stamps the letter. → She stamped the letter. - Active to Passive:
The clerk stamped the document. → The document was stamped by the clerk. - Past Continuous to Simple Past:
They were stamping the tickets. → They stamped the tickets. - Past Simple to Past Perfect:
He stamped the form. → He had stamped the form. - Negative to Affirmative:
She didn’t stamp the envelope. → She stamped the envelope.
9.6. Answer Key
Fill-in-the-blank: All answers are stamped.
Correct the Mistake: See corrections under 9.2.
Identify Past Tense Use:
- Correct
- Incorrect
- Correct
- Correct
- Incorrect (“did not stamp”)
- Correct
- Correct
- Incorrect
- Incorrect
- Correct
Sentence Construction: See sample sentences under 9.4.
Transformations: See examples under 9.5.
10. Advanced Topics
10.1. Narrative Tenses with “Stamp”
- Past continuous:
I was stamping the letters when the phone rang. - Past perfect:
She had stamped the documents before the meeting started. - Combining:
I was stamping the forms that I had printed earlier.
10.2. Reported Speech with “Stamped”
- Direct: She said, “I stamped the letter.”
- Indirect: She said she had stamped the letter.
10.3. Subjunctive and Hypothetical Past with “Stamp”
- If I had stamped the form, it would have been approved.
- I wish I had stamped the envelope earlier.
10.4. Emphatic Past Forms
- I did stamp the letter!
- He did stamp his feet during the argument.
10.5. Past Tense in Formal and Informal Registers
- Formal:
The documents were stamped and filed accordingly. - Informal:
I stamped the letter and dropped it in the mailbox.
10.6. Cross-Dialectal Variations
There are no significant differences in the use of “stamped” between British, American, or Australian English.
11. FAQ Section
- What is the past tense of “stamp”?
The simple past tense is “stamped.” - Is “stamped” a regular or irregular verb?
It is a regular verb, formed by adding -ed. - How do you pronounce “stamped”?
It is pronounced /stæmpt/ with a final /t/ sound. - What is the past participle of “stamp”?
The past participle is also “stamped.” - Can “stamp” be used both transitively and intransitively in past tense?
Yes.- Transitive: She stamped the letter.
- Intransitive: He stamped angrily.
- How is “stamped” used in passive sentences?
The letter was stamped by the clerk. - When do I use “had stamped” instead of “stamped”?
Use had stamped for actions completed before another past event.
She had stamped the documents before the meeting. - What are common mistakes with “stamped”?
Using the base form instead of past tense, mispronouncing, or using “stamped” after “did.” - Is there a difference between “stamped” and “was stamping”?
Yes.- Stamped: Completed action.
- Was stamping: Ongoing past action.
- Can “stamped” be used in idioms?
Yes. For example,
stamped out or stamped on. - How can I practice using “stamped” correctly?
Use the exercises in this article, write sentences, and read examples aloud. - Are there exceptions to adding -ed for the past tense of “stamp”?
No, “stamp” is a regular verb without exceptions.
12. Conclusion
In this comprehensive guide, you learned that the past tense and past participle of “stamp” are both “stamped.” As a regular verb, it follows predictable spelling and pronunciation rules. Mastering these forms helps you accurately describe past actions related to marking, mailing, or expressing emotions.
Correct use of tenses is crucial for clear communication, storytelling, and effective writing. Practice is key: revisit the examples, study the tables, and complete the exercises until you feel confident.
Remember, even mastering simple verbs like “stamp” strengthens your overall English grammar foundation. Keep exploring, practicing, and applying what you’ve learned here to become a more fluent and precise English speaker or writer.
For more grammar insights, bookmark this article and check out our other detailed guides on English verb tenses and usage!