What is the proper past tense for the word "spring"?

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Grammar usage and syntax

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	What is the proper past tense for the word "spring"? By Perryman Asked Apr 9 2008 10:02AM	18 Pts Rate Question

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Top Answer out of 9

by Anonymous on Apr 9, 2008 at 11:32 am Permalink

It depends on the usage.

"It sprang a few minutes ago."

"It has sprung."

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Answer 2 out of 9

by skeeter on Apr 9, 2008 at 10:03 am Permalink

sprung

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Answer 3 out of 9

by Borderlinux on Apr 9, 2008 at 11:34 am Permalink

sprungz0rd

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Answer 4 out of 9

by Elizabeth on Oct 9, 2009 at 5:17 pm Permalink

"Sprang" is the past tense of the verb "spring". "Sprung" is used instead when there is a helping verb (has, had, etc...).

The coil sprang.
The coil has sprung.

Make sense?

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Answer 5 out of 9

by notquitered on Apr 15, 2008 at 1:36 pm Permalink

Sprang. I believe sprung is past pluperfect.

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Answer 6 out of 9

by Beany on Apr 15, 2008 at 1:39 pm Permalink

The spring has sprung,
the grass has ris,
I wonder where the birdies is

I'd guess sprang if that poems grammar is anything to go by

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Answer 7 out of 9

by katespana on Apr 15, 2008 at 1:34 pm Permalink

I remember my father saying, 'It's sprung a leak', and he was a plumber. So, 'sprung' seems to be a verb too, though past tense of the verb 'to spring'. Whereas, 'sprang' seems to be a corruption of the verb, though if a word becomes common usage it is effectively part of the language. The English language is marvellously stretchy.

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Answer 8 out of 9

by Nninee on Apr 13, 2008 at 2:21 pm Permalink

Sprang

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Answer 9 out of 9

by Brian I on Apr 9, 2008 at 11:31 am Permalink

Sprang, although apparently sprung is also considered correct in the USA.