Irregular verbs Regular verbs
string, strings, stringing, strung
Synonyms: thread, link, connect, arrange, line up
Antonyms: unstring, detach, separate, scatter, disperse
The Verb String – Definition, Usage, and Clarification The verb string is an irregular verb that means to put a series of items onto a string or thread. It also means to arrange things in a line or series, or to fit strings to a musical instrument or sports racquet. VERB FORMS ■ Base Form: string ■ Past Simple: strung ■ Past Participle: strung ■ Present Participle/Gerund: stringing USAGE AND CONTEXT 'String' is used for literal threading and for arranging things in a sequence. 1. Threading Objects This is its most literal meaning. ■ Crafts: 'The children were stringing beads to make necklaces.' ■ Food: 'She strung the peppers together to dry them.' 2. Arranging in a Series This is a figurative use for connecting words or events. ■ Language: 'He can string a few words together in French, but he isn't fluent.' 3. Fitting Strings This applies to instruments and sports equipment. ■ Music/Sports: 'He needs to get his guitar strung.' ℹ IMPORTANT: PHRASAL VERBS AND ADJECTIVES ■ String along: To deceive someone over a period of time, making them believe there is hope for a relationship or a desired outcome that you have no intention of fulfilling. ■ Example: 'She realized he was just stringing her along and had no plans to commit.' ■ 'Highly-strung' / 'high-strung': This is a common adjective describing someone who is very nervous, tense, and easily upset.
| STRING - PRESENT SIMPLE | |
|---|---|
| ★ I | string |
| ★ you | string |
| ★ he/she/it | strings |
| ★ we | string |
| ★ you (plural) | string |
| ★ they | string |
| Examples of the verb 'string' in the Present Simple |
|---|
| - I string the beads to make a necklace. |
| - You string your sentences together beautifully. |
| - He strings his guitar with new strings. | She strings the lights around the Christmas tree. |
| - We string the beans before we cook them. |
| - You (plural) string the lanterns across the yard. |
| - They string the marionette puppets. |
| STRING - PRESENT CONTINUOUS | |
|---|---|
| ★ I am | stringing |
| ★ you are | stringing |
| ★ he/she/it is | stringing |
| ★ we are | stringing |
| ★ you are | stringing |
| ★ they are | stringing |
| Examples of the verb 'string' in the Present Continuous |
|---|
| - I am stringing these beads onto a thread. |
| - You are stringing me along with false promises. |
| - He is stringing the tennis racket. | She is stringing the lights along the fence. |
| - We are stringing the popcorn for a garland. |
| - You (plural) are stringing the flags for the celebration. |
| - They are stringing together a series of victories. |
| STRING - PRESENT PERFECT | |
|---|---|
| ★ I have | strung |
| ★ you have | strung |
| ★ he/she/it has | strung |
| ★ we have | strung |
| ★ you have | strung |
| ★ they have | strung |
| Examples of the verb 'string' in the Present Perfect |
|---|
| - I have strung the beads into a beautiful bracelet. |
| - You have strung your words together to create a poem. |
| - He has strung the new lights on the porch. | She has strung the guitar. |
| - We have strung the banner between two trees. |
| - You (plural) have strung the laundry out to dry. |
| - They have strung together a coherent argument. |
| STRING - PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS | |
|---|---|
| ★ I have been | stringing |
| ★ you have been | stringing |
| ★ he/she/it has been | stringing |
| ★ we have been | stringing |
| ★ you have been | stringing |
| ★ they have been | stringing |
| Examples of the verb 'string' in the Present Perfect Continuous |
|---|
| - I have been stringing these tiny beads all afternoon. |
| - You have been stringing him along for months. |
| - He has been stringing rackets at the sports shop for years. | She has been stringing lights. |
| - We have been stringing popcorn for the Christmas tree. |
| - You (plural) have been stringing the words. |
| - They have been stringing together a plan. |
| STRING - PAST SIMPLE | |
|---|---|
| ★ I | strung |
| ★ you | strung |
| ★ he/she/it | strung |
| ★ we | strung |
| ★ you (plural) | strung |
| ★ they | strung |
| Examples of the verb 'string' in the Past Simple |
|---|
| - I strung the colorful beads to make a gift. |
| - You strung him along, and that was cruel. |
| - He strung the hammock between two palm trees. | She strung the lanterns in the garden. |
| - We strung the guitar with a new set of strings. |
| - You (plural) strung the decorations across the room. |
| - They strung together a few wins at the end of the season. |
| STRING - PAST CONTINUOUS | |
|---|---|
| ★ I was | stringing |
| ★ you were | stringing |
| ★ he/she/it was | stringing |
| ★ we were | stringing |
| ★ you were | stringing |
| ★ they were | stringing |
| Examples of the verb 'string' in the Past Continuous |
|---|
| - I was stringing the beads when the thread broke. |
| - You were stringing him along, and he knew it. |
| - He was stringing his guitar before the concert. | She was stringing the lights up. |
| - We were stringing the popcorn garlands. |
| - You (plural) were stringing the flags. |
| - They were stringing together a rescue plan. |
| STRING - PAST PERFECT | |
|---|---|
| ★ I had | strung |
| ★ you had | strung |
| ★ he/she/it had | strung |
| ★ we had | strung |
| ★ you had | strung |
| ★ they had | strung |
| Examples of the verb 'string' in the Past Perfect |
|---|
| - I had strung the necklace before I wrapped the gift. |
| - You had strung him along for too long. |
| - He had strung the lights before the party started. | She had strung the tennis racket. |
| - We had strung the banner. |
| - You (plural) had strung the laundry out. |
| - They had strung together a series of lies. |
| STRING - PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS | |
|---|---|
| ★ I had been | stringing |
| ★ you had been | stringing |
| ★ he/she/it had been | stringing |
| ★ we had been | stringing |
| ★ you had been | stringing |
| ★ they had been | stringing |
| Examples of the verb 'string' in the Past Perfect Continuous |
|---|
| - I had been stringing beads for hours. |
| - You had been stringing him along. |
| - He had been stringing tennis rackets all day. | She had been stringing the lights. |
| - We had been stringing the popcorn. |
| - You (plural) had been stringing the flags. |
| - They had been stringing together the evidence. |
| STRING - FUTURE SIMPLE | |
|---|---|
| ★ I will | string |
| ★ you will | string |
| ★ he/she/it will | string |
| ★ we will | string |
| ★ you will | string |
| ★ they will | string |
| Examples of the verb 'string' in the Future Simple |
|---|
| - I will string these beads for you. |
| - You will string together a beautiful speech. |
| - He will string his guitar tomorrow. | She will string the lights around the patio. |
| - We will string the banner high for everyone to see. |
| - You (plural) will string the flags along the street. |
| - They will string the puppets for the show. |
| STRING - FUTURE CONTINUOUS | |
|---|---|
| ★ I will be | stringing |
| ★ you will be | stringing |
| ★ he/she/it will be | stringing |
| ★ we will be | stringing |
| ★ you will be | stringing |
| ★ they will be | stringing |
| Examples of the verb 'string' in the Future Continuous |
|---|
| - I will be stringing beads for the craft fair all weekend. |
| - You will be stringing him along if you don't tell him the truth. |
| - He will be stringing rackets at the tournament. | She will be stringing the lights. |
| - We will be stringing the garlands for the party. |
| - You (plural) will be stringing the decorations. |
| - They will be stringing together their thoughts for the presentation. |
| STRING - FUTURE PERFECT | |
|---|---|
| ★ I will have | strung |
| ★ you will have | strung |
| ★ he/she/it will have | strung |
| ★ we will have | strung |
| ★ you will have | strung |
| ★ they will have | strung |
| Examples of the verb 'string' in the Future Perfect |
|---|
| - I will have strung this entire necklace by the time you get back. |
| - You will have strung together a perfect argument. |
| - He will have strung the guitar. | She will have strung all the lights. |
| - We will have strung the banner. |
| - You (plural) will have strung the flags. |
| - They will have strung together enough evidence to convict him. |
| STRING - FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS | |
|---|---|
| ★ I will have been | stringing |
| ★ you will have been | stringing |
| ★ he/she/it will have been | stringing |
| ★ we will have been | stringing |
| ★ you will have been | stringing |
| ★ they will have been | stringing |
| Examples of the verb 'string' in the Future Perfect Continuous |
|---|
| - By the end of the day, I will have been stringing beads for eight hours. |
| - You will have been stringing him along for a year. |
| - He will have been stringing rackets for the entire tournament. | She will have been stringing the lights. |
| - We will have been stringing the garlands. |
| - You (plural) will have been stringing the decorations. |
| - They will have been stringing together the plan. |