burst
Base form
burst
/bɜːst//bɜːrst/
Past simple
burst
/bɜːst//bɜːrst/
Past participle
burst
/bɜːst//bɜːrst/
MeaningC1
to break open suddenly
to burst into tears
In use
- After a modal verb · Form 1The balloon will burst if you blow it up any more.
- Negative · Form 1Try not to burst into tears when you read the letter.
- Past simple · Form 2Last night a water pipe burst in the flat upstairs.
- Past simple · Form 2Yesterday Aisha burst into the room with the good news.
- Present perfect · Form 3The river has burst its banks after a week of rain.
- Past perfect · Form 3The bag had burst open, and apples rolled across the floor.
Watch out
Burst never changes: a pipe burst last night, it has burst. Bursted and bursten are wrong.
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