withstand
Base form
withstand
/wɪðˈstænd/
Past simple
withstood
/wɪðˈstʊd/
Past participle
withstood
/wɪðˈstʊd/
MeaningC1
to be strong enough not to be hurt or damaged by something
to withstand earthquakes and storms
In use
- After a modal verb · Form 1This tent can withstand very strong winds.
- Question · Form 1Will the old bridge withstand another flood?
- Past simple · Form 2In 1987 the house withstood a terrible storm.
- Past simple · Form 2Last winter our tiny boat withstood the waves.
- Present perfect · Form 3These walls have withstood five hundred years of rain.
- Past perfect · Form 3The castle had withstood many attacks before it fell.
Watch out
With + stood: withstood in both forms, like understood. Withstanded and withstooden are wrong.
Same pattern
A — B — BForms two and three are the same
Irregular VerbsLearn all three forms for good
Short lessons by frequency or by pattern, audio for every form and daily reviews that bring back exactly the verbs you are about to forget.
Install on your phoneScan with your phone camera to download the app