Input Past Tense: Input, Inputted, Forms & Usage 2026

Have you ever written a sentence like “I input the data yesterday” and wondered, “Is input the past tense of input?” You are not alone. The verb input can be confusing because it has an unus ual past tense form.

The good news is that input can be used as its own past tense. For example, “I input the information yesterday” is correct. You may also see inputted, especially in some technical or business writing. Both forms are accepted, although input is often preferred when talking about computers, data, or information.

Learning the past tense of input is useful because we often talk about entering information into computers, forms, systems, phones, databases, and other devices. Knowing when to use input or inputted can help you write clearer emails, reports, assignments, and everyday sentences.

In this guide, you will learn the past tense of input, its forms, sentence structures, common mistakes, examples, rules, comparisons, and practice exercises.

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Quick Answer

The past tense of input can be input or inputted. The past participle can also be input or inputted.

Verb Form	Word
V1 – Base Form	input
V2 – Past Tense	input / inputted
V3 – Past Participle	input / inputted
V-ing Form	inputting

For example: I input the customer’s details yesterday.
You can also say: I inputted the customer’s details yesterday.

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What Is the Past Tense of Input?

The past tense of input is input or inputted.

The verb input means to enter information, data, commands, or other material into a computer, system, form, or device. When you describe an action that happened in the past, you can use input as the past form.

For example:

• I input the data yesterday.
• She input the customer’s information into the system.
• We input all the numbers before lunch.

You may also use inputted:

• I inputted the data yesterday.
• She inputted the customer’s information into the system.

Both forms are found in English. Input is especially common in computing and technical contexts, while inputted is also widely used and can sound more clearly marked as past tense.

Is “Input” an Irregular Verb?

Input is often treated as an irregular verb because its past form can remain unchanged:

input → input → input

However, it also has the regular style form:

input → inputted → inputted

This makes input different from many common verbs.

For comparison:

• walk → walked → walked
• play → played → played
• input → input / inputted → input / inputted

The unchanged form can seem strange at first, but it is perfectly understandable and grammatically accepted.

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Structure of Sentences of the Past Tense of Input

When input is used in the simple past, sentence structure depends on  if the sentence is affirmative, negative, or interrogative.

Affirmative Sentences

Use:

Subject + past form + object

Examples:

• I input the data.
• She inputted the information.
• They input the results into the database.

Negative Sentences

Use:

Subject + did not + base verb + object

Examples:

• I did not input the data.
• She did not input the information.
• They did not input the results.

Notice that after did not, we use the base verb input, not inputted.

Interrogative Sentences

Use:

Did + subject + base verb + object?

Examples:

• Did you input the data?
• Did she input the customer’s details?
• Did they input the results?

Again, use the base form input after did.

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Formation of the Past Tense of Input

The past form of input can be formed in two accepted ways:

input → input

or

input → inputted

The first form keeps the verb unchanged. This is common in technical and computing contexts.

The second form adds  ed, giving inputted.

Verb Forms of Input

• V1: input
• V2: input / inputted
• V3: input / inputted
• Present participle: inputting

The  ing form is spelled inputting, with a double t.

Examples:

• I am inputting the data now.
• She was inputting customer information.
• They have inputted the records into the system.

What About “Inputted”?

Inputted is a valid past form and past participle of input.

However, English usage varies. In many technology related contexts, writers often use the unchanged form input:

I input the information yesterday.

In other contexts, especially where clarity about the past is important, inputted may be used:

I inputted the information yesterday.

Both can be correct, but you should follow the style used by your school, workplace, or publication when a specific style guide is required.

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How to Use the Past Tense of Input

The simple past form of input is used to describe an action that happened and finished in the past.

1. For Completed Data Entry

Use input or inputted when someone entered information into a system in the past.

• I input the figures yesterday.
• I inputted the figures yesterday.
• She input the customer’s address last night.

2. For Computer Related Actions

Input is commonly used when talking about computers, software, databases, and electronic systems.

• The technician input the new settings.
• We input the password into the system.
• He inputted the data into the database.

3. With a Specific Past Time

The simple past often appears with words such as:

• yesterday
• last night
• last week
• two hours ago
• this morning
• in 2025

Examples:

• I input the information yesterday.
• She inputted the figures last week.
• We input the records two hours ago.

4. In Questions

Use did + input when asking  if someone entered information.

• Did you input the correct number?
• Did she input the customer’s name?
• Did they input the data yesterday?

Do not say:

• Did you inputted the data? ❌

Say:

• Did you input the data? ✅

5. In Negative Sentences

Use did not + input for negative statements.

• I did not input the wrong number.
• She did not input the address.
• We didn’t input the information.

The contraction didn’t is common in informal English.

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Structure or Verb Pattern Table

Sentence Type	Pattern	Example
Affirmative	Subject + input/inputted	She input the data.
Negative	Subject + did not + input	She did not input the data.
Question	Did + subject + input?	Did she input the data?
Short Answer	Yes, subject + did.	Yes, she did.
Negative Answer	No, subject + didn’t.	No, she didn’t

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Real Life Examples

Here are practical examples showing how input and inputted work in everyday English.

Affirmative Examples

1. I input the customer information yesterday.
2. She inputted the order details into the system.
3. We input the test results before the meeting.
4. The employee inputted the sales figures.
5. He input the correct password into the computer.
6. They inputted the new records last Friday.

Negative Examples

1. I did not input the wrong address.
2. She didn’t input the final number.
3. We did not input the information yesterday.
4. He didn’t input the customer’s phone number.

Interrogative Examples

1. Did you input the correct information?
2. Did she input the order details?
3. Did they input the results yesterday?
4. Did he input your name into the system?

Formal Examples

• The administrator inputted the updated information into the database.
• The staff member input the required figures before submitting the report.
• The technician inputted the new settings into the system.

Informal Examples

• I input the numbers yesterday.
• Did you input my details?
• I didn’t input the wrong code.

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Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Using “Did” With “Inputted”

❌ Did you inputted the data?

✅ Did you input the data?

After did, always use the base verb.

Mistake 2: Using “Did Not Inputted”

❌ She did not inputted the information.

✅ She did not input the information.

The helping verb did already marks the past.

Mistake 3: Thinking Only “Inputted” Is Correct

❌ “Input” cannot be used as the past tense.

✅ Input can be used as a past form.

For example:

I input the data yesterday.

This sentence is grammatically acceptable.

Mistake 4: Using “Inputting” for the Simple Past

❌ I inputting the data yesterday.

✅ I input the data yesterday.

or

✅ I inputted the data yesterday.

Inputting is the  ing form, not the simple past.

Mistake 5: Confusing “Input” With “Imput”

The correct spelling is:

✅ input

Not:

❌ imput

The word input is spelled with n before p.

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Key Grammar Rules

Rule 1: Input Can Stay the Same in the Past

The past form can be input.

• Present: I input data every day.
• Past: I input data yesterday.

Rule 2: Inputted Is Also Correct

You can use inputted as the past form.

• She inputted the information yesterday.

Rule 3: Use the Base Form After “Did”

Always use input, not inputted, after did.

• Did you input the data? ✅
• Did you inputted the data? ❌

Rule 4: Use “Did Not” for Simple Past Negatives

• I did not input the data.
• He didn’t input the information.

Rule 5: The Past Participle Can Also Be Input or Inputted

Both forms can appear with perfect tenses.

• I have input the data.
• I have inputted the data.

However, usage preferences can vary by context and style.

Rule 6: The  ing Form Is “Inputting”

When using a continuous tense, write:

input → inputting

Example:

• She is inputting the information now.

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Comparisons with Similar Grammar Forms

Understanding the difference between input, inputted, and related forms makes the verb easier to use.

Input vs. Inputted

Both can function as past forms.

• I input the information yesterday.
• I inputted the information yesterday.

Input is especially common in technical contexts, while inputted may make the past meaning more immediately obvious.

Input vs. Enter

The verb enter is a close synonym of input when talking about information.

• I entered the data yesterday.
• I input the data yesterday.

Enter is often more natural in general everyday English, while input is common when discussing computers, data, and systems.

Input vs. Type

These words are related but not always identical.

Type means using a keyboard or similar device to write characters.

• I typed the customer’s name.

Input focuses more on putting information into a system.

• I input the customer’s information into the database.

Input vs. Output

These terms are often used together in computing.

Input is information put into a system.

Output is information produced by a system.

For example:

• The user inputs information.
• The computer produces an output.

Learners interested in this topic may also want to study the past tense of enter, past tense of type, simple past tense, and past participles.

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Exercises

Practice using the correct form of input.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete each sentence with input, inputted, or inputting.

1. I ______ the data yesterday.
2. She is ______ the customer’s information now.
3. We ______ the figures into the system last week.
4. Did you ______ the correct number?
5. He did not ______ the address.
6. They have ______ the records into the database.

Exercise 2: Correct the Sentences

Find and correct the mistake.

1. Did she inputted the information?
2. I inputting the data yesterday.
3. He did not inputted the customer’s name.
4. We input the records tomorrow.
5. Did you inputted the wrong number?

Exercise 3: Rewrite the Sentences

Change each sentence into the simple past.

1. I input the data every morning.
2. She enters the customer’s details every day.
3. They input the results into the system.
4. He types the information into the computer.

Exercise 4: Multiple Choice

1. Which sentence is correct?

A. Did you inputted the data?
B. Did you input the data?
C. Did you inputting the data?

2. Which is a possible past form of input?

A. input
B. inputted
C. Both A and B

3. Which sentence uses the  ing form correctly?

A. She is inputting the data.
B. She is input the data.
C. She is inputted the data.

4. Which sentence is correct?

A. He did not inputted the information.
B. He did not input the information.
C. He did not inputting the information.

Answer Key

Exercise 1

1. input / inputted
2. inputting
3. input / inputted
4. input
5. input
6. input / inputted

Exercise 2

1. Did she input the information?
2. I input or inputted the data yesterday.
3. He did not input the customer’s name.
4. We input or inputted the records yesterday.
5. Did you input the wrong number?

Exercise 3

1. I input the data yesterday.
2. She entered the customer’s details yesterday.
3. They input the results into the system.
4. He typed the information into the computer.

Exercise 4

1. B — Did you input the data?
2. C — Both A and B
3. A — She is inputting the data.
4. B — He did not input the information.

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FAQs

What is the past tense of input?

The past tense of input can be input or inputted.

Example:

I input the data yesterday.

You can also say:

I inputted the data yesterday.

Is “input” a past tense?

Yes. Input can be used as the simple past form of the verb input.

Example:

She input the information yesterday.

Is “inputted” grammatically correct?

Yes. Inputted is an accepted past tense and past participle form of input.

Should I use “input” or “inputted”?

Both are possible. Input is commonly used in technical and computing contexts, while inputted is also widely used. Follow the style preferred by your school, employer, or publication if one exists.

What is the past participle of input?

The past participle can be input or inputted.

Examples:

• I have input the information.
• I have inputted the information.

What is the  ing form of input?

The  ing form is inputting.

Example:

She is inputting the data now.

Do we say “Did you inputted”?

No. After did, use the base verb input.

Correct:

Did you input the data?

Incorrect:

Did you inputted the data?

Is “input” regular or irregular?

Input has two accepted past patterns. It can remain unchanged (input) or take the regular  ed ending (inputted). This is why learners may see both forms.

What is the difference between input and enter?

Both can mean putting information into a system. Enter is more common in general everyday English, while input is especially common in computing, data, and technical contexts.

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Conclusion

The past tense of input can be input or inputted. Both forms are accepted, although input is particularly common in computing and technical contexts. The past participle can also be input or inputted, while the  ing form is inputting.

The most important rule to remember is that after did or did not, use the base form input, not inputted. For example, say “Did you input the data?” and “I did not input the data.”

Once you understand these patterns, using input in past tense sentences becomes much easier. Practice with real examples involving computers, forms, databases, and everyday information. Regular practice will help you use both input and inputted naturally and confidently.