Many English learners confuse shown and showed because both come from the verb show. While both words are correct, they are used in different grammatical situations. Knowing when to use each one will help you speak and write more naturally.
If you’ve ever wondered whether to write has shown or has showed, or she showed or she shown, this guide explains the difference with clear definitions, examples, grammar rules, comparison tables, and memory tricks.
Quick Answer
Showed is the simple past tense of show, while shown is the past participle. Use showed by itself to describe a completed past action, and use shown after has, have, had, or be (such as has shown or was shown).
Why People Confuse It
People often confuse these words because:
- Both come from the same verb.
- They have similar meanings.
- English irregular verbs often have different past and past participle forms.
- Many learners mistakenly use shown as a simple past tense.
- The phrases has shown and showed are both common.
The key difference is grammatical, not meaning.
What Does “Showed” Mean?
Showed is the simple past tense of show.
It describes an action that happened and finished in the past.
Examples of “Showed”
- She showed me her new phone.
- He showed great courage.
- The teacher showed us the answer.
- They showed their support.
- I showed my passport at the airport.
- She showed us around the city.
- The guide showed visitors the museum.
- He showed kindness to everyone.
- We showed our tickets at the entrance.
- The movie showed real historical events.
What Does “Shown” Mean?
Shown is the past participle of show.
It must usually be used with a helping verb such as has, have, had, is, was, were, or been.
Examples of “Shown”
- She has shown remarkable progress.
- The results were shown on the screen.
- He had shown great patience.
- The evidence has shown the truth.
- The report was shown to the committee.
- They have shown excellent teamwork.
- The picture was shown during the presentation.
- She has shown genuine interest.
- The film was shown worldwide.
- The documents had shown important details.
Shown vs. Showed Comparison
| Feature | Showed | Shown |
|---|---|---|
| Verb Form | Simple past | Past participle |
| Used Alone | Yes | No (usually requires a helping verb) |
| Common Tenses | Simple past | Present perfect, past perfect, passive voice |
| Example | She showed me the photo. | She has shown me the photo. |
When to Use Each
Use showed when:
- Describing a completed past action.
- Writing in the simple past tense.
- No helping verb is present.
Use shown when:
- Using has, have, or had.
- Writing in the passive voice.
- Forming perfect tenses.
Examples (10+)
- She showed me her artwork.
- The teacher showed us the experiment.
- He showed remarkable confidence.
- We showed our IDs at the entrance.
- They showed kindness to strangers.
- She has shown tremendous improvement.
- The movie was shown in over 50 countries.
- He had shown interest before applying.
- The report has shown positive results.
- The evidence was shown to the jury.
- They have shown excellent leadership.
- The presentation was shown on a large screen.
Common Mistakes
❌ She shown me the answer.
✅ She showed me the answer.
❌ He has showed great improvement.
✅ He has shown great improvement.
❌ They had showed the report.
✅ They had shown the report.
❌ The video was showed yesterday.
✅ The video was shown yesterday.
❌ I shown him my passport.
✅ I showed him my passport.
Memory Trick
Remember this simple pattern:
- Yesterday = Showed
- Has/Have/Had = Shown
Examples:
- She showed me yesterday.
- She has shown me before.
Think of it like:
Show → Showed → Shown
American vs. British English
There is no major difference between American and British English.
Both use:
- Showed as the simple past tense.
- Shown as the past participle.
Similar Words
Other irregular verbs that follow a similar pattern include:
- Gave vs. Given
- Wrote vs. Written
- Spoke vs. Spoken
- Drove vs. Driven
- Broke vs. Broken
- Chose vs. Chosen
- Ate vs. Eaten
- Took vs. Taken
Final Verdict
Both showed and shown are correct, but they are used in different grammatical contexts. Use showed for the simple past tense and shown as the past participle after helping verbs like has, have, had, or in passive voice.
Remembering this rule will make your English sound more natural and grammatically correct.
Remember This
Showed = Simple Past
Shown = Past Participle
If you see has, have, or had, choose shown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “shown” correct?
Yes. Shown is the past participle of show.
Is “showed” correct?
Yes. Showed is the simple past tense.
Which is correct: “has shown” or “has showed”?
Has shown is correct.
Can I say “She shown me”?
No. The correct sentence is She showed me.
Is “was shown” correct?
Yes. It is the correct passive voice construction.
Do British and American English use these differently?
No. Both follow the same grammar rules.
Conclusion
Although shown and showed come from the same verb, they serve different grammatical purposes. Showed is used for completed actions in the simple past, while shown is used as the past participle in perfect tenses and passive voice.
Whenever you’re unsure, look for a helping verb. If the sentence includes has, have, had, was, or were, you’ll almost always need shown. Otherwise, showed is usually the correct choice.
