swung
B2Neutral. Common in both informal and formal contexts.
Definition
Meaning
The past tense and past participle of the verb 'swing', meaning to move back and forth or from side to side while suspended from a point.
Can also refer to a decisive change in mood, opinion, condition, or direction; to have moved in a smooth, curving motion; or to have executed an act successfully.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Most commonly used as the simple past tense or past participle of 'swing'. Also used adjectivally in contexts like 'swung vote'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor spelling differences in related compounds (e.g., 'swing-door' vs. 'swinging door'), but 'swung' is identical. The verb 'swing' is strong (swing-swung-swung) in both varieties.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both dialects. In baseball (primarily US) or cricket (primarily UK), 'swung and missed' is standard.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NP swung (e.g., The door swung)NP swung NP (e.g., She swung the bag)NP swung ADJ (e.g., The mood swung violent)NP swung PP (e.g., He swung onto the platform)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “swung into action”
- “swung the balance”
- “what you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts (related concept)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to significant changes in markets, moods, or decisions (e.g., 'The shareholder vote swung in our favour').
Academic
Used in physics for pendulum motion or in social sciences for describing shifts in public opinion.
Everyday
Common for describing doors, moods, or playing on a swing (e.g., 'She swung on the swing for hours').
Technical
In engineering, describing the arc of a moving part; in music, the rhythmic feel of jazz or swing music (adjective).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The gate swung shut in the wind.
- He swung the mallet with great force.
- The momentum swung the match in their favour.
American English
- She swung the bat and hit a home run.
- The market swung wildly after the announcement.
- He swung by the store on his way home.
adjective
British English
- It was a tightly swung match until the final minute.
- The jury's decision was a swung verdict.
American English
- He has a great swung rhythm in his piano playing.
- The swung vote decided the election.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The door swung open.
- The child swung on the swing.
- She swung her bag over her shoulder.
- He swung the hammer and hit the nail.
- My mood suddenly swung from happy to sad.
- The pendulum swung rhythmically from side to side.
- Public opinion swung dramatically after the debate.
- They swung the deal at the last minute.
- The fighter swung a wild punch that missed its mark entirely.
- The economic indicators have swung into positive territory for the first time in years.
- The narrative perspective is abruptly swung away from the protagonist.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a bell that has RUNG. It was SWUNG to make it ring. Both 'rung' and 'swung' end in '-ung'.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHANGE IS MOTION (e.g., 'Public opinion swung towards the new policy'). CONTROL IS PHYSICAL MANIPULATION (e.g., 'He swung the deal').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not to be confused with 'swim' -> 'swam'/'swum'. 'Swung' is for 'swing'.
- Avoid translating directly from Russian качался/махал as 'swung' for every context; consider 'rocked', 'waved', 'flung'.
- The adjectival use ('swung vote') has no direct one-word equivalent in Russian.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'swang' (non-standard) instead of 'swung'.
- Confusing 'swung' (past) with 'swing' (present).
- Misspelling as 'swong'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the correct past tense form of 'swing'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'swang' is a common non-standard error. The correct simple past and past participle form is always 'swung'.
Yes, though less common. It is used in specific contexts like 'a swung vote' (a vote that changes sides) or in music ('swung rhythm' or 'swung note').
'Swung' is the past tense/participle, describing a completed action. 'Swinging' is the present participle/gerund, describing an ongoing action or used as a noun/adjective (e.g., 'a swinging door').
It implies a rapid, decisive, and often smooth transition from a state of readiness or inactivity to one of vigorous activity.