The words shown and showed both come from the verb show, but they are not always interchangeable. Because both forms are commonly used in English, many learners wonder which one is correct in a particular sentence.
The answer depends on the verb tense. Showed is the simple past tense of show, while shown is the past participle and is usually used with helping verbs such as has, have, had, was, were, is or been. Understanding this distinction will help you speak and write more naturally.
Quick Answer
Use showed as the simple past tense of show.
Use shown as the past participle, usually with auxiliary (helping) verbs like has, have, had, is, was, were or been.
Examples:
- ✅ She showed me the photos yesterday.
- ✅ She has shown me the photos before.
Why People Confuse It
People often confuse these words because:
- Both come from the same verb.
- They have similar meanings.
- English has many irregular verbs with different past tense and past participle forms.
- In casual conversation, the distinction isn’t always obvious.
A helpful rule is to check whether your sentence includes a helping verb.
Showed
Showed is the simple past tense of show.
Meaning
It describes an action that happened and finished in the past.
Examples
- She showed me her new phone.
- He showed great courage.
- The teacher showed us how to solve the problem.
- They showed kindness to everyone.
- We showed our tickets at the entrance.
Shown
Shown is the past participle of show.
Meaning
It is used with helping verbs to form perfect tenses and passive voice.
Examples
- She has shown remarkable improvement.
- The results have been shown to the committee.
- I had shown him the document before.
- The movie was shown on television.
- Their work has shown excellent results.
Shown vs. Showed Comparison Table
| Feature | Showed | Shown |
|---|---|---|
| Simple past tense | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Past participle | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Used with helping verbs | ❌ Usually no | ✅ Yes |
| Used in passive voice | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Standard English | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
When to Use Each
Use showed when:
- Talking about a completed past action.
- No helping verb is present.
Examples:
- She showed me the report.
- We showed our passports.
Use shown when:
- A helping verb appears.
- Forming perfect tenses.
- Forming passive constructions.
Examples:
- She has shown great patience.
- The evidence was shown to the jury.
Examples (10+)
- He showed me his new bicycle.
- She showed excellent leadership.
- We showed our identification at the gate.
- The guide showed us around the museum.
- They showed genuine interest.
- She has shown incredible determination.
- The report was shown during the meeting.
- I had shown him the correct answer.
- Their success has shown what’s possible.
- The film was shown in theaters worldwide.
- He has shown great respect to his teachers.
- The results were shown on the screen.
Common Mistakes
❌ She has showed me the photos.
✅ She has shown me the photos.
❌ The document was showed yesterday.
✅ The document was shown yesterday.
❌ I had showed him the message.
✅ I had shown him the message.
Remember:
- Showed = Simple past.
- Shown = Past participle.
Memory Trick
Here’s an easy way to remember:
If you see a helping verb such as:
- has
- have
- had
- is
- was
- were
- been
Use shown.
If there is no helping verb, use showed for the simple past.
Think:
- Yesterday I showed.
- I have shown.
American vs British English
Both American and British English follow the same grammar rule:
- Showed = Simple past.
- Shown = Past participle.
There is no difference in standard usage.
Similar Words
If you’re improving your English grammar, you may also like these commonly confused word pairs:
- Paid vs Payed
- Performed vs Preformed
- Targeted vs Targetted
- Reinforce vs Reenforce Openned
- Coach vs Couch
- Grateful vs Greatful
Final Verdict
Both showed and shown are correct, but they serve different grammatical purposes. Showed is the simple past tense used for completed actions in the past, while shown is the past participle used with helping verbs and in passive constructions.
A quick way to choose the right word is to look for a helping verb. If your sentence includes has, have, had, was, were or another auxiliary verb, shown is almost always the correct choice. Otherwise, use showed for the simple past.
FAQs
Which is correct: shown or showed?
Both are correct, but they are used in different grammatical contexts.
Is “has showed” correct?
No. The correct form is has shown.
Is “showed” the past tense of “show”?
Yes. Showed is the simple past tense.
Is “shown” a past participle?
Yes. Shown is the past participle of show.
Can I say “The movie was showed”?
No. The correct sentence is The movie was shown.
How can I remember the difference?
Use showed without a helping verb and shown with helping verbs such as has, have, had, was, and were.
Conclusion
Choosing between shown and showed is easy once you understand the role each word plays. Showed is the simple past tense used for actions completed in the past, while shown is the past participle used with helping verbs and in passive voice.
By checking whether your sentence contains an auxiliary verb, you can quickly decide which form is correct. Mastering this distinction will make your English sound more natural and grammatically accurate.
Remember This
✅ Showed = Simple past (Yesterday I showed.)
✅ Shown = Past participle (I have shown.)
If there’s a helping verb, choose “shown.” Otherwise, use “showed.”
