Browse Definitions :

What’s the past tense of spin — spinned, span or spun?

Writing for Business

Which is correct?

interrobang After that unfortunate incident at the holiday party, he went immediately into reputation management mode. But no matter how he ______ it, he still came out looking like a jerk.
a. spinned
b. span
c. spun

Answer: c

Explanation:

Spin is an irregular verb that has spun as both the simple past and past participle form. It means to turn rapidly around an axis. In a metaphorical sense, it means to communicate something in a way that changes people’s perception of it. Here are a few examples:

I will spin that incident so skilfully that I look like a hero instead of a jerk.

I spun that incident so skilfully that I look like a hero instead of a jerk.

I have spun that incident so skilfully that I look like a hero instead of a jerk. 

Span is an archaic simple past form of spin.

See more about irregular verbs here.

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