Build vs. Built — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 22, 2023

"Build" is the base form of the verb meaning to construct, while "built" is the past tense and past participle form of the same verb.

Build vs. Built — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Build and Built

Key Differences

In the vast realm of English verbs, "build" and "built" signify different temporal stages of the action of construction. "Build" serves as the present tense, indicating an ongoing or future action. For instance, saying, "I will build a house," signifies a future intention.

On the other hand, "built" steps in when referring to an action that has already taken place in the past. Using "built" in a sentence, such as "She built a sandcastle," illustrates a completed action, indicating that the sandcastle was made sometime earlier.

Moreover, while "build" often combines with helping verbs to create various tenses (like "will build" for future tense), "built" stands independently when referring to the past. For instance, "They build models" is in the present, whereas "They built models" refers to the past.

Furthermore, it's essential to recognize that "built" also functions as a past participle. This means it can team up with auxiliary verbs to form perfect tenses, such as in the sentence "They have built a new bridge," indicating the action of construction has recently been completed.

Comparison Chart

Tense

Present/Base form

Past/Past participle

Usage

Indicates ongoing or future action

Indicates completed action

Example

I build

I built

Combination

Often used with helping verbs

Can stand alone or with auxiliary verbs

Temporal Stage

Refers to an action yet to be or being done

Refers to an action already done

Compare with Definitions

Build

To construct or make something.

They plan to build a new mall downtown.

Built

Constructed or made in the past.

She built a treehouse for her kids.

Build

To accumulate or gather.

Rain clouds began to build in the sky.

Built

Developed or established previously.

They built a strong community spirit.

Build

To form by combining materials or parts; construct.

Built

Created or achieved over a previous time.

She had built a reputation for being reliable.

Build

To order, finance, or supervise the construction of

The administration built several new housing projects.

Built

Formed or shaped in the past using materials.

The kids built a fortress out of pillows.

Build

To develop or give form to according to a plan or process; create

Build a nation.

Built a successful business out of their corner grocery store.

Built

Past tense and past participle of build.

Build

To increase or strengthen by adding gradually to

Money building interest in a savings account.

Build support for a political candidate.

Built

Having a specified physique

A heavily built boxer.

Build

To establish a basis for; found or ground

Build an argument on fact.

Built

(Informal) Having a well-developed or attractive body

A dancer who is really built.

Build

To make something by combining materials or parts.

Built

Vulgar Slang Large-breasted.

Build

To engage in the construction or design of buildings

"Each of the three architects built in a different style" (Dwight Macdonald).

Built

(informal) well-built, muscular or toned.

Build

To develop in magnitude or extent

Clouds building on the horizon.

Built

(obsolete) Shape; build; form of structure.

The built of a ship

Build

To progress toward a maximum, as of intensity

Suspense building from the opening scene to the climax.

Built

Inflection of build

Build

The physical makeup of a person or thing, especially one's physique

An athletic build.

Built

Shape; build; form of structure; as, the built of a ship.

Build

(Computers) Any of various versions of a software product as it is being developed for release to users.

Built

Formed; shaped; constructed; made; - often used in composition and preceded by the word denoting the form; as, frigate-built, clipper-built, etc.

Like the generality of Genoese countrywomen, strongly built.

Build

(transitive) To form (something) by combining materials or parts.

Built

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness;

The built liquid detergents

Build

(transitive) To develop or give form to (something) according to a plan or process.

Built

Formed by fitting or joining components together

Build

(transitive) To increase or strengthen (something) by adding gradually to.

Built

Well or attractively formed with respect to physique

Build

(transitive) To establish a basis for (something).

Built

Accumulated or gathered in the past.

Tension built up during the meeting.

Build

(intransitive) To form by combining materials or parts.

Build

(intransitive) To develop in magnitude or extent.

Build

To construct (software) by compiling its source code.

Build

To be converted into software by compilation, usually with minimal human intervention.

This code won’t build any more. Have you made any changes?

Build

The physique of a human or animal body, or other object; constitution or structure.

Rugby players are of sturdy build.

Build

Any of various versions of a software product as it is being developed for release to users.

The computer company has introduced a new prototype build to beta testers.

Build

A structure, such as a building, statue, pool or forest, or a configuration of a character's items or skills, created by the player.

I made a build that looked like the Parthenon in that game.

Build

To erect or construct, as an edifice or fabric of any kind; to form by uniting materials into a regular structure; to fabricate; to make; to raise.

Nor aught availed him nowTo have built in heaven high towers.

Build

To raise or place on a foundation; to form, establish, or produce by using appropriate means.

Who builds his hopes in air of your good looks.

Build

To increase and strengthen; to increase the power and stability of; to settle, or establish, and preserve; - frequently with up; as, to build up one's constitution.

I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up.

Build

To exercise the art, or practice the business, of building.

Build

To rest or depend, as on a foundation; to ground one's self or one's hopes or opinions upon something deemed reliable; to rely; as, to build on the opinions or advice of others.

Build

Form or mode of construction; general figure; make; as, the build of a ship; a great build on a man.

Build

Constitution of the human body

Build

Alternative names for the body of a human being;

Leonardo studied the human body

He has a strong physique

The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak

Build

Make by combining materials and parts;

This little pig made his house out of straw

Some eccentric constructed an electric brassiere warmer

Build

Form or accumulate steadily;

Resistance to the manager's plan built up quickly

Pressure is building up at the Indian-Pakistani border

Build

Build or establish something abstract;

Build a reputation

Build

Improve the cleansing action of;

Build detergents

Build

Order, supervise, or finance the construction of;

The government is building new schools in this state

Build

Give form to, according to a plan;

Build a modern nation

Build a million-dollar business

Build

Be engaged in building;

These architects build in interesting and new styles

Build

Found or ground;

Build a defense on nothing but the accused person's reputation

Build

Bolster or strengthen;

We worked up courage

Build up confidence

Ramp up security in the airports

Build

Develop and grow;

Suspense was building right from the beginning of the opera

Build

To develop or increase in stages.

We need to build trust in our relationship.

Build

To shape or form by combining materials.

Children love to build with blocks.

Build

To establish or create over time.

He wants to build a successful career in finance.

Common Curiosities

Is "built" only used for past actions?

Primarily, but it's also the past participle, as in "have built."

Can "build" indicate a future action?

Yes, with helping verbs, e.g., "I will build a house."

Is "build" the present tense?

Yes, "build" is the present or base form of the verb.

Can "build" stand alone in a sentence?

Yes, like "I build houses."

What does "built" represent?

"Built" represents the past tense and past participle of "build."

What's the noun form related to "build"?

The noun form is "building."

What's the adjective form of "build"?

The adjective form is "built," as in "a newly built home."

Does "built" require auxiliary verbs?

Not always. It can stand alone as "I built" or combine as in "have built."

What's the opposite of "built"?

"Demolished" or "dismantled" when referring to physical structures.

Can "build" refer to non-physical construction?

Yes, like "build confidence" or "build a relationship."

Is "built" always about past events?

Primarily, but in combinations like "have built," it can indicate recent completions.

How do I use "built" in the present perfect tense?

Use it with "have" or "has," e.g., "She has built a shed."

Does "build" always mean constructing something large?

No, it can refer to small constructs like "build a model" or "build a puzzle."

Can "build" imply progression?

Yes, like "build momentum" or "build trust."

Can "built" describe someone's physique?

Yes, like "He's well-built."

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Author Spotlight

Written by

Tayyaba Rehman

Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.