Weaved, Wove, and Woven

What Is the Difference between "Weaved," "Wove," and "Woven"?

"Weaved," "wove," and "woven" are easy to confuse. The verb "to weave" has two meanings, and this is the root of the confusion because the past forms of each are different.

(1) Weave

When "weave" means to make material by joining threads, the past forms are "wove" and "woven." For example:

• They wove the threads.
(This is the simple past tense of "to weave" in this meaning.)
• They have woven the threads.
(This is the past passive participle of "to weave" in this meaning.)

(2) Weave

When "weave" means to move in and out, the past forms are both "weaved." For example:

• They weaved in and out of the cones.
(This is the simple past tense of "to weave" in this meaning.)
• They have weaved in and out of the cones.
(This is the past passive participle of "to weave" in this meaning.)

Weave (To Make Material)

The simple past tense of "to weave" is "wove." For example:

• I wove a blanket last year.

The past participle of "to weave" is "woven." (NB: This is the version used with "have" to form verb tense or as an adjective.) For example:

• I have woven a blanket for you.
(Here, "woven" is a past participle used with "have" to form verb tense.)
• This woven blanket is highly ornate.
(Here, "woven" is a past participle used as an adjective.)

Weave (To Twist and Turn)

When "to weave" means to twist and turn, then use "weaved" for both the past tense and the past participle. For example:

• He weaved in and out of the bollards.
• She has weaved her way through all the defenders.

More about "Weaved," "Wove," and "Woven"

When "to weave" refers to making material or cloth, then the following versions are used:

Verb	Past Simple	Past Participle
to weave (cloth)	wove	have woven

When "to weave" refers to dodging in and out of things, then the following versions are used:

Verb	Past Simple	Past Participle
to weave (in and out)	weaved	have weaved

Example Sentences with "Weaved," "Wove," and "Woven"

Here are some more example sentences with "weaved," "wove," and "woven":

To Weave (Cloth)

• Who wove the Fitzwilliam's "Sheldon" tapestries?
(This is the past tense of "to weave (cloth).")
• She has woven you a scarf.
(This is the past participle of "to weave (cloth)." Remember! The past participle is the version used with "have," "has," and "had.")

To Weave (In and Out)

• The bike weaved in and out of traffic.
(This is the past tense of "to weave (in and out).)"
• John has weaved his way to the top of the ladder.
(This is the past participle of "to weave (in and out)." Remember! The past participle is the version used with "have," "has," and "had.")