seen

seen — verb

1. the form of the verb 'see' that is used with 'have', 'has', or 'had' to talk abo

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveA2
Definition

the form of the verb 'see' that is used with 'have', 'has', or 'had' to talk about experiences in the past, or with 'be' to describe something that is noticed or visible.

Example

We've seen this film before — it's about a young dancer in New York.

present perfect: have/has + seen for past experience

The drug has not been seen on the market since it was banned in 2018.

passive: be + seen for something noticed

Common collocations
  • never seen
  • ever seen
  • already seen
  • been seen
  • seen before

Grammar Patterns

have/has + seen + noun phrase

be + seen + (by + agent)

Seen + from/in/at..., main clause

have/has + never + seen + noun phrase

Usage Note

Unlike most English verbs, 'see' has an irregular past participle: 'seen' (not 'seed' or 'sawed'). Do not confuse 'seen' with the simple past form 'saw' — you must use a helping verb (have/has/had/be) with 'seen'.

Common Mistakes

I seen that movie yesterday.
I saw that movie yesterday.
'seen' must be paired with a form of 'have' or 'be'; use 'saw' alone for simple past.
She has saw the results already.
She has seen the results already.
'saw' is the simple past form; 'seen' is the past participle and must follow 'have/has/had'.

Word family