Input vs. Inputted – Which is Correct?

Both input and inputted are grammatically correct, but they serve different functions. Input can be a noun meaning data or contribution, or the base form of a verb. Inputted is specifically the past tense and past participle of the verb “to input,” indicating an action that has been completed.

Input or Inputted – Which is Correct?

The distinction between “input” and “inputted” lies in their grammatical roles and tense. “Input” functions primarily as a noun, referring to data, information, or a contribution, and also as the present tense or infinitive form of the verb “to input.” For example, “Your input is valuable” (noun) or “Please input the data” (verb, present tense/infinitive). “Inputted,” on the other hand, is exclusively the past tense and past participle of the verb “to input,” used to describe an action that has already occurred. For instance, “The data was inputted yesterday.”

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

The easiest way to remember the difference is the “Time Test.” If you’re talking about something happening now or generally, or referring to the thing itself, use input. If you’re talking about something that already happened in the past, use inputted. Think: “I *input* data daily” (present) vs. “I *inputted* data yesterday” (past). If you can replace it with “entered” or “submitted” in the past tense, “inputted” is likely correct.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Input	Noun, Verb (base form)	Data, information, contribution (noun); to enter data, to contribute (verb)	Your input is crucial. Please input the password.
Inputted	Verb (past tense, past participle)	Having entered data; having contributed information (in the past)	The values were successfully inputted.

How to Use Input

“Input” is a versatile word used both as a noun and as a verb. As a noun, it refers to information, data, energy, or a contribution supplied to a system, process, or discussion. It can be a mass noun (e.g., “valuable input”) or a countable noun (e.g., “several inputs”). As a verb, “input” means to put in, enter, or supply data or information, usually into a computer or system. It is often used in a formal or technical context, but can also apply to general contributions to a conversation or project.

Example 1: The programmer needs to input the new code into the system by tomorrow morning.

Example 2: We welcome your creative input on the design of the new marketing campaign.

Example 3: The machine requires a constant flow of raw material input to function efficiently.

What are the different forms of Input?

As a verb, “input” can be regular or irregular in its past tense and past participle forms, though “inputted” is now widely accepted and often preferred. As a noun, it can be singular or plural, though it’s frequently treated as a mass noun.

• Verb Forms:
  • Base Form (Present): input (e.g., I input)
  • Past Simple: input or inputted (e.g., I input/inputted)
  • Past Participle: input or inputted (e.g., I have input/inputted)
  • Present Participle: inputting (e.g., I am inputting)
  • Third Person Singular Present: inputs (e.g., He inputs)
• Noun Forms:
  • Singular: input (e.g., one input)
  • Plural: inputs (e.g., multiple inputs) – often used when referring to distinct pieces of data or contributions.

Etymology of the word Input

The word “input” originated in the late 17th century as a noun, meaning “that which is put in.” It gained significant traction as a verb in the mid-20th century, particularly with the rise of computing and data processing, referring to the act of entering data. It is formed from the prefix “in-” (meaning “into, toward, within”) and the verb “put.”

How to Use Inputted

“Inputted” is exclusively the past tense and past participle form of the verb “to input.” It is used when describing an action of entering data or information that has already been completed. This form emphasizes that the process of supplying the input is finished. While “input” can also serve as the past tense, “inputted” is often preferred for clarity, especially in technical or formal writing, to explicitly indicate a past action.

Example 1: All the survey responses were carefully inputted into the database by the research assistant.

Example 2: The technician confirmed that the new security parameters had been correctly inputted before the system went live.

Example 3: She had already inputted her preferences for the conference schedule when the email arrived.

Etymology of the word Inputted

The word “inputted” is a derivative of “input,” formed by adding the regular past tense and past participle suffix “-ed.” Its etymology is therefore directly tied to the origins of “input” as a verb, which emerged as a back-formation from the noun “input” in the mid-20th century.

Related Concepts

Understanding these grammatical concepts can further clarify when to use “input” versus “inputted.”

• Verb Conjugation: This refers to the way verbs change form to indicate tense (past, present, future), person (first, second, third), and number (singular, plural). “Inputted” is a specific conjugation of the verb “input.”
• Regular vs. Irregular Verbs: Most English verbs form their past tense and past participle by adding “-ed” (regular verbs). Some verbs, however, have unique forms (irregular verbs). “Input” can behave as both, with “input” (irregular) and “inputted” (regular) being acceptable past forms.
• Nouns vs. Verbs: Recognizing whether a word is functioning as a noun (a person, place, thing, or idea) or a verb (an action or state of being) is fundamental to proper sentence construction. “Input” can be both, while “inputted” is strictly a verb form.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “The machine requires a constant input of raw materials to maintain its production levels.” (Illustrates “input” as a noun)
• “Before the algorithm can run, all the necessary variables must be inputted into the system.” (Shows “inputted” as a past participle in a passive construction)
• “She asked for creative input from the entire team during the brainstorming session.” (Demonstrates “input” as a noun, referring to contributions)
• “He carefully inputted the coordinates into the GPS device, ensuring accuracy.” (Uses “inputted” as a simple past tense verb)
• “The user’s input determines the outcome of the interactive story.” (Highlights “input” as a noun, referring to user action/data)

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The data was successfully __________ into the database last night.
2. We need your __________ on the project’s next steps.
3. Please __________ your password to access your account.
4. The technician had already __________ the new settings.
5. Her valuable __________ helped us refine our strategy.

Answer Key

1. inputted
2. input
3. input
4. inputted
5. input

Input Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Data (Noun)	Facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis.
Contribution (Noun)	A gift or payment to a common fund or collection; a part played by a person or thing in bringing about a result.
Enter (Verb)	To put data into a computer or other device.
Supply (Verb)	To make (something needed) available to someone; provide.
Feedback (Noun)	Information about reactions to a product, a person’s performance of a task, etc., used as a basis for improvement.

Inputted Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Entered	Having put data into a system.
Submitted	Having formally presented data for consideration.
Typed in	Having supplied information using a keyboard.
Fed in	Having supplied data or material to a machine or system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can “input” be used as a past tense verb?
Yes, “input” can function as an irregular past tense and past participle verb (e.g., “I input the data yesterday”). However, “inputted” is also correct and often preferred for clarity.

Question 2: Is “inputted” more formal than “input” for the past tense?
While both are correct, “inputted” is often perceived as more explicit and formal for indicating a completed past action, especially in technical or computing contexts. Using “inputted” leaves no ambiguity that a past action is being described.

Question 3: When should I use “input” as a noun?
Use “input” as a noun when referring to the data, information, energy, or contribution itself, rather than the act of putting it in. For example, “Your input is valuable,” or “The system requires constant energy input.”

Conclusion

In summary, both “input” and “inputted” are correct, but their usage depends on the grammatical role and tense you intend. “Input” serves as a noun (data, contribution) or the base form of the verb (to enter, to contribute). “Inputted” is specifically the past tense and past participle of the verb “to input,” indicating a completed action. Understanding this distinction allows for precise and clear communication. Pro Tip: When in doubt about using the past tense, choosing “inputted” often provides greater clarity and avoids potential ambiguity, especially in professional or technical writing, helping to maintain your reputation for accuracy.