Is it ‘dragged’ or ‘drug’?

What’s the difference between ‘dragged’ and ‘drug’?

“Dragged” is the standard past tense form of the regular verb “drag.” “Drag” is a regular verb because the past tense and past participle forms are created by adding “-ed.” “Dragged” is widely accepted in British and American English and is the preferred choice for indicating the past tense of “drag” in formal writing and communication. Here are examples of its usage:

• She dragged her heavy suitcase into the hotel room.
• The dead car was dragged out of the street with a tow truck.
• I got up and dragged my chair across the table.
• I dragged myself out of bed to get work.

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On the other hand, “drug” is a non-standard version of the past tense form of “drag.” So, while it conveys the same meaning as “dragged,” it’s primarily used in dialect and informal speech. “Drug” may be acceptable in casual conversation and informal writing, but it’s generally avoided in formal contexts. Some examples of its usage are:

• He drug his feet across the clean, hardwood floor.
• The tabloids drug his reputation through the mud.
• The cat drug her tail on the couch.
• The doorman drug the package to my apartment.

So, when should you use one or the other? It depends on the influence of regional dialect, personal preference, how formal you need to be, or some combination of all of the above. “Drug” is used more commonly in the Southern United States, though if you’re there, you should still use “dragged” in most formal contexts. In formal writing, academic papers, and professional communication, “dragged” is the safest choice as it adheres to standard grammar rules. “Drug” is fine in casual conversation. In writing, if the context or usage are unclear, the verb “drug” may be confused with the noun “drug,” which refers to a medication or substance that has a physiological effect.

How is ‘dragged’ used colloquially?

Depending on how online you are, you may already know that within the United States, the term “dragged” is also a colloquialism on social media and forums to indicate when someone is being disrespected or humiliated. For instance:

• She got dragged for showing up late to the movie.
• You are going to get dragged for being disrespectful.
• He’s getting dragged on X for the posts he made yesterday.

Again, this usage is a colloquialism, specifically found in dialects within the United States. It’s informal and best suited for casual conversation.

While both “dragged” and “drug” convey the same meaning, use “dragged” if you’re ever unsure. “Dragged” is grammatically correct and provides a clear definition. “Drug” is informal. For more insights into dialect, language, and topics like raciolinguistics and formal vs. informal language, explore our library of writing tips.