Born is a common verb in the English language, but many learners struggle with its past tense form. In this article, we will explore the past tense of born, provide clear explanations and examples to help you get to know how to use it correctly in your writing and speech. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of this irregular verb form and be able to use it with confidence in your English communication.
Past Tense of Born
Born: A Verb in Context
Etymology
The word “born” is the past participle of the verb “bear,” which comes from the Old English word “beran.” “Beran” meant to carry or bear a burden, and it was used to describe the physical act of giving birth. Over time, “beran” evolved into “bear,” and “born” became the past participle of “bear.”
Usage in English Language
The verb “born” is used to describe the act of coming into existence or being brought into the world. It is often used in the passive voice, as in “I was born in 1990.” “Born” can also be used as an adjective, as in “I am a born leader.”
Here are some examples of how “born” is used in sentences:
- She was born in a small town in the Midwest.
- The company was born out of a desire to create sustainable products.
- He was a born athlete and excelled in every sport he tried.
It’s important to note that “born” is not interchangeable with “borne.” “Borne” is the past participle of the verb “bear” when it means to carry or support. For example, “She has borne the burden of caring for her sick mother.”
In summary, “born” is the past participle of the verb “bear” and is used to describe the act of coming into existence or being brought into the world. It is not interchangeable with “borne.”
Past Tense of Born
Grammatical Rules
When “born” is used as a verb, it refers to the act of giving birth. For example, “She has born three children.” In contrast, “borne” is used as the past participle of “bear,” which means to carry or support. For example, “She has borne the weight of the world on her shoulders.”
In addition, “borne” is often used in passive voice constructions. For example, “The cost of the project was borne by the company.” In this sentence, “borne” is used to indicate that the company carried the cost of the project.
Examples
Here are some examples that illustrate the correct usage of “borne” and “born”:
- She has borne the brunt of his anger for years.
- The tree has borne fruit for many years.
- The responsibility for the accident was borne by the driver.
- The athlete has born the weight of expectations from his fans.
- The mother has born the pain of childbirth.
It’s important to note that while “born” is commonly used as the past tense of “bear” in American English, it is not considered standard usage in British English. Therefore, it’s important to use “borne” in formal writing and in international contexts.
Overall, understanding the correct usage of “borne” and “born” can help you communicate more effectively in both written and spoken English.
Common Mistakes
When it comes to the past tense of “born”, there are a few common mistakes that English learners tend to make. In this section, we will explore these mistakes and provide examples of how to use the correct form.
Using “borned” instead of “born”
Another mistake is adding “-ed” to “born” to create “borned”. However, “borned” is not a correct form of the verb “born”. The correct form is simply “born”.
Incorrect: He was borned in 1990.
Correct: He was born in 1990.
Using “was born” instead of “were born”
When referring to the birth of multiple people or animals, it is important to use the correct form of the verb “to be”. “Was born” is used for singular subjects, while “were born” is used for plural subjects.
Incorrect: They was born in the same hospital.
Correct: They were born in the same hospital.
Confusing “born” and “borne”
Finally, some English learners confuse “born” and “borne”. “Born” is used to refer to the birth of a person or animal, while “borne” is used to refer to carrying or supporting something.
Incorrect: The weight was born by the strongman.
Correct: The weight was borne by the strongman.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can improve your understanding and use of the past tense of “born”.
Practice Exercises
Now that we have covered the rules for using the past tense of “born,” it’s time to put your knowledge to the test with some practice exercises. These exercises will help you solidify your understanding of the topic and improve your ability to use the past tense of “born” correctly in your writing and speaking.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the past tense of “born.”
- My grandfather _______ in 1930.
- She _______ in a small town in Texas.
- They _______ twins last year.
- He _______ in a hospital in New York City.
- We _______ in the same year.
Exercise 2: Rewrite the Sentences
Rewrite the following sentences using the past tense of “born.”
- She is going to be born next month.
- They will be born in the hospital.
- I am going to give birth to a baby girl.
- He was born in the same year as his sister.
- The baby is going to be born on Christmas Day.
Exercise 3: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct form of the past tense of “born” to complete the following sentences.
- My sister and I were/was born in the same year.
- The baby was/were born at home.
- He was/were born in a hospital in Los Angeles.
- They was/were born on the same day.
- She was/were born in a small town in Kansas.
Remember to review your answers and check for any errors. With practice, you’ll become more confident in using the past tense of “born” correctly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the past tense of “born” is “was born” or “were born” depending on the subject of the sentence. It is important to note that “borned” is not a correct form of the past tense of “born”.
To use “was born” correctly, we need to use the appropriate subject pronoun before it. For example, “I was born in 1990” or “She was born in Paris”. Similarly, we use “were born” with plural subjects. For example, “They were born in the same hospital”.
To avoid confusion, it is important to remember that “born” is not a regular verb. Therefore, it does not follow the same rules as other verbs in the past tense.
As with any grammar rule, the best way to master the past tense of “born” is through practice. Try using “was born” and “were born” in different sentences to become more comfortable with them.
Overall, understanding the past tense of “born” is essential for effective communication in English. By using the correct form, we can avoid confusion and clearly convey our message.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of the verb ‘born’?
‘Born’ is the past participle of ‘to bear’. It means to be brought into existence or to come into life. For example, “He was born in 1990.”
What are the verb forms of ‘born’?
The verb forms of ‘born’ are ‘bear’ (present tense), ‘bore’ (past tense), and ‘borne’ (past participle). For example, “She bears a striking resemblance to her mother.”
Should I use ‘born’ or ‘borne’?
Use ‘born’ when it is the past participle of ‘to bear’ and ‘borne’ when it is the past participle of other verbs. For example, “The burden was borne by him” and “She was born in New York.”
Is it ‘born out’ or ‘borne out’?
It is ‘borne out’. For example, “The evidence borne out his theory.”
Is it ‘first born’ or ‘first borne’?
It is ‘first born’. For example, “She is the first born in her family.”
Remember that using the correct form of ‘born’ is important for clear communication in English. Practice using these verb forms in context to improve your grammar skills.
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