When it comes to the past participle of the verb “ride,” there is often confusion between “ridden” and “riden.” Which one is correct? Well, the answer is quite simple. “Ridden” is the correct form to use in standard English.
Before we learn the details, let’s first understand what a past participle is. In English grammar, the past participle is a verb form that typically represents completed action. It is used in perfect tenses and passive voice constructions. For example, “I have ridden my bike” or “The bike was ridden by me.”
So, why is “ridden” the correct form? To understand this, we need to consider the rules of English inflection. In regular verbs, the past participle is usually formed by adding “-ed” to the base form of the verb. For example, “walk” becomes “walked,” “talk” becomes “talked,” and so on. However, “ride” is not a regular verb. Its past tense and past participle are formed by adding “-n” instead of “-ed.”
Let’s look at some examples to illustrate this further:
– I have ridden horses in the countryside.
– She had ridden her bike to work every day last week.
– They will have ridden the roller coaster by the time we arrive.
In each of these examples, “ridden” is used as the correct past participle form of “ride.”
On the other hand, “riden” is not a recognized form in standard English. It is considered nonstandard and outdated. However, it can occasionally be found in non-standard dialects or archaic texts. For instance, you might come across it in older literature or poetry. Nonetheless, it is essential to note that “riden” should not be used in modern, everyday English.
To summarize, “ridden” is the correct past participle form of “ride” in standard English. It is used in perfect tenses and passive voice constructions to indicate completed action. Avoid using “riden” as it is nonstandard and outdated.
Now that we’ve settled the confusion between “ridden” and “riden,” it’s time to ride on with your English language journey. Remember to use “ridden” in your conversations, essays, and IELTS writing tasks to demonstrate your grasp of correct grammar and vocabulary. Keep practicing and exploring the nuances of English, and you’ll soon be riding high with your language skills. Good luck!