Ah, the age-old question of “shown” versus “showned.” It’s a dilemma that many English language learners, especially those preparing for the IELTS exam, can get confused about. But fear not, for and an IELTS tutor, I am here to shed some light on this issue.
To put it simply, the correct form is “shown,” not “showned.” The verb “show” follows regular English conjugation rules, and the past participle form is “shown.” This is the case for both American English and British English.
Let’s break it down and take a close look at the reasons behind this:
1. Regular English verb conjugation: In English, most verbs follow regular conjugation patterns, which means they form the past tense by adding “-ed” to the base form. For example, “talk” becomes “talked,” “walk” becomes “walked,” and so on. Similarly, “show” becomes “showed” in the past tense. However, it’s important to note that the past participle of “show” is “shown,” not “showed.” This distinction is crucial when using perfect tenses or passive voice constructions.
Examples:
– I showed him the way to the museum.
– The magician showed us some amazing tricks.
2. Irregular past participles: While most regular verbs follow the “-ed” pattern, there are some verbs that have irregular past participles. These irregular forms do not follow a predictable pattern, so they must be memorized. “Show” is one such verb. The infinitive form is “to show,” the past tense is “showed,” and the past participle is “shown.” It’s important to recognize irregular past participles as they are commonly used in English.
Examples:
– He has shown his dedication to the project.
– The evidence shown in the trial was compelling.
3. Consistency across verb forms: Another reason why “shown” is correct is that it maintains consistency across different verb forms. In English, it’s important to maintain consistency between the base form, past tense, and past participle of a verb. Using “shown” ensures this consistency.
Examples:
– I show him the way every day. (base form)
– I showed him the way yesterday. (past tense)
– I have shown him the way many times. (past participle)
In conclusion, when it comes to “shown” versus “showned,” the correct form to use is “shown.” Remember that regular English verb conjugation rules apply here, and “shown” is the past participle form of the verb “show.” So go ahead and confidently use “shown” in your writing and speaking. Good luck with your language learning journey!