The past participle of “wear” is worn.
What does the verb “wear” mean?
The verb “wear” means to have something on one’s body as clothing, decoration, or protection. For example:
- She likes to wear bright colours.
What are the forms of the verb “wear”?
“Wear” is an irregular verb, meaning its past forms don’t follow the regular pattern of simply adding “-ed.” Here’s the correct conjugation of “wear”:
- Base Form: wear
- Past Tense: wore
- Past Participle: worn
What is the difference between “wore” and “worn”?
Understanding the difference between “wore” and “worn” is essential for using the verb “wear” correctly in both writing and speaking. While both forms are related to the same root verb, they serve distinct purposes in English grammar. Let’s explore how and when to use each form with examples to make the distinction clear.
- Wore: This is the simple past tense of “wear” and is used to describe a completed action in the past.
Example: Yesterday, she wore a red dress. - Worn: This is the past participle form, used with helping verbs like “has,” “have,” or “had” to indicate perfect tenses or in passive voice.
Example: She has worn that outfit many times.
When should you use “worn”?
“Worn” is used in specific contexts, such as:
- Present Perfect Tense:
- I have worn these shoes all day.
- Past Perfect Tense:
- By the time he arrived, I had already worn my jacket.
- Passive Voice:
- The uniform was worn by all employees.
Common Mistakes
A common error is using “worn” instead of “wore” or vice versa. For instance:
- Incorrect: She has wore that dress before.
- Correct: She has worn that dress before.
Fun Fact
The word “worn” can also function as an adjective, meaning “damaged or used over time.” Example: The old carpet looked worn.
Understanding verb forms is essential for improving grammar and communication. If you have more questions about verb usage or grammar, let us know in the comments!
Common Doubts