Confusion often arises over the past tense of show: is it shown or showned? This article clears up this common mistake, helping you to use each form correctly in everyday English.
The correct form is shown. “Showned” is not a word in English. Shown is the past participle of the verb “show,” used with auxiliary verbs like “has,” “have,” or “had.” For example, you might say, “She has shown great improvement in her English.”
Using the correct form, like “shown,” ensures clear communication and shows mastery of English verb tenses. Incorrect forms like “showned” can confuse listeners and detract from the speaker’s credibility.
The Right Choice Between “Shown” and “Showned”
In English, we often encounter words that sound or look similar to each other. This can sometimes lead to confusion about which form is correct. One common area of confusion lies in verb forms, especially past participles. If you’ve ever been stuck between “shown” and “showned,” you’re not alone.
Understanding Basic Verb Forms
Let’s break down the English verb. It can be quite the shape-shifter, changing form to match the time we are talking about—past, present, or future. Verbs also change to show if the action is complete or ongoing. These different forms include the base form, past tense, past participle, and present participle. Is this making sense so far?
We’re focusing on the past participle here. Think of the past participle as a handy tool. It helps us describe something that has already happened. For example, we use it after “has,” “have,” or “had,” or to form passive sentences like “The song was played on the radio.”
Where Does “Shown” Come In?
Now, let’s look at the verb “show.” It is an irregular verb. That means it doesn’t follow the usual “-ed” pattern that regular verbs do. Have you ever noticed how we say “taught” and not “teached”? It’s a similar story with “show.”
The past tense of “show” is “showed”. When we move into the past participle, it changes to “shown”. For instance:
- “She has shown great improvement.”
- “The documents were shown to the committee yesterday.”
What About “Showned”?
What happens when words like “showned” pop up? It sounds like it could be correct, especially following the pattern of some other verbs, right? Well, here’s the straightforward truth: “showned” is not a real word, according to modern English rules.
It’s easy to see why someone might add “-ed” to “show” and think it forms a correct past participle. After all, we do this with many verbs. “Walk” becomes “walked,” and “jump” becomes “jumped.” But “show” is more like “give,” which becomes “gave” and “given,” not “gived” or “givened.”
Authentic Examples to Guide You
Let’s put this into real-life examples to see why “shown” is correct and “showned” is not. Imagine you’re talking about a movie you recently watched:
- Correct: “I have shown my friend that movie before.”
- Incorrect: “I have showned my friend that movie before.”
Or perhaps you’re discussing a presentation at a meeting:
- Correct: “The project was shown to the entire team.”
- Incorrect: “The project was showned to the entre team.”
Why Is Consistency Important?
Using the correct form of a verb helps keep communication clear and professional. Can you imagine reading a book where the verbs kept changing forms erratically? It would be confusing and distract from the story. By using verbs correctly, we respect the language and make sure our message isn’t lost in translation.
Conclusion
Remember, “shown” is the past participle and the correct form to use. Stick with that, and you’ll be in good shape. The next time you come across “showned,” you’ll know it’s not part of standard English. Isn’t it better to have this cleared up?
Your Turn!
Now that the air is clear, think about other verbs that can be tricky. Did this explanation help simplify things for you? Every language has its quirks, and English is no exception. The key is to keep asking questions and learning. What verb forms do you find tricky?
