Used in a Sentence

preterit

How to use preterit in a sentence. Example sentences and definitions for preterit.

Editorial note

The author of the article is suggesting that we use these weird ablaut/umlaut morphs in place of the preterite.

Examples5
Definitions1
Parts of speech1

Quick take

a term formerly used to refer to the simple past tense

Meaning at a glance

The clearest senses and uses of preterit gathered in one view.

noun

a term formerly used to refer to the simple past tense

Definitions

Core meanings and parts of speech for preterit.

noun

a term formerly used to refer to the simple past tense

Example sentences

1

The author of the article is suggesting that we use these weird ablaut/umlaut morphs in place of the preterite.

2

"Blew" is the preterit form of blow, so in this case wouldn't it be based off of the past participle "blown" and be whistleblown?

3

Given that the past participle of "write" is "written" and the preterite is "wrote", the forms of "copywrite" should be "copywrote" and "copywritten", not "copywrited.

4

I learned Spanish in Spanish, for the most part, and I get confused when I see "imperfect" and I have to remember that it's really what I learned as "pasado/preterito imperfecto.

5

" One particular example was when I came to really understand the distinction between the preterite and imperfect in Spanish; another came when I got to grips with Latin's ablative case.

Frequently asked questions

Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.

How do you use preterit in a sentence?

The author of the article is suggesting that we use these weird ablaut/umlaut morphs in place of the preterite.

What does preterit mean?

a term formerly used to refer to the simple past tense

What part of speech is preterit?

preterit is commonly used as noun.