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Preterit: meaning, definitions and examples

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preterit

 

[ ˈprɛtəˌrɪt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

grammar tense

The preterit, also known as the simple past tense, is a verb tense used to indicate actions that have been completed in the past. It is often formed by adding '-ed' to regular verbs in English, although many common verbs have irregular forms. The preterit is commonly used to describe specific events, sequences of events, or situations that occurred at a definite time in the past. Understanding the preterit is essential for effective communication in English, especially when narrating past events.

Synonyms

past tense, simple past.

Examples of usage

  • I walked to the store yesterday.
  • She finished her homework last night.
  • They visited Paris last summer.

Translations

Translations of the word "preterit" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pretérito

🇮🇳 पूर्वकाल

🇩🇪 Präteritum

🇮🇩 preterit

🇺🇦 прошедший час

🇵🇱 preteritum

🇯🇵 過去形

🇫🇷 prétérit

🇪🇸 pretérito

🇹🇷 geçmiş zaman

🇰🇷 과거형

🇸🇦 الماضي

🇨🇿 preteritum

🇸🇰 preteritum

🇨🇳 过去时

🇸🇮 preterit

🇮🇸 preterit

🇰🇿 өткен шақ

🇬🇪 წარსული დრო

🇦🇿 keçmiş zaman

🇲🇽 pretérito

Etymology

The term 'preterit' originates from the Latin word 'praeteritus', which means 'gone by' or 'past'. In Latin grammar, it referred to a verb form used to express actions that were completed in the past. The adoption of the term into English dates back to the late Middle Ages, where it was used in discussions of grammar and linguistics, particularly in the context of verb conjugations. Over time, the usage of 'preterit' expanded to describe the simple past tense in English and other languages, as educators sought to provide clarity on verb forms and tenses. Understanding the preterit is invaluable for learners of English, particularly those studying the structure of the language, as it highlights the distinction between actions that have occurred and those that are ongoing or habitual.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,226, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.