“split.” Is like a chameleon, weaving its way through sentences in present, past, and even future. But sometimes, the past tense can trip us up. Not to worry anyway! This article is highly equipped to settle the grammatical confusion.
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Contents
Now, pull your seat closer and listen
“split” is what we call an irregular verb. Unlike its well-behaved buddies that add “-ed” to become their past tense selves (“jump” to “jumped”), “split” marches to the beat of its own drum.
So, what’s the secret sauce?
The past tense of “split” is… wait for it… still “split”! Yes, you read that right. It’s a time-traveling verb, existing in both present and past without changing a single letter.
But there’s more to learn
Now, before you start rewriting your entire essay with “split” sprinkled everywhere, there are a few things to keep in mind. While “split” is its past tense twin, it also has a partner in crime: “splitted.”
This sneaky impostor can sometimes sneak into your writing, but be warned: it’s considered grammatically incorrect in most formal contexts.
Think of “splitted” as the rebellious cousin of “split,” hanging out in informal situations or adding a touch of whimsy to your writing.
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So, when do you use “split” and when do you give “splitted” the side-eye?
Here’s your cheat sheet.
Use “split” when:
You’re writing in a formal context, like an essay or a business email
You want to be clear and concise.
You’re talking about something that happened in the past.
Use “splitted” when:
You’re writing in a casual or informal setting, like a text message or a funny story.
You want to add a touch of humor or playfulness to your writing.
You’re quoting someone who might use “splitted” in their speech.
Remember, just like any powerful tool, “split” and “splitted” should be used responsibly. Choose the right one for the situation, and you’ll be navigating the past tense of “split” like a seasoned wordsmith.
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Now the Past Participle Party!
We’ve tackled the past tense, but the journey doesn’t end there. The past participle of “split” is also… “split”! It’s a triple threat, conquering all three verb tenses with the same unwavering form.
So, if you ever encounter sentences like “The wood had split,” or “They had split up after the argument,” you know exactly what’s going on.
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Final Thoughts
You will agree with me that the past tense of “split” is no longer a mystery. For a last-minute reminder, the past tense of “split” is split.
Remember, it’s all about choosing the right form for the context and wielding it with confidence. Now go ahead and split (or splitted, if you’re feeling adventurous) those sentences with some guts.