Gravity will always have its wicked way with clumsy toddlers or probably, anything that goes up as science will have it. But what do you say when these vibrant scenes fade into the past?
The answer lies in the world of verb tenses, specifically the past tense of “fall.” This verb does not follow a predictable pattern.
So, it doesn’t end with an “-ed” like you have with “jumped,” “laughed,” “baked” and others. Obviously, “fall” isn’t content with playing by the rules. It’s a rebel, a maverick, a verb with a secret identity known as… fell.
READ ALSO: Facts About the Past Tense of Blow
Contents
Now the past tense of “fall”
As hinted above, “fell” is the past tense of “fall,” plain and simple. No fancy “-ed” business, no second-guessing.
It’s like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat – unexpected, delightful, and slightly unnerving if you think about it too long.
But wait, there’s more for you!
The rabbit in this case has a fluffy tail called the past participle: fallen. This tail comes into play when things get more complex, like in perfect tenses (“I have fallen for you, deeply and irrevocably”) or passive voice (“The apple was fallen, bruised but triumphant”).
Remember, though, that “fallen” can also be an adjective, describing something that, well, fell (“The fallen leaves crunched under my feet”). You just need to be a bit more careful to avoid any mix-ups.
READ ALSO: A Guide on The Past Tense of Bleed
Below are some practical examples
Here are some practical examples of how to use the past tense of “fall” in different contexts.
“The leaves fell from the trees as autumn arrived.”
“He tripped and fell onto the pavement, but thankfully wasn’t hurt.”
“She fell asleep on the sofa while reading.”
“The stock market fell immediately after the not-so-good news.”
“We fell in love years ago during that romantic trip to Paris.”
“They fell out of touch after moving to different states.”
“The child fell ill and had to miss the excursion.”
“The Kingdom fell to the invaders after a long siege.”
“The meteor fell from the sky, creating a giant crater in the desert.”
Some fun facts about the verb “fall”
Did you know that the word “fall” can also refer to the season? And guess what? Its past tense is… still “fall”!. In some parts of the UK and Ireland, “fell” is also used as a noun to mean “a hill.”
So, if you’re ever hiking in the Scottish Highlands, you might hear someone say, “Let’s climb that fell over there.”
READ ALSO: Facts about the Past Tense of Split
Final Thoughts
It’s no more a secret! The past tense of “fall” is revealed. But, don’t forget it’s “fell” for simple past, and “fallen” for perfect tenses. You can now use the verb tense to spice up your communication preferences.