A Reflection on The Past Tense of Ride

Let’s hit the ground running by dispelling the misconception that  “rided” is the past tense of “ride,” Imagine a cowboy drawing, “I rided that bronco to sundown!” – it just doesn’t bring about the same ring, does it?

Now, Why is “Rode” The Chosen one?

For a fact, it is only right that we get into the world of irregular verbs to remind ourselves that they are like the rebels of the grammar world, which outrightly refuses to follow the “add -ed” rule for forming the past tense. They’re like the rockstars of verbs, with their unique melodies and rhythms.

READ ALSO: Interesting Fact About the Past Tense of Meet

But Why “Rode”? Why Not “Rided” or “Rid”?

Well, this is because we’re taking a trip back in time! The verb “ride” actually has Old English roots, where it was known as “ridan.”

This ancient verb had a past tense form of “rod,” which eventually evolved into our modern “rode.” So, you see, “rode” isn’t just some random choice – it’s a testament to the history of the English language, a living woven from threads of centuries past.

Let’s Dig out More Facts

Remember I mentioned “riden”? Well, that’s not just some forgotten cousin of “rode.” It’s the past participle of “ride,” used in perfect tenses and passive voice constructions. So, you can say “The motorcycle was ridden by the child.” Or “I have ridden a horse”

Now, Let’s Put This Knowledge Into Practice!

Imagine you’re sharing a story about your epic bike ride through the countryside. You wouldn’t say, “I rided my bike for hours,” would you?

That sounds clunky and awkward. Instead, you’d say, “I rode my bicycle for some time, feeling the sun on my face and the wind on my hair.” You see how “rode” flows smoothly, adding a touch of dynamism to your narrative?

READ ALSO: Fall – A Reflection on the Paste Tense

There Are Two Main Ways To Use “Ride” in The Past

The past simple and the past participle. Each one has its unique function.

  •  Past Simple:

Think of the past simply as a snapshot of something that happened once upon a time. It’s all about telling a story about a completed action that took place in the past.

For example:

I rode my bike to school yesterday.

We rode the roller coaster until our stomachs went into orbit.

The cowboy rode off into the sunset, never to be seen again (except in sequels, of course).

Remember, when using the past simple, it’s “rode,” not “rider.” Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! “Rided” might sound tempting, but it’s a grammatical no-no. Stick to “rode” and you’ll be cruising smoothly through past-tense territory.

  • Past Participle:

The past participle is a bit more versatile. It teams up with auxiliary verbs like “have,” “has,” “had,” and “been” to form perfect tenses and the passive voice. Think of it as a verb wearing a fancy hat, ready to play a more complex role in your sentence.

Here are a few examples:

I have ridden horses before, but I’m more of a dog person.

The car has never been ridden since it was painted pink with polka dots.

By the time we arrived, the Ferris wheel had already been ridden by a million screaming people.

Notice how “ridden” comes into play here? It’s no longer just describing a single action, but rather a state of being or a completed action with ongoing consequences.

READ ALSO: A Guide on The Past Tense of Bleed

Final Thoughts

Without thinking too much, the past tense of “ride” is no longer a mystery, all thanks to this article. You’ve learned the difference between “rode” and “ridden,” it also tackled the past simple and the past participle.

It’s time to ride the grammatical waves with confidence. Just remember, don’t “ride” someone for their grammar mistakes. Be a helpful companion on their language journey, just like we’ve been on yours today.

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