Grammar: -ed- and -t-Ending Verbs
Most regular verbs take -d or -ed endings in the past tense (climbed, rushed, smoked, touched, washed) while some have retained their older
-t endings (built, felt, lent, meant, spent). But a few troublemakers have alternative -ed and -t endings –
burned, burnt
dreamed, dreamt
kneeled, knelt
leaped, leapt
leaned, leant
learned, learnt
smelled, smelt
spelled, spelt
spilled, spilt
spoiled, spoilt
and their rules of use are unfortunately inconsistent.
Firstly, there is a general American preference for -ed endings and a British preference for -t endings, The Times, for example, choosing -t endings.1
Secondly, some authorities give -ed endings as the past tense (I burned the toast) and -t endings as the past participle (I have burnt the toast), but
none declares the reverse usage to be incorrect. To muddy the waters further, a third convention requires -ed endings when the duration of the action
is important, and -t endings when it is not. In other words, we use -ed endings to imply ‘action going on’ and -t endings to imply ‘action completed’ –
The fire burned for days
(Duration important; action going on)
Carol burnt her finger on the stove
(Duration unimportant; action completed)
I dreamed of her all night
(Duration important)
I dreamt of her last night
(Duration unimportant; the length of the dream is irrelevant)
James always spelled liaise with only one i
(Duration important)
James mistakenly spelt liaise with only one i
(Duration unimportant; it is of no consequence how long it took James to write the word)
It took me a long time before I learned to use the keyboard
(Duration important)
Both James and Carol learnt from their mistakes
(Duration unimportant)
In the circumstances, therefore, it matters little which ending we choose. We can follow either of the ‘rules’ or simply opt for one ending on all
occasions.
When used as adjectives, however, the spellings are fixed –
burnt toast
spilt milk
spoilt child
learned person
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1 The Times Style Guide. No longer available online. Multiple access, 2003–04.