Quick Answer An ellipsis is three dots (…). Use it to show missing words, a pause, or a thought that is not finished. “I wanted to tell you, but…” (the thought trails off — we do not know the rest) Three Dots, Three Uses — See How an Ellipsis Works Look at these sentences. Watch…
Quick Answer The past tense of hurt is hurt. It does not change. “Hurted” is not a real English word. Example: I hurt my knee yesterday. Hurt, Hurt, Hurt — See the Pattern Look at these sentences. Can you see the pattern? I hurt my arm yesterday. (past) She has hurt her back before. (with…
Quick Answer The three forms are give (present), gave (past), and given (with have/has/had). Now: I give her a present. Yesterday: I gave her a present. With have: I have given her a present. Give, Gave, Given — See the Pattern Read these sentences. Can you see the pattern? Did you notice? Give is for…
Quick Answer The past tense of deal is dealt. It is the same with “have,” “has,” or “had” — always dealt. Every day: I deal with problems at work. Yesterday: I dealt with a difficult customer. Many times: I have dealt with this before. Deal and Dealt — See the Pattern Read these sentences. Look…
Quick Answer Criterion means one standard. Criteria means two or more standards. So you would say “one criterion” but “three criteria”. ✓ The main criterion is age. (one rule)✓ The criteria are age, height, and weight. (more than one rule) Criterion and Criteria — See the Pattern Look at these four sentences. Watch the word…
Quick Answer The past tense of come is came. With “have,” “has,” or “had,” use come again (not “came”). Every day: I come home at six. Yesterday: I came home late. Many times: I have come home late before. Come, Came, Come — See the Pattern Read these sentences. Look at how the verb changes:…
Quick Answer The past tense of catch is caught. “Catched” is not a real English word. Example: “She caught the ball.” Catch, Caught, Caught — See the Pattern Look at these sentences. Can you see how catch changes? Did you see the pattern? The past form and the “have” form are the same word —…
Quick Answer The past tense of burst is burst. It stays the same. “Bursted” is not a real word. Now: The balloon bursts. Yesterday: The balloon burst. Many times: The balloon has burst before. Burst, Burst, Burst — See the Pattern Read these sentences. Watch what happens to the verb: Did you see it? The…
Quick Answer The past tense of blow is blew. With have, has, or had, use blown. Example: “The wind blew hard” and “The balloons have been blown up.” Blow, Blew, Blown — See the Pattern Look at these sentences. Can you see how blow changes? Did you see the pattern? Blew is for the past….
Quick Answer The past tense of begin is began. With “have,” “has,” or “had,” use begun. Every day: I begin work at nine. Yesterday: I began work early. Many times: I have begun many new projects. Begin, Began, Begun — See the Pattern Read these sentences. Look at how the verb changes: Did you see…
