Definition of preterite in English:
preterite
(US preterit)
adjective ˈprɛt(ə)rɪtˈprɛdərət
Grammar Expressing a past action or state.
Example sentencesExamples
- But what we do in English is shift the subordinate clause verb into preterite inflection (had blue eyes instead of has blue eyes) as if to respect the choice of tense in the main clause.
- While listening to her teacher ramble about the preterit tense, Margaret felt a sharp pain at her side.
- The form knew is the preterite tense form of know.
- I'm not asking that you be able to name the preterit, imperfect, and subjunctive forms of the verb ‘to be.’
- So now look at this sentence, with the preterite form could.
- In Tables 4 and 5, the present and preterite paradigms of the indicative mood of the strong verb bindan (to bind) and of the weak verb heran (to hear) are set out for comparison.
noun ˈprɛt(ə)rɪtˈprɛdərət
Grammar A simple past tense or form.
Example sentencesExamples
- A simple preterite rather than a perfect form is sometimes used for action leading up to the present time, even with adverbs: Did you ever hear that?; I already did it.
- Both of them have a raft of irregular preterites and past participles, suggesting long standing confusion.
- For example, one gives you a choice between sneaked and snuck as the preterite of sneak.
- That minimum is represented in English by verbs such as must and ought, which are modal verb with no preterite (inflected past tense).
- Both shed and crown could therefore be taken as preterites.
Origin
Middle English (in the sense 'bygone, former'): from Latin praeteritus 'gone by', past participle of praeterire, from praeter 'past, beyond' + ire 'go'.
Definition of preterite in US English:
preterite
(also preterit)
adjectiveˈpredərətˈprɛdərət
Grammar Expressing a past action or state.
Example sentencesExamples
- The form knew is the preterite tense form of know.
- In Tables 4 and 5, the present and preterite paradigms of the indicative mood of the strong verb bindan (to bind) and of the weak verb heran (to hear) are set out for comparison.
- I'm not asking that you be able to name the preterit, imperfect, and subjunctive forms of the verb ‘to be.’
- But what we do in English is shift the subordinate clause verb into preterite inflection (had blue eyes instead of has blue eyes) as if to respect the choice of tense in the main clause.
- While listening to her teacher ramble about the preterit tense, Margaret felt a sharp pain at her side.
- So now look at this sentence, with the preterite form could.
nounˈpredərətˈprɛdərət
Grammar A simple past tense or form.
Example sentencesExamples
- Both of them have a raft of irregular preterites and past participles, suggesting long standing confusion.
- That minimum is represented in English by verbs such as must and ought, which are modal verb with no preterite (inflected past tense).
- For example, one gives you a choice between sneaked and snuck as the preterite of sneak.
- Both shed and crown could therefore be taken as preterites.
- A simple preterite rather than a perfect form is sometimes used for action leading up to the present time, even with adverbs: Did you ever hear that?; I already did it.
Origin
Middle English (in the sense ‘bygone, former’): from Latin praeteritus ‘gone by’, past participle of praeterire, from praeter ‘past, beyond’ + ire ‘go’.