Irregular verbs are everywhere. Why, I could do a blog post on those alone! An irregular verb is one that does not form its past tense by adding -ed. You can probably think of many such verbs: run (ran, not runned), swim (swam, not swimmed), build (built, not builded), and a host of others too numerous to mention.
What about the verb “hang”? Actually, this verb is both regular and irregular because it has two past tenses.
Today, I am hanging a picture on the wall.
Yesterday, however, I hung the picture on the wall.
And many times in the past, I have hung pictures on the wall.
However, the regular past tense, hanged, also exists. Hanged is used only when you are talking about someone in a noose or other hanging device!
The mass murderer was hanged yesterday. (not hung — although he may have been that too!)
So, to sum up, you have hung a picture, but you have hanged a man.
Short blog post while I recover from minor eye surgery and cannot see straight! However, I do have some news items I would like to announce here:
- I will be featured in the Sonoma Living (I think) section of the Press Democrat on Sunday, June 9. In fact, the story is already on line at this link. Click here.
- My novel (published under the pseudonym JoJo Baker is now available on Kindle only, but in a couple of weeks, it will be available on Amazon as a paperback (and possibly on other online retailers as well. Click here.
- My new book, The Best Grammar Workbook Ever, will (with any luck at all) be out in the fall (2013).
Hi there, I check your blogs like every week.
Your story-telling style is witty, keep
up the good work!
Thank you so much! If you aren’t already, sign up and you will receive them automatically once a week.
OK, I have hang down. Now tell us about the verb to light–I lighted the candle, I lit it? Was lighted? Was lit? Is lit, is lighted? Does active or passive make a difference? I always appreciate all your examples.
Sandy – You always have the best comments because you are sooo good at grammar yourself. I am writing down all suggestions, and they will be covered in the blog. I have thought about light and lit, and I would have to brush up on it, but I will. I think lighted and lit are both acceptable as past tense, but I am not sure and will be sure when I write a post about them. Or maybe it is like shined and shone, which are different. I will do those too!
Saw the Press Democrat feature today. Congratulations! We need grammar and spelling hawks!
Thanks, Jennie. Definitely a hawk!
Great post, Arlene.
I love learning about these variations in language.
Can you imagine how sometime, a long time ago, someone in power said something like, “O.K. everyone, if you’re going to use ‘hang’ in the past tense with regards to a person, the past tense is ‘hanged’! In all other cases you will use ‘hung.’ … and that’s final!” ?
So, that begs the question, what about cases when referring to an animate object that is not a person, such as an animal? example”That poor little kitten hanged/hung herself/himself on the cord that controls the window blinds.”
I find these discussions very entertaining. Keep them coming!
–JDay
Thanks, Jon. I think the cat hanged herself….but she hung from a tree!
Arlene, I wish there were a “like” button. Or am I simply overlooking it?
Skye
Hmmmm….good idea! I don’t think there is a like button. First you have to share on Facebook, then I guess you can like!
>>but you have hanged a man.<<
But a man may be hung like a horse and men may have hung out yesterday. (Just kidding with you.)
I wonder why we have different treatments for people and inanimate objects with this particular verb. I can't quickly think of another. It seems to be an exception. I wonder if there is similar treatment in other languages.
People, cars, trains, boats and planes ran yesterday. The movie ran overtime. I ate extra candy when the movie ate up my afternoon. The train climbed up the mountain So did people. I fell asleep and fell off the bed. The train fell off the bridge.
Active/passive doesn't seem to be the key. People and time and fuel can be wasted. People, clocks and records can be beaten. People and stores can be protected. People and rocks can be dropped.
I like your comments Michael! And if you look up “up” in the dictionary, I think it has more meanings and uses than any other word in the language! I should do a blog post on that!!!!
I read about your books and write up. I’m so proud of you! Congratulations!
Thanks, Joan!