Crosswords0 min ago
passed or past?
Is there a rule for which is used when?
Are they just two forms of the same verb used in different tenses or does one refer to motion and the other to time?
Answers
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.'Time past' can, of course, also be used in structures such as: "At what time past each hour does the bus leave?"
you may be right, PP, though I think it's the other way round - strong verbs mutate. But I think learnt/learned is just a standard weak verb that has acquired alternative spellings. (This one is complicated by the adjective, which is always learned - a learned man - but pronounced with two syllables.) Same for pass.
doorknob, you're right; but also: passed is the past participle (he has passed) as well as the straight past tense (he passed); past is a noun (studying the past), and an adjective (past times) as well as a preposition (past the house).
And something you do to pass the time is a pastime...
Mind you, I can see why Americans would have some problems here! You yourself use the word 'leisure' above which is pronounced lejure in British English whereas it's pronounced leejure in American English. Presumably, therefore, by rights you should change the spelling to liesure'! Cheers