Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb Simple past tense and past participle of backshift.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • If the primary tense is already in the past ( 'knew') the backshifted tense will be past perfect ( 'had known').

    Recently Uploaded Slideshows geniusroi 2010

  • For example, if the primary tense is in the simple present (e.g. 'know') the backshifted tense will be in the simple past ( 'knew').

    Recently Uploaded Slideshows geniusroi 2010

  • If the primary tense is already in the past ( 'knew') the backshifted tense will be past perfect ( 'had known').

    Recently Uploaded Slideshows geniusroi 2010

  • For example, if the primary tense is in the simple present (e.g. 'know') the backshifted tense will be in the simple past ( 'knew').

    Recently Uploaded Slideshows geniusroi 2010

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