Beat or beaten?

B is correct.

In American English, both are considered correct.

In fact, "beat" seems to be more popular than "beaten" in common conversational English.

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dimsumexpressIn American English, both are considered correct.

In fact, "beat" seems to be more popular than "beaten" in common conversational English.

I have a feeling that 'beaten' is used more when there is a physical beating described, with 'beat' in a less physical sense. Such and such has a taste that can't be 'beat'; the victim was

PhilipI have a feeling that 'beaten' is used more when there is a physical beating described, with 'beat' in a less physical sense. Such and such has a taste that can't be 'beat'; the victim was seriously 'beaten' about the head and shoulders.

Hi Philip,

I see what you meant, and I agree. It's true that "beaten" is often associated with violent

"beaten"

He can't be ___ (must be followed by a past participle), hence "beaten". It does not matter whether in American English it carries violent connotation. Grammatically it is incorrect to use "beat".

It is like saying "this option cannot be chose". Just plainly wrong.

Well, yes, obviously, but 'beat' is also a (colloquial) past participle, like with dwelt/dwelled or fit/fitted

In American business, a store usually brags that its prices can't be BEAT. (No other store has lower prices.) Perhaps "beaten" (with its connotation of physical violence) would sound strange in such a situation.

The technically-incorrect usage of "beat" vs. "beaten" was part of an anti-cancer advertising promotion in the early 1980's. It may well have occurred before this, but this was the first time I noticed and said "No way!" Is anyone else old enough to remember "Cancer can be beat?" (on milk cartons, if I remember correctly)? While I whole-heartedly support that campaign's goals, I was horrified a

I know how you feel, Anonomous. The older I get, the more often I cringe when hearing what would have earned red marks on my homework in the 60's! I endeavor to "let it go" as a natural evolution of the language. But it pains me to read comments in the local newspaper where the author hasn't a clue which spelling of (their/they're/there) to use, or makes a bad guess at a spelling like "eggsackly"

I agree with you, "Anonymous"! However, I believe it is mostly laziness, that people can't be bothered to learn to speak or spell properly. How many times a week do you see 'your' used in place of 'you're'? "Your welcome." "My welcome what?" Part of the spelling issues can be attributed to "Spellcheck", used on most cellphones and computers, which allows most misspelled words to be corrected, with