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Hanuman_2000 Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Born

Hello,

Is "born" a verb of its own or it's a past participle of the verb "bear"?

In my dictionary , there is a separate entry for the "born" as well as "bear".

The forms of the verb "bear" are given - bore (past) , borne (past participle).

Could anyone help me?
Thanks
  

Top answer

)). Distinction between born and borne is 17c. Usage Note: Thanks to the vagaries of English spelling, bear has two past participles: born and borne.

— Mister Micawber

  • )).
  • Distinction between born and borne is 17c.
  • Usage Note: Thanks to the vagaries of English spelling, bear has two past participles: born and borne.
  • Traditionally, born is used only in passive constructions referring to birth: I was born in Chicago.
  • For all other uses, including active constructions referring to birth, borne is the standard form: She has borne both her children at home.
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8 Answers
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Bear - bore - born/borne

Old English boren, alternative past participle of beran (see bear (v.)). Distinction between born and borne is 17c.

Usage Note:

Thanks to the vagaries of English spelling, bear has two past participles: born and borne. Traditionally, born is used only in passive constructions referring to birth: I was born in Chica
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By derivation "born" and "borne" are both past participles of "bear", but they have come to be used differently. There is a note at http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/bear#bear__78 that explains it (scroll down to near the bottom of the page).
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Hello,

1. I was born in India.

Does "born" an adjective or the Past participle of the verb "bear"?

Thanks.
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hanuman_2000Does "born" an adjective or the Past participle of the verb "bear"?
No doubt there will be argument, but I certainly feel it as a verb that is usually in the passive.
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Sir,
I have copied the followings from http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/born?q=born

adjective

existing as a result of birth:

she was born in Aberdeen I wa
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hanuman_2000I have copied the followings from http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/born?q=born adjective
Good for you. Why did you ask us. then? Well, I have given my opinion. And this from the American Heritage Dictionary, if we mus
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Sir,

You are my guru!

I am sorry!

Thanks.
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Mister MicawberI certainly feel it as a verb that is usually in the passive.
I agree. In uses like "she was born in Aberdeen", surely it is a passive verb.

Collins dictionary gives "a born musician" as an example of adjectival use.
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