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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Vocabulary
When to use "ate" and "eaten"
My girlfriend gets confused with the use of the words "ate" and "eaten". Can someone explain in simple terms how these terms work? Specifically she uses the word "ate" in sentences like this, "She hasn't ate yet" or "The kids haven't ate yet". Is this proper or should she be using the word "eaten" in this context?
Top answer
Hi, 'Ate' is Simple Past tense. eg I ate dinner yesterday. 'Eaten' is the past participle.
- Hi, 'Ate' is Simple Past tense.
- eg I ate dinner yesterday.
- 'Eaten' is the past participle.
- eg I'm not hungry.
- I have eaten dinner.
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23 Answers
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Hi,
'Ate' is Simple Past tense. eg I ate dinner yesterday.
'Eaten' is the past participle. eg I'm not hungry. I have eaten dinner.
But people who speak this way do not usually understand grammatical explanations.
You could tell her that's why we say 'I have gone' and not 'I have went', but I wouldn't be surprised if she says
'Ate' is Simple Past tense. eg I ate dinner yesterday.
'Eaten' is the past participle. eg I'm not hungry. I have eaten dinner.
But people who speak this way do not usually understand grammatical explanations.
You could tell her that's why we say 'I have gone' and not 'I have went', but I wouldn't be surprised if she says
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Oh well. At least she knows when to use the present perfect, and the 3rd person singular! 
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Actually, to really tell would be looking out for Verb Phrases. eg. has, have, had;
EXAMPLE : i HAVE eaten. Now when you use Past Participle,Keep that hint in mind.
When you say "I ate already." No has,have, had , right? & now add have after "i" and change the past in to a past participle which is "eaten"
-English Teacher
EXAMPLE : i HAVE eaten. Now when you use Past Participle,Keep that hint in mind.
When you say "I ate already." No has,have, had , right? & now add have after "i" and change the past in to a past participle which is "eaten"
-English Teacher
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AnonymousActually, to really tell would be looking out for Verb Phrases. eg. has, have, had;
EXAMPLE : i HAVE eaten. Now when you use Past Participle,Keep that hint in mind.
When you say "I ate already." No has,have, had , right? & now add have after "i" and change the past in to a past participle which is "eaten"
-English Teacher
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How to use of have &has with ask ,about meals drink more other please tell well?
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How to use of have &;has with ask ,about meals drink more other please tell well?
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Mother asked, "Son, have you eaten your lunch? Did you drink all your milk?"
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I am an English instructor and I was thinking the exact same thing. Sentence structure would be nice, too. 
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Anonymous Anonymousthe exact same thing. exactly the same thing.'The exact same thing' seems to be common in AmE:
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