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James Carlson @workingcode.com

How’s that? We use those irregular past tense verbs in the US. But we don’t use them with “to be” as a linking verb. So “I am sat” sounds strange to an American. “I sat” is fine.

aug 17, 2025, 10:52 am • 0 0

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Nelle from Meanjin @nelle.bsky.social

I keep reading Americans use the form "he opened the door and spit on the road". It might be non-standard, but it's usually Americans. And yes, "I am sat" sounds strange to Australians too.

aug 17, 2025, 11:43 am • 1 0 • view
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James Carlson @workingcode.com

I’ve heard combos like that before. Not an expert, but it’s as if the first verb establishes the tense and the second goes for the ride. I’d still say “he spat on the road” or “he’d spat on the road.” A bare “he spit on the road” sounds strange, as if “spits” was intended.

aug 17, 2025, 12:45 pm • 2 0 • view
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Reality Bites @danrealitybites.bsky.social

Just goes to show why English language books for learners are often called “Grammar and Usage”.

aug 17, 2025, 12:51 pm • 1 0 • view