“Was run” or “was ran”? The debate over which term to use has been going on for decades, and it continues to cause confusion for many people. In this article, we will explore the correct use of these terms and provide insight into why they are commonly misused. By the end, you will understand the difference between “was run” and “was ran” and be able to use them correctly in your writing.
First, let’s take a look at the basic definitions of these terms. “Run” is the past participle of the verb “to run,” while “ran” is the simple past tense of the same verb. In other words, “ran” is used to describe an action that has already occurred, while “run” is used to describe an action that is completed.
So when would you use “was run” versus “was ran”? The answer lies in the passive voice. To use the passive voice, you would generally start with what is known as the auxiliary verb “to be” followed by the past participle of the main verb. In this case, “was” is the auxiliary verb, and “run” is the past participle.
Consider the following example:
“The race was run by the fastest runner.”
In this sentence, “was run” is being used correctly in the passive voice. The race has already occurred, and the sentence is describing the fact that it was the fastest runner who completed it.
Now let’s take a look at a sentence that uses “was ran”:
“The marathon was ran by over 1,000 participants.”
This sentence may sound correct at first, but it is actually incorrect. “Ran” is the simple past tense, which is not correct when used in the passive voice. The correct sentence would be:
“The marathon was run by over 1,000 participants.”
In this case, the race is being described as completed by over 1,000 participants. Using “was run” in the passive voice makes more sense linguistically.
So why do people often confuse these two terms? One reason is that they may have grown up hearing others use the incorrect form. Additionally, the English language is full of irregular verbs, so it can be difficult to keep track of which form is correct in each situation.
To help remember the correct usage, it can be helpful to think about the root of the problem: the difference between the simple past tense and the past participle. The simple past tense is used to describe actions that occurred in the past and are now complete, while the past participle is used to describe actions that are completed. When using the passive voice, it is important to remember that the past participle is used after the auxiliary verb “to be.”
Using the correct form of “was run” or “was ran” may seem like a small detail, but it can have a big impact on the clarity of your writing. Using the incorrect form can cause confusion for your readers and may even make your writing seem unprofessional. By taking the time to understand the correct usage and paying attention to which form you are using in your writing, you can avoid this common mistake.
In conclusion, the correct form is “was run” when using the passive voice in the past tense. This form uses the past participle of the verb “to run” and is used to describe actions that are completed. “Was ran” is incorrect in this context as it uses the simple past tense, which does not make sense when used in the passive voice. By keeping the difference between the two forms in mind and using the correct one in your writing, you can avoid confusion and communicate your ideas clearly and effectively.