The past tense of the verb "span" is spanned. It is a regular verb, meaning its past tense and past participle forms are created by adding "-ed" to the base form.
Understanding the Conjugation of 'Span'
When discussing events that have already occurred, "spanned" is used consistently across all personal pronouns in the past simple tense. This makes its usage straightforward in English grammar.
Here's how the verb "span" is conjugated in the past tense:
Pronoun | Past Simple Tense |
---|---|
I | spanned |
You | spanned |
He/She/It | spanned |
We | spanned |
They | spanned |
Examples of 'Spanned' in Sentences
Understanding how to use "spanned" in context is crucial for clear and effective communication. Here are some practical examples:
- The bridge spanned the entire gorge, connecting the two villages.
- Her career spanned three decades, marked by numerous achievements.
- The research project spanned from theoretical analysis to practical application over several years.
- His gaze spanned the vast horizon, taking in the beauty of the landscape.
- The team's efforts spanned multiple departments, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
Why 'Spanned' is a Regular Verb
English verbs are primarily categorized as either regular or irregular. Regular verbs form their past tense and past participle by adding -ed
or -d
to the base form. "Span" follows this pattern, becoming "spanned." This simplifies its use, as there are no irregular forms to memorize for its past tense. For more details on verb conjugations, you can refer to reputable grammar resources like Collins Dictionary or similar linguistic guides.
By consistently adding "-ed," "spanned" maintains grammatical uniformity and ease of use in various tenses and sentence structures.