The third form of the verb "end" is ended.
Understanding Verb Forms in English
In English grammar, verb forms, often referred to as principal parts, are crucial for conjugating verbs into different tenses and voices. When a "third form" is requested, it most commonly refers to the past participle. For regular verbs like "end," the simple past tense and the past participle are identical.
Principal Parts of the Verb "End"
The verb "end" is a regular verb, meaning it forms its past tense and past participle by adding "-ed" to the base form. Below is a breakdown of its main forms:
| Verb Form | Form of "End" | Description and Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Base Form | end | The root form of the verb. Example: They want to end the discussion. |
| Simple Past | ended | Used for actions completed at a specific time in the past. Example: The movie ended abruptly. |
| Past Participle | ended | Used in perfect tenses and the passive voice. Example: The contract has ended. |
| Present Participle | ending | Used in progressive tenses and as a gerund. Example: The story is ending well. |
| Third Person Singular | ends | Used with singular subjects in the simple present tense. Example: She ends her work by 6 PM. |
The Past Participle: "Ended"
As a regular verb, "end" conveniently uses the same form, ended, for both its simple past tense and its past participle. This makes it straightforward to use in various grammatical constructions. The past participle form of a verb, like "ended," is essential for:
- Forming Perfect Tenses: These tenses describe actions completed before another point in time or actions with a connection to the present.
- Constructing the Passive Voice: In the passive voice, the subject receives the action of the verb.
Using "Ended" in Perfect Tenses
The past participle "ended" is combined with auxiliary verbs (like have, has, had, will have) to form perfect tenses:
- Present Perfect: Indicates an action completed in the past with relevance to the present.
- Example: The game has ended, so we can go home now.
- Past Perfect: Describes an action that was completed before another action or time in the past.
- Example: By the time we arrived, the concert had already ended.
- Future Perfect: Refers to an action that will be completed by a certain time in the future.
- Example: The project will have ended by the end of the month.
Using "Ended" in the Passive Voice
The passive voice uses a form of the verb "to be" followed by the past participle. "Ended" is crucial here:
- Examples:
- The dispute was ended by a mutual agreement.
- The old tradition will be ended next year.
- The argument has been ended by a clear resolution.
Practical Applications and Common Phrases
Understanding the role of "ended" helps in forming grammatically correct and clear sentences.
Here are some practical insights:
- To state completion: "The meeting ended at noon."
- When an action is complete with current relevance: "Our supply of coffee has ended."
- In formal reports: "The investigation was ended due to lack of evidence."
The ability to correctly use "ended" as the past participle is fundamental for expressing actions that have been completed in various temporal contexts and for constructing passive voice sentences effectively. For more details on verb forms and participles, you can refer to comprehensive English grammar resources such as this explanation on past participles.
