Shined vs Shone
What’s the difference between them?
Shined
Meaning:
To make bright or shiny by polishing.
Examples:
1. With a soft cloth, she carefully shined her leather shoes until they gleamed.
2. The diligent custodian regularly shined the floors, giving them a glossy and well-maintained appearance.
3. He took pride in the meticulous way he shined his vintage car, ensuring it reflected sunlight with a brilliant sparkle.
Shone
Meaning:
Past tense of 'shine', meaning to emit or reflect bright light.
Examples:
1) The bright sun shone through the window.
2) She shone a flashlight around the dark room.
3) His shoes shone brightly in the light.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Shined
1. Polished
2. Gleamed
3. Buffed
4. Burnished
5. Radiated
1. Dulled
2. Faded
3. Dimmed
4. Unpolished
5. Diminished
Shone
1. Gleamed
2. Illuminated
3. Radiated
4. Glowed
5. Shimmered
1. Dimmed
2. Dulled
3. Faded
4. Darkened
5. Failed to Illuminate
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Shined", "Shone".
1. 'Shined' often implies an action someone took to make something else bright or polished. For instance, 'He shined his shoes.'
2. 'Shone' usually refers to something inherently emitting light or reflecting it. For instance, 'The sun shone brightly.'
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the first word be used?
'Shined' should be used when describing the act of polishing or making something bright and reflective. For example, you could say, 'She shined her shoes until they sparkled.'
When is the appropriate context for using the second word?
'Shone' is used when describing something that is already bright and glowing. For example, 'The sun shone brightly on the beach.'
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, the two words do not share the same pronunciation. 'Shined' is pronounced with a long i sound (as in 'mine'), whereas 'shone' is pronounced with a short o sound (as in 'on').
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
Common mistakes people make when using these words involve confusing the two words. While 'shined' is used to describe an action, 'shone' is used to describe a state of being. Therefore, 'She shined brightly' is incorrect, as it should be 'She shone brightly'.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. He ________ his flashlight directly into my eyes, making me squint.
2. The moon ________ brightly last night, illuminating the entire meadow.
3. At the American boot camp, the cadets ________ their shoes until they were gleaming.
4. The stars ________ in the clear British countryside, free from city lights.
5. She ________ her grandmothers old silverware until it looked brand new.
6. As she opened the treasure chest, the gold inside ________ brilliantly.
1. He shone his flashlight directly into my eyes, making me squint.
Explanation: This usage pertains to the emission of light, so shone is appropriate.
2. The moon shone brightly last night, illuminating the entire meadow.
Explanation: This refers to the natural light emitted by the moon, so shone is the correct choice.
3. At the American boot camp, the cadets shined their shoes until they were gleaming.
Explanation: The context American boot camp hints at American English, and since the action is about polishing, shined is suitable.
4. The stars shone in the clear British countryside, free from city lights.
Explanation: This sentence refers to the natural light of stars and includes a British context, making shone appropriate.
5. She shined her grandmothers old silverware until it looked brand new.
Explanation: This action pertains to polishing, so shined is the correct choice.
6. As she opened the treasure chest, the gold inside shone brilliantly.
Explanation: The gold is reflecting light, thus shone is the suitable choice.
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Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.