Bereave past tense

Meaning of bereave

to deprive of a loved one through a profound absence, especially due to the loved one's death.

Infinitive

Word: bereave /bɪˈriːv/

Examples:

1. Bereavement touches everyone differently, leaving some to cope better than others.
2. Families often find that the support of friends can ease the burden that bereavement brings.
3. After her parents passed away, she felt the harsh reality of what it means to be bereaved at such a young age.

Past Simple

Word: bereaved /bɪˈriːvd/

Examples:

1. The sudden accident bereaved her of her husband, leaving her to face the world alone.
2. The war bereaved many children of their parents, casting a long shadow over their futures.
3. He bereaved the community, marking the end of an era.

Past Participle

Word: bereaved /bɪˈrɪvd/

Examples:

1. They had been bereaved of their grandmother just last year.
2. The community was bereaved by the sudden loss of its leader.
3. The soldier's family was bereaved when he did not return from the war.

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Bare infinitive

When describing a regular action, state, or event that is currently true or happens on a regular basis.
Example. 'That disease frequently bereaves families of their loved ones.'
Example. 'A sudden tragedy can bereave a person of all hope.'
For general truths or facts.
Example. 'That disease frequently bereaves families of their loved ones.'
Example. 'A sudden tragedy can bereave a person of all hope.'

Past Simple

When speaking about a specific action or event that began and ended in the past.
Example. 'The war left her bereaved of both parents.'
Example. 'They were bereaved of their family treasures during the theft.'
In storytelling, to describe actions/events that took place in the past.
Example. 'The war left her bereaved of both parents.'
Example. 'They were bereaved of their family treasures during the theft.'

Past Participle

In the perfect tenses (present perfect, past perfect, etc.) to talk about actions/events that have relevance to the present moment or were completed at some indefinite time in the past.
Example. 'She has been bereaved of genuine happiness since the incident.'
Example. 'They have been bereaved of their worldly possessions by the disaster.'
Example. 'The bereaved mother sought solace in her remaining family.'
Example. 'Following the calamity, the bereaved villagers came together to rebuild their community.'
As an adjective, to describe someone or something that has lost a loved one or has been deprived of something.
Example. 'She has been bereaved of genuine happiness since the incident.'
Example. 'They have been bereaved of their worldly possessions by the disaster.'
Example. 'The bereaved mother sought solace in her remaining family.'
Example. 'Following the calamity, the bereaved villagers came together to rebuild their community.'

Common mistakes

— 01

Incorrect Use of the Past Simple

A common mistake with the verb 'bereave' is using its past simple form incorrectly. The correct past simple form of 'bereave' is 'bereaved.' However, many mistakenly use 'bereave' or 'bereft' in places where 'bereaved' should be used. For example, it's incorrect to say, 'He bereave his family last year,' or 'He was bereft his rights.' The correct sentence should be, 'He bereaved his family last year.'

— 02

Misusing the Past Participle

Another frequent error involves the past participle form of 'bereave,' which is also 'bereaved.' However, 'bereft' is often incorrectly used as the past participle in passive constructions or perfect tenses. For instance, saying, 'He has been bereft of his duties' is a common error when it should be 'He has been bereaved of his duties.' While 'bereft' is indeed associated with 'bereave,' it is used differently, typically as an adjective meaning deprived of or lacking something.

— 03

Confusion Between Forms

'Bereaved' is used as the past simple and past participle form of 'bereave,' indicating the action of being deprived of a loved one through a profound absence, especially due to the loved one's death. 'Bereft,' on the other hand, is an adjective describing someone who has lost something or someone very precious. Mistakenly interchanging these forms, such as saying, 'She felt very bereaved,' when it should be 'She felt very bereft,' is a common mistake.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the past tense of 'bereave'?

The past tense of 'bereave' is 'bereaved' or 'bereft.' Both forms are correct, but they tend to be used in slightly different contexts. 'Bereaved' is commonly used as a verb to indicate the action of depriving of something, especially relating to loss due to death. For example. 'The tragic accident bereaved her of her parents.' On the other hand, 'bereft' is often used as an adjective to describe a state of intense loss. For instance. 'After her partner's death, she felt utterly bereft.'

What is the past participle of 'bereave'?

The past participle of 'bereave' is the same as its past tense - 'bereaved' or 'bereft.' In perfect tenses, you use it with auxiliary verbs to indicate actions or states relating to loss that occurred in the past but are relevant to the present. Examples include. 'She has bereaved many close to her over the years.' Or, 'He is bereft of any close family members.'

How do you use 'bereave' in a sentence to indicate a past action?

To indicate a past action using 'bereave,' you can structure your sentences in the past simple tense if referring to a specific event, or use the past participle in perfect tense constructions for actions affecting the present. Examples. Past Simple. 'The war bereaved him of his childhood friends.' Present Perfect. 'She has been bereaved of her companionship.'

Can 'bereaved' and 'bereft' be used interchangeably?

While 'bereaved' and 'bereft' are both derived from 'bereave' and can be used to talk about loss, they are not always interchangeable. 'Bereaved' is typically used as a verb or an adjective to describe someone who has lost a loved one, often in formal contexts or specific phrases like 'bereaved families.' 'Bereft' is used as an adjective to express a feeling of missing something very dear or necessary, not exclusively through death, and it can carry a more poetic or profound connotation. For example. 'She is bereaved' focuses on the state of having lost someone, while 'She is bereft' emphasizes the emotional void left by the loss. Understanding the nuances between 'bereaved' and 'bereft' can help in using them appropriately to convey the depth and nature of loss more accurately.