Download past tense
Meaning of download
to transfer (data or software) from a larger to a smaller computer system or to a computer's local hard drive from a network or the internet.
Infinitive
- 1. Every week, she downloads the latest episodes of her favorite podcast.
- 2. He always downloads his music instead of streaming it online.
- 3. The application automatically downloads updates to ensure it stays current.
Past Simple
- 1. Yesterday, I downloaded a new app for my phone.
- 2. She downloaded the report from the website before the meeting.
- 3. We downloaded all the episodes of our favorite series last night.
Past Participle
- 1. The movie has been downloaded onto my laptop.
- 2. Data from the satellite had been downloaded before the malfunction.
- 3. The files have been downloaded into the designated folder.
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Bare infinitive
- Habitual ActionsExample. He usually downloads a new book every month.Example. This website downloads faster than the others.Example. The system automatically downloads updates at midnight.Example. First, you download the app from the store.Example. If you download the new software, your computer runs faster.
- General TruthsExample. He usually downloads a new book every month.Example. This website downloads faster than the others.Example. The system automatically downloads updates at midnight.Example. First, you download the app from the store.Example. If you download the new software, your computer runs faster.
- Scheduled Events in the Near Future (often with timetables or schedules)Example. He usually downloads a new book every month.Example. This website downloads faster than the others.Example. The system automatically downloads updates at midnight.Example. First, you download the app from the store.Example. If you download the new software, your computer runs faster.
- Instructions or DirectionsExample. He usually downloads a new book every month.Example. This website downloads faster than the others.Example. The system automatically downloads updates at midnight.Example. First, you download the app from the store.Example. If you download the new software, your computer runs faster.
- Conditional SentencesExample. He usually downloads a new book every month.Example. This website downloads faster than the others.Example. The system automatically downloads updates at midnight.Example. First, you download the app from the store.Example. If you download the new software, your computer runs faster.
Past Simple
- Completed Actions in the PastExample. He downloaded the entire series yesterday.Example. She downloaded the files, installed the software, and restarted her computer.Example. When I was in school, I often downloaded music from the internet.Example. People downloaded more digital books last year than they do now.
- A Series of Completed Actions in the PastExample. He downloaded the entire series yesterday.Example. She downloaded the files, installed the software, and restarted her computer.Example. When I was in school, I often downloaded music from the internet.Example. People downloaded more digital books last year than they do now.
- Habit in the PastExample. He downloaded the entire series yesterday.Example. She downloaded the files, installed the software, and restarted her computer.Example. When I was in school, I often downloaded music from the internet.Example. People downloaded more digital books last year than they do now.
- Past Facts or GeneralizationsExample. He downloaded the entire series yesterday.Example. She downloaded the files, installed the software, and restarted her computer.Example. When I was in school, I often downloaded music from the internet.Example. People downloaded more digital books last year than they do now.
Past Participle
- Present Perfect Tense – actions that occurred at an indefinite time in the past or that began in the past and continue to the presentExample. I have already downloaded the documents you asked for.Example. By the time the meeting started, she had downloaded all the necessary files.Example. By the end of today, we will have downloaded all the required data.Example. The latest episode has been downloaded by thousands of fans.Example. The downloaded files were corrupt and couldn't be opened.
- Past Perfect Tense – actions completed before another action in the pastExample. I have already downloaded the documents you asked for.Example. By the time the meeting started, she had downloaded all the necessary files.Example. By the end of today, we will have downloaded all the required data.Example. The latest episode has been downloaded by thousands of fans.Example. The downloaded files were corrupt and couldn't be opened.
- Future Perfect Tense – actions that will be completed before another expected action in the futureExample. I have already downloaded the documents you asked for.Example. By the time the meeting started, she had downloaded all the necessary files.Example. By the end of today, we will have downloaded all the required data.Example. The latest episode has been downloaded by thousands of fans.Example. The downloaded files were corrupt and couldn't be opened.
- Passive Voice – when the action of downloading is being received by the subjectExample. I have already downloaded the documents you asked for.Example. By the time the meeting started, she had downloaded all the necessary files.Example. By the end of today, we will have downloaded all the required data.Example. The latest episode has been downloaded by thousands of fans.Example. The downloaded files were corrupt and couldn't be opened.
- Adjectives/Participle Adjectives – describing the state of somethingExample. I have already downloaded the documents you asked for.Example. By the time the meeting started, she had downloaded all the necessary files.Example. By the end of today, we will have downloaded all the required data.Example. The latest episode has been downloaded by thousands of fans.Example. The downloaded files were corrupt and couldn't be opened.
Common mistakes
— 01
Inconsistent Spelling
Since 'download' ends with a consonant followed by a vowel and then another consonant, the correct past form adds '-ed' to become 'downloaded.' However, learners might mistakenly believe it follows a different conjugation pattern, either by omitting one of the consonants or misapplying the rule for doubling the final consonant, leading to spellings like 'downloded' or 'downloadeded.' Understanding that 'download' simply requires the addition of '-ed' for its past tense and past participle forms is crucial to avoid this mistake.
— 02
Pronunciation
The correct pronunciation of 'downloaded' is /ˌdaʊnˈloʊdɪd/, with the '-ed' ending pronounced as 'ɪd' due to the preceding 'd' sound. Learners may struggle with this pronunciation, either by not distinctly pronouncing the 'ɪd' sound, which makes it hard to differentiate from the present tense, or by mispronouncing it in a way that does not match the natural flow of English pronunciation. Emphasizing the correct pronunciation of the '-ed' ending is essential for clear and accurate communication.
— 03
Misapplication in Tense
Although 'downloaded' is correctly used as both the past simple and past participle form, errors can arise in its application within complex tense structures. For example, learners might incorrectly use 'downloaded' when a present tense is intended or misuse it with auxiliary verbs in perfect tense constructions (e.g., 'I have downloaded,' 'They had downloaded') due to a misunderstanding of when and how to use past participle forms correctly. Furthermore, incorrectly substituting 'downloaded' for 'downloading' in present continuous tense (e.g., saying 'I am downloaded' instead of 'I am downloading') demonstrates a misunderstanding of the distinction between past participle and present participle forms.
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