Knit past tense

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Meaning of knit

to make (clothing, blankets, etc.) by interlocking loops of yarn with knitting needles or on a machine.

Infinitive

Word: knit /nɪt/
Examples:
  • 1. My grandmother loves to knit blankets for all the family members during winter.
  • 2. He knits whenever he finds some free time; it's his way of relaxing.
  • 3. They knit scarves and hats for the homeless every year as part of their community service project.

Past Simple

Word: knit /ˈnɪ.t/
Examples:
  • 1. She knit a beautiful scarf for her grandmother last winter.
  • 2. He knit his brows in confusion as he read the instructions.
  • 3. They knit together the pieces of fabric to make a patchwork quilt.

Past Participle

Word: knitted /ˈnɪtɪd/
Examples:
  • 1. The sweater was knitted by my grandmother for my birthday.
  • 2. By the end of winter, a new scarf had been knitted for every family member.
  • 3. The pattern has been knitted into the fabric meticulously.

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Bare infinitive

  1. Habitual actions or routines.
    Example. She knits every evening to relax.
    Example. He knows how to knit because it's common in his family.
    Example. The knitting class starts at 9 AM tomorrow.
    Example. Here, she knits the final row to complete the pattern.
  2. General truths or facts.
    Example. She knits every evening to relax.
    Example. He knows how to knit because it's common in his family.
    Example. The knitting class starts at 9 AM tomorrow.
    Example. Here, she knits the final row to complete the pattern.
  3. Scheduled events in the near future (often for public transport, but can apply broadly).
    Example. She knits every evening to relax.
    Example. He knows how to knit because it's common in his family.
    Example. The knitting class starts at 9 AM tomorrow.
    Example. Here, she knits the final row to complete the pattern.
  4. Instructions or directions.
    Example. She knits every evening to relax.
    Example. He knows how to knit because it's common in his family.
    Example. The knitting class starts at 9 AM tomorrow.
    Example. Here, she knits the final row to complete the pattern.
  5. First, you knit one stitch, then you purl the next.
    Example. She knits every evening to relax.
    Example. He knows how to knit because it's common in his family.
    Example. The knitting class starts at 9 AM tomorrow.
    Example. Here, she knits the final row to complete the pattern.
  6. Commentaries (usually in the present tense overall, but can apply).
    Example. She knits every evening to relax.
    Example. He knows how to knit because it's common in his family.
    Example. The knitting class starts at 9 AM tomorrow.
    Example. Here, she knits the final row to complete the pattern.

Past Simple

  1. Actions completed at a specific time in the past.
    Example. She knitted her first scarf last winter.
    Example. He knitted a hat, then he started on a pair of socks.
    Example. We knitted together every weekend when we were younger.
    Example. Almost everyone in my hometown knitted.
    Example. She sat by the fireplace, where she had knitted countless sweaters over the years.
  2. A series of completed actions in the past.
    Example. She knitted her first scarf last winter.
    Example. He knitted a hat, then he started on a pair of socks.
    Example. We knitted together every weekend when we were younger.
    Example. Almost everyone in my hometown knitted.
    Example. She sat by the fireplace, where she had knitted countless sweaters over the years.
  3. Habits or routines in the past (often used with time expressions like “when I was a child,” “last year”).
    Example. She knitted her first scarf last winter.
    Example. He knitted a hat, then he started on a pair of socks.
    Example. We knitted together every weekend when we were younger.
    Example. Almost everyone in my hometown knitted.
    Example. She sat by the fireplace, where she had knitted countless sweaters over the years.
  4. Past facts or generalizations.
    Example. She knitted her first scarf last winter.
    Example. He knitted a hat, then he started on a pair of socks.
    Example. We knitted together every weekend when we were younger.
    Example. Almost everyone in my hometown knitted.
    Example. She sat by the fireplace, where she had knitted countless sweaters over the years.
  5. Background information in stories.
    Example. She knitted her first scarf last winter.
    Example. He knitted a hat, then he started on a pair of socks.
    Example. We knitted together every weekend when we were younger.
    Example. Almost everyone in my hometown knitted.
    Example. She sat by the fireplace, where she had knitted countless sweaters over the years.

Past Participle

  1. Perfect tenses.
    Example. Present Perfect. She has knitted three sweaters this month.
    Example. Past Perfect. Before moving to Spain, he had never knitted.
    Example. Future Perfect. By next year, they will have knitted enough squares to make a quilt.
    Example. A beautiful tapestry was knitted by the community.
    Example. They sold knitted goods at the fair.
    Example. If she had knitted the scarf tighter, it wouldn't have unraveled so easily.
    Example. After she had knitted for several hours, she felt relaxed.
  2. Passive voice (though less common with 'knit').
    Example. Present Perfect. She has knitted three sweaters this month.
    Example. Past Perfect. Before moving to Spain, he had never knitted.
    Example. Future Perfect. By next year, they will have knitted enough squares to make a quilt.
    Example. A beautiful tapestry was knitted by the community.
    Example. They sold knitted goods at the fair.
    Example. If she had knitted the scarf tighter, it wouldn't have unraveled so easily.
    Example. After she had knitted for several hours, she felt relaxed.
  3. Adjective (descriptive) form.
    Example. Present Perfect. She has knitted three sweaters this month.
    Example. Past Perfect. Before moving to Spain, he had never knitted.
    Example. Future Perfect. By next year, they will have knitted enough squares to make a quilt.
    Example. A beautiful tapestry was knitted by the community.
    Example. They sold knitted goods at the fair.
    Example. If she had knitted the scarf tighter, it wouldn't have unraveled so easily.
    Example. After she had knitted for several hours, she felt relaxed.
  4. To express condition (in conditional sentences).
    Example. Present Perfect. She has knitted three sweaters this month.
    Example. Past Perfect. Before moving to Spain, he had never knitted.
    Example. Future Perfect. By next year, they will have knitted enough squares to make a quilt.
    Example. A beautiful tapestry was knitted by the community.
    Example. They sold knitted goods at the fair.
    Example. If she had knitted the scarf tighter, it wouldn't have unraveled so easily.
    Example. After she had knitted for several hours, she felt relaxed.
  5. To express an action occurring before another action in a time clause.
    Example. Present Perfect. She has knitted three sweaters this month.
    Example. Past Perfect. Before moving to Spain, he had never knitted.
    Example. Future Perfect. By next year, they will have knitted enough squares to make a quilt.
    Example. A beautiful tapestry was knitted by the community.
    Example. They sold knitted goods at the fair.
    Example. If she had knitted the scarf tighter, it wouldn't have unraveled so easily.
    Example. After she had knitted for several hours, she felt relaxed.

Common mistakes

— 01

Regular and Irregular Verbs

A common mistake is using 'knited' instead of the correct irregular past simple form 'knit' for the word 'knit.' Unlike regular verbs that add -ed to form the past tense, 'knit' remains the same in both its past simple and past participle forms. This error often arises from the misunderstanding that all verbs should follow the regular pattern of adding -ed for past forms.

— 02

Mistaking the Past Participle

Another frequent error involves using 'knited' as the past participle form instead of the correct 'knit.' People might say 'I have knited a sweater' when it should be 'I have knit a sweater.' This mistake stems from the assumption that the past participle requires an -ed ending, which is not the case for many irregular verbs like 'knit.' Understanding that 'knit' is both the past simple and past participle form is crucial for correct usage in perfect tenses.

— 03

Incorrect Pronunciation

While this mistake pertains more to spoken English, it's worth noting that some learners incorrectly alter the pronunciation of 'knit' when using it in the past tense, thinking it needs to sound different. However, 'knit' is pronounced the same way in both its present and past forms. Mispronunciation might not affect written English but can lead to confusion in spoken communication.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the past simple form of 'knit'?

The past simple form of 'knit' can be either 'knitted' or 'knit.' Both forms are correct, but 'knit' as the past simple form is more commonly used in a traditional or crafting context, while 'knitted' is often used in general contexts. For example, 'Yesterday, I knit/knitted a scarf for my grandmother.'

What is the past participle form of 'knit'?

Similar to its past simple form, the past participle form of 'knit' can also be either 'knitted' or 'knit.' The choice between 'knitted' and 'knit' as the past participle form usually depends on regional preferences or the context in which it is used. For example, 'I have knit/knitted three hats this winter.'

How do I know whether to use 'knit' or 'knitted' in a sentence?

The choice between 'knit' and 'knitted' often depends on personal preference, regional dialect, or the context of the sentence. In general, 'knit' as both past simple and past participle tends to sound more traditional or artisanal, often preferred in crafting and knitting communities. 'Knitted' is more likely to be used in everyday, non-specialist language. Consider your audience and the style of your writing or speech. For instance, in a knitting pattern or community, 'knit' might be more common, whereas in casual conversation, 'knitted' might be more frequently used.

Can you give examples of sentences using 'knit' in its past simple and past participle forms?

Past Simple. 'Last week, I knit a cozy blanket for my cat.' Past Simple Alternative. 'Last week, I knitted a cozy blanket for my cat.' Past Participle. 'I have knit several pairs of socks this year.' Past Participle Alternative. 'I have knitted several pairs of socks this year.' In each case, whether you choose 'knit' or 'knitted' depends on your preference, the context, and whom you are addressing. Both forms are grammatically correct and widely accepted.