Offer past tense
Meaning of offer
to present or proffer something for someone to accept or reject as so desired.
Infinitive
- 1. She always offers to help her friends with their homework.
- 2. The restaurant offers a wide range of vegetarian dishes.
- 3. They offer excellent customer service at that store.
Past Simple
- 1. Yesterday, our neighbors offered us some homemade cookies as a welcoming gesture.
- 2. She offered her seat to the elderly man standing on the bus last week.
- 3. They offered to help us move our furniture to the new apartment, but we already had everything arranged.
Past Participle
- 1. The job offer has been considered by her for days now.
- 2. The tea was offered to guests as soon as they arrived.
- 3. An apology has been offered by the company to all affected customers.
Learn more words on the go
Master verb forms with Promova!
Bare infinitive
- Habitual actions or routines. When talking about actions that happen regularly or as part of a routine.Example. He offers assistance to anyone in need every weekend.Example. This program offers great opportunities for graduates.Example. The seminar offers insights into renewable energy tomorrow afternoon.Example. First, offer your details, and then proceed to payment.
- General truths. For statements that are always true.Example. He offers assistance to anyone in need every weekend.Example. This program offers great opportunities for graduates.Example. The seminar offers insights into renewable energy tomorrow afternoon.Example. First, offer your details, and then proceed to payment.
- Scheduled events (in the near future). For scheduled events, particularly in a formal context.Example. He offers assistance to anyone in need every weekend.Example. This program offers great opportunities for graduates.Example. The seminar offers insights into renewable energy tomorrow afternoon.Example. First, offer your details, and then proceed to payment.
- Instructions or directions. When giving a command or direction.Example. He offers assistance to anyone in need every weekend.Example. This program offers great opportunities for graduates.Example. The seminar offers insights into renewable energy tomorrow afternoon.Example. First, offer your details, and then proceed to payment.
Past Simple
- Completed actions in the past. For actions that were completed at some specific time in the past.Example. He offered his help yesterday, but it was declined.Example. She offered free classes before she became too busy.Example. He offered to cook dinner, then immediately regretted it as guests proposed a night out.
- Past habits. When talking about habits or routines that were regular in the past but not anymore.Example. He offered his help yesterday, but it was declined.Example. She offered free classes before she became too busy.Example. He offered to cook dinner, then immediately regretted it as guests proposed a night out.
- Sequential actions in the past. When describing actions that happened one after another in the past.Example. He offered his help yesterday, but it was declined.Example. She offered free classes before she became too busy.Example. He offered to cook dinner, then immediately regretted it as guests proposed a night out.
Past Participle
- Perfect tenses (Present Perfect, Past Perfect, Future Perfect). Used in forming perfect tenses, indicating actions in relation to other time frames.Example. She has offered her resignation already.Example. By the time the meeting started, they had already offered a significant discount.Example. By next month, the CEO will have offered his decision on the merger.Example. Scholars were offered a grant by the foundation for their research.Example. If you had offered your help earlier, the project could have finished on time.
- Passive voice. When an action is done to the subject, rather than the subject doing the action.Example. She has offered her resignation already.Example. By the time the meeting started, they had already offered a significant discount.Example. By next month, the CEO will have offered his decision on the merger.Example. Scholars were offered a grant by the foundation for their research.Example. If you had offered your help earlier, the project could have finished on time.
- Conditional sentences. In some conditional constructions, particularly in the conditional perfect.Example. She has offered her resignation already.Example. By the time the meeting started, they had already offered a significant discount.Example. By next month, the CEO will have offered his decision on the merger.Example. Scholars were offered a grant by the foundation for their research.Example. If you had offered your help earlier, the project could have finished on time.
Common mistakes
— 01
Confusing Forms
The past simple form of 'offer' is 'offered,' and the past participle form is also 'offered.' A common mistake is assuming that the past participle form should be different or more complex than the past simple form. This leads to incorrect forms being used in perfect tenses and passive voice. For example, using 'have offered' correctly in the present perfect tense, as opposed to an incorrect form like 'have offerred' or 'have offert.'
— 02
Incorrect Spelling
Another mistake is misspelling the past forms of 'offer.' The correct spelling adds 'ed' to the base form, making it 'offered' for both the past simple and past participle. However, some learners might double the 'r' (offerred) or add other incorrect suffixes due to overgeneralizing the rules from other irregular verbs in English. Correct spelling is crucial for clear written communication.
— 03
Misuse in Sentence Structure
Using the past participle form 'offered' incorrectly in sentences, especially in passive voice or perfect aspect constructions, is a common mistake. For instance, some might incorrectly use the past simple form where the past participle is needed, leading to grammatically incorrect sentences. An example of correct usage in passive voice is 'The job was offered to him last week,' not 'The job was offer to him last week.' In perfect tenses, the correct usage would be 'She has offered to help,' not 'She has offer to help.'
Past tense quiz
Check your skills and find areas for improvement