Withstand past tense

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Meaning of withstand

to resist successfully; to stand up against.

Infinitive

Word: withstand /wɪðˈstænd/
Examples:
  • 1. This bridge can withstand strong winds and heavy traffic.
  • 2. Only the best materials withstand the test of time.
  • 3. Few plants can withstand extreme temperatures without wilting.

Past Simple

Word: withstood /wɪθˈstʊd/
Examples:
  • 1. The ancient tree withstood the powerful storm without losing a single branch.
  • 2. The small village withstood the invaders' attacks for weeks before reinforcements arrived.
  • 3. Despite the intense pressure, the old bridge withstood the weight of the heavy trucks passing over it.

Past Participle

Word: withstood /wɪθˈstʊd/
Examples:
  • 1. The ancient fortress had withstood numerous invasions before it finally fell.
  • 2. The materials used are specially designed to have withstood extreme temperatures.
  • 3. The impressive structure has withstood the test of time, remaining intact for centuries.

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Bare infinitive

  1. Habitual actions or routines. Used to describe actions or situations that happen regularly or are universally true.
    Example. 'This material withstands high temperatures easily.'
    Example. 'Only the strongest materials withstand the test of time.'
    Example. 'Apply pressure gradually to see if it withstands the force.'
    Example. 'The new policy withstands implementation starting next month.'
  2. General truths or laws of nature. Used for statements that are always true.
    Example. 'This material withstands high temperatures easily.'
    Example. 'Only the strongest materials withstand the test of time.'
    Example. 'Apply pressure gradually to see if it withstands the force.'
    Example. 'The new policy withstands implementation starting next month.'
  3. Instructions or directions. In a sequence of actions or directions.
    Example. 'This material withstands high temperatures easily.'
    Example. 'Only the strongest materials withstand the test of time.'
    Example. 'Apply pressure gradually to see if it withstands the force.'
    Example. 'The new policy withstands implementation starting next month.'
  4. Fixed arrangements in the near future (often found in a formal context, such as schedules or timetables). Used to describe events that are officially planned or scheduled.
    Example. 'This material withstands high temperatures easily.'
    Example. 'Only the strongest materials withstand the test of time.'
    Example. 'Apply pressure gradually to see if it withstands the force.'
    Example. 'The new policy withstands implementation starting next month.'

Past Simple

  1. Completed actions in the past. Describes actions or situations that were finished at a specific time in the past.
    Example. 'The bridge withstood the earthquake last year.'
    Example. 'The castle walls withstood numerous attacks through the centuries.'
    Example. 'This old tree withstood many storms before it finally fell.'
    Example. 'In those days, buildings were not built to withstand such strong winds.'
  2. A series of completed actions. When narrating events that happened one after another in the past.
    Example. 'The bridge withstood the earthquake last year.'
    Example. 'The castle walls withstood numerous attacks through the centuries.'
    Example. 'This old tree withstood many storms before it finally fell.'
    Example. 'In those days, buildings were not built to withstand such strong winds.'
  3. Habits in the past. Used to talk about repeated actions or routines that took place in the past but no longer happen.
    Example. 'The bridge withstood the earthquake last year.'
    Example. 'The castle walls withstood numerous attacks through the centuries.'
    Example. 'This old tree withstood many storms before it finally fell.'
    Example. 'In those days, buildings were not built to withstand such strong winds.'
  4. Past facts or generalizations. Used to make a statement about something that was true in the past but might not be true now.
    Example. 'The bridge withstood the earthquake last year.'
    Example. 'The castle walls withstood numerous attacks through the centuries.'
    Example. 'This old tree withstood many storms before it finally fell.'
    Example. 'In those days, buildings were not built to withstand such strong winds.'

Past Participle

  1. Perfect tenses. To form present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect tenses, showing completed actions at different times.
    Example. 'The ancient scrolls were withstood by many attempts to destroy them through the ages.'
    Example. 'The withstood pressure marks on the surface indicate high durability.'
  2. Example (Present Perfect). 'This roofing material has withstood several heavy storms already.'
    Example. 'The ancient scrolls were withstood by many attempts to destroy them through the ages.'
    Example. 'The withstood pressure marks on the surface indicate high durability.'
  3. Example (Past Perfect). 'By the time the hurricane arrived, our defenses had already withstood numerous tests.'
    Example. 'The ancient scrolls were withstood by many attempts to destroy them through the ages.'
    Example. 'The withstood pressure marks on the surface indicate high durability.'
  4. Example (Future Perfect). 'By next year, the sea wall will have withstood considerable battering from the waves.'
    Example. 'The ancient scrolls were withstood by many attempts to destroy them through the ages.'
    Example. 'The withstood pressure marks on the surface indicate high durability.'
  5. Passive voice. To describe actions done to the subject, rather than actions done by the subject.
    Example. 'The ancient scrolls were withstood by many attempts to destroy them through the ages.'
    Example. 'The withstood pressure marks on the surface indicate high durability.'
  6. Adjectives or descriptions. Sometimes used in describing the state of something as a result of past actions.
    Example. 'The ancient scrolls were withstood by many attempts to destroy them through the ages.'
    Example. 'The withstood pressure marks on the surface indicate high durability.'

Common mistakes

— 01

Regular Verb Patterns

One common mistake is assuming that all verbs follow the regular pattern of adding '-ed' to form both the past simple and past participle. This leads to errors, especially with irregular verbs like 'withstand'. The past simple of 'withstand' is 'withstood', not 'withstanded', and its past participle is also 'withstood'. Misapplying the regular verb pattern results in incorrect forms that are not recognized in standard English.

— 02

Confusing forms

Another mistake involves confusing the past simple form of a verb with its past participle form, which is particularly problematic with irregular verbs. For 'withstand', both the past simple and past participle forms are 'withstood', but in verbs where these forms differ, such as 'write' (past simple. 'wrote', past participle. 'written'), learners often mix them up. This confusion can lead to grammatical errors in perfect tenses and passive voice constructions, where the past participle is needed.

— 03

Patterns from Similar Verbs

Learners sometimes overapply patterns from similar-looking or sounding verbs. For example, seeing patterns in verbs like 'stand' (past simple. 'stood', past participle. 'stood') might lead one to incorrectly predict similar verbs will follow suit. However, assuming all similar verbs behave the same way leads to mistakes. Understanding that 'withstand' follows the pattern of 'stand' is correct, but applying the pattern of 'stand' to a verb like 'understand' (past simple and participle. 'understood') without verifying can cause errors, as not all verbs conform to the same morphological changes.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the past simple form of 'withstand'?

The past simple form of 'withstand' is 'withstood'. This form is used to describe an action that happened at a specific time in the past. For example, 'The ancient tree withstood many storms over the centuries.'

What is the past participle form of 'withstand'?

The past participle form of 'withstand' is also 'withstood'. This form is used in perfect tense constructions to describe actions that have been completed at some point in the past. For example, 'By the time the hurricane passed, the small cottage had withstood the worst of the winds.'

How do I use 'withstood' in a sentence correctly?

To use 'withstood' correctly, you must identify if you're talking about an action in the simple past or if you're forming a perfect tense. For simple past, it's straightforward. 'The bridge withstood the flood.' When forming a perfect tense, you'll need an auxiliary verb. 'The fortress has withstood numerous attacks.'

Can 'withstood' be used with both singular and plural subjects?

Yes, 'withstood' can be used with both singular and plural subjects without changing its form. This is because 'withstood' is the past simple and past participle form of the verb, and in English, these forms do not change according to the subject's number. For example, 'The soldier withstood the enemy's attack' (singular subject) and 'The soldiers withstood the enemy's attack' (plural subject) are both correct.