http://www.englishrules.com/writing/2006/lit-and-lighted/ Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:26:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.englishrules.com/writing/2006/lit-and-lighted/#comment-581 Laura H. Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:32:45 +0000 http://www.englishrules.com/writing/2006/lit-and-lighted/#comment-581 Loss of irregular verb conjugation seems to be happening in US English frequently these days. It used to be that a defendant "pled" guilty or not guilty. Now I hear "pleaded" instead. The same thing seems to be happening with "dove" and "dived". I guess this is just part of natural trend towards simplicity (handling all verbs the same way), but it bothers me a lot. Loss of irregular verb conjugation seems to be happening in US English frequently these days. It used to be that a defendant “pled” guilty or not guilty. Now I hear “pleaded” instead. The same thing seems to be happening with “dove” and “dived”. I guess this is just part of natural trend towards simplicity (handling all verbs the same way), but it bothers me a lot.

]]> http://www.englishrules.com/writing/2006/lit-and-lighted/#comment-580 Mylla Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:40:36 +0000 http://www.englishrules.com/writing/2006/lit-and-lighted/#comment-580 Wow! I love your site! I am a high school student and these are exactly the kind of questions I'm dealing with! Personally, I use the word 'lit' (and I'm from the midwest). 'Lighted' is just too much of a mouthful. It could be that I'm just being lazy. ;-) Ok- Related Question: I don't think I can say 'relit' or 'relighted'. Neither of these words are in my dictionary. However, 'relight' is(!). I suppose I probably need to say 'he lit the torch again'. For some reason it sounds a little awkward to me. 8-\ Is there something I am missing? Wow! I love your site! I am a high school student and these are exactly the kind of questions I’m dealing with!
Personally, I use the word ‘lit’ (and I’m from the midwest). ‘Lighted’ is just too much of a mouthful. It could be that I’m just being lazy.
Ok- Related Question:
I don’t think I can say ‘relit’ or ‘relighted’. Neither of these words are in my dictionary. However, ‘relight’ is(!). I suppose I probably need to say ‘he lit the torch again’. For some reason it sounds a little awkward to me. 8-\ Is there something I am missing?

]]> http://www.englishrules.com/writing/2006/lit-and-lighted/#comment-579 David Keppel Sun, 30 Sep 2007 19:28:01 +0000 http://www.englishrules.com/writing/2006/lit-and-lighted/#comment-579 Re. Andrew's comment that "lighted" is older: I think "lit" is older. In general, Old English verbs were "strong": they had "ablaut" and changed the quality of the vowel in different tenses. As time went on, strong verbs were treated as weak: the vowel quality remained but -ed was added. That does not mean that "lit" is necessarily better in either British or American English. Both seem to be acceptable in both. By contrast, "dived" is now considered more "educated" usage than "dove." Re. Andrew’s comment that “lighted” is older:
I think “lit” is older. In general, Old English verbs were “strong”: they had “ablaut” and changed the quality of the vowel in different tenses. As time went on, strong verbs were treated as weak: the vowel quality remained but -ed was added. That does not mean that “lit” is necessarily better in either British or American English. Both seem to be acceptable in both. By contrast, “dived” is now considered more “educated” usage than “dove.”

]]> http://www.englishrules.com/writing/2006/lit-and-lighted/#comment-578 Alok Thu, 07 Jun 2007 02:39:28 +0000 http://www.englishrules.com/writing/2006/lit-and-lighted/#comment-578 Ravi, I would say why wish. You are face to face just thanks. So I would prefer. I appreciate your advice, and thank you once again for your precious time. Ravi,
I would say why wish. You are face to face just thanks.
So I would prefer.
I appreciate your advice, and thank you once again for your precious time.

]]> http://www.englishrules.com/writing/2006/lit-and-lighted/#comment-577 Ruth Tue, 22 May 2007 14:14:12 +0000 http://www.englishrules.com/writing/2006/lit-and-lighted/#comment-577 Ravi - I would choose number 3 in your example. The subject I is understood in the second independent clause; therefore, the correct usage would be as follows: I appreciate your advice, and (I) wish to thank you once again for your time. Number 2 would never be correct, but you could use number 1. Ravi – I would choose number 3 in your example. The subject I is understood in the second independent clause; therefore, the correct usage would be as follows:
I appreciate your advice, and (I) wish to thank you once again for your time.
Number 2 would never be correct, but you could use number 1.

]]> http://www.englishrules.com/writing/2006/lit-and-lighted/#comment-576 Karl Tue, 20 Mar 2007 08:49:07 +0000 http://www.englishrules.com/writing/2006/lit-and-lighted/#comment-576 That is a fascinating distinction, Russell! Thanks for posting the comment. That is a fascinating distinction, Russell! Thanks for posting the comment.

]]> http://www.englishrules.com/writing/2006/lit-and-lighted/#comment-575 Russell Kennedy Tue, 20 Mar 2007 08:43:56 +0000 http://www.englishrules.com/writing/2006/lit-and-lighted/#comment-575 In US Coast Guard terminology an aid to navigation is Lighted if it has a light installed on it. It is Lit if the light is turned on. In US Coast Guard terminology an aid to navigation is Lighted if it has a light installed on it. It is Lit if the light is turned on.

]]> http://www.englishrules.com/writing/2006/lit-and-lighted/#comment-574 ravi bedi Fri, 16 Mar 2007 09:45:38 +0000 http://www.englishrules.com/writing/2006/lit-and-lighted/#comment-574 Which of these is the right choice: 1. I appreciate your advice and wish to thank you, once again, for your time. 2. I appreciate your advice and wish to thank you once again, for your time. 3. I appreciate your advice, and wish to thank you once again for your time. Or, is there a better one. Which of these is the right choice:
1. I appreciate your advice and wish to thank you, once again, for your time.
2. I appreciate your advice and wish to thank you once again, for your time.
3. I appreciate your advice, and wish to thank you once again for your time.
Or, is there a better one.

]]> http://www.englishrules.com/writing/2006/lit-and-lighted/#comment-573 ravi bedi Fri, 16 Mar 2007 09:36:58 +0000 http://www.englishrules.com/writing/2006/lit-and-lighted/#comment-573 aaron, would this not be better: "He couldn't go to play because he didn't finish his homework." aaron, would this not be better:
“He couldn’t go to play because he didn’t finish his homework.”

]]> http://www.englishrules.com/writing/2006/lit-and-lighted/#comment-572 Andrew Tue, 16 Jan 2007 14:41:56 +0000 http://www.englishrules.com/writing/2006/lit-and-lighted/#comment-572 I also prefer "lit." It's more concise, and there's something a bit awkward about the sound of "lighted." Still, "lighted" is the older of the two.... I also prefer “lit.” It’s more concise, and there’s something a bit awkward about the sound of “lighted.” Still, “lighted” is the older of the two….

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