The past participle of the verb 'to ground' is grounded.
Understanding the Past Participle
The past participle is a versatile form of a verb used in English grammar for several key functions:
- Forming Perfect Tenses: It combines with auxiliary verbs (like have, has, had) to create perfect tenses (e.g., has grounded, had grounded).
- Constructing the Passive Voice: It works with forms of 'to be' (e.g., is grounded, was grounded) to indicate that the subject is receiving the action.
- Acting as an Adjective: It can directly modify a noun, describing a state or condition (e.g., a grounded aircraft).
The verb "to ground" is a regular verb, which simplifies its conjugation as both its past simple and past participle forms are created by adding "-ed" to the base form.
Conjugation of the Verb "To Ground"
Here's a detailed look at the forms of the verb "to ground," including its pronunciation:
| Form | Pronoun/Subject | Verb Form | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present Simple | I / you / we / they | ground | /ɡraʊnd/ |
| he / she / it | grounds | /ɡraʊndz/ | |
| Past Simple | All | grounded | /ˈɡraʊndɪd/ |
| Past Participle | All | grounded | /ˈɡraʊndɪd/ |
| -ing Form | All | grounding | /ˈɡraʊndɪŋ/ |
As the table illustrates, the word grounded serves as both the past simple tense and the past participle of the verb "to ground."
Practical Examples of "Grounded" in Sentences
Understanding how "grounded" functions in various contexts helps to solidify its usage:
- In Perfect Tenses:
- "The severe weather has grounded all flights for the evening." (Present Perfect Active)
- "Before the new system was installed, the old one had been grounded for maintenance." (Past Perfect Passive)
- In Passive Voice:
- "The large ship was grounded on the sandbank during the low tide."
- "My brother is grounded this weekend for not completing his chores."
- As an Adjective:
- "The engineer checked that all electrical circuits were properly grounded."
- "She appreciated his grounded perspective amidst the chaotic situation."
Multiple Meanings of "Grounded"
The word "grounded" carries several distinct meanings, reflecting the various applications of the verb "to ground":
- To be firmly on the ground or to prevent movement: This is often used for aircraft or ships.
- Example: "All aircraft were grounded by air traffic control."
- To be electrically connected to the earth: A safety measure in electrical systems.
- Example: "It's essential that the new appliance is correctly grounded."
- To restrict a child or teenager as a punishment: This is a common disciplinary action.
- Example: "He was grounded for a month after damaging the car."
- To be sensible, realistic, and well-adjusted: Describes a person's character.
- Example: "Despite her success, she remained a remarkably grounded individual."
For comprehensive details on verb conjugations and the nuances of English grammar, consult reputable linguistic resources such as the Oxford Learner's Dictionaries.
