The past tense of 'tremble' is trembled.
Understanding 'Tremble'
The word 'tremble' is a verb that describes an involuntary shaking or quivering motion. This motion can be caused by various factors, including:
- Emotional states: Fear, anxiety, excitement, anger.
- Physical conditions: Cold, weakness, illness, old age.
- External forces: An earthquake, a heavy vehicle passing by.
It signifies a lack of steadiness or control in movement.
The Past Tense: 'Trembled'
When an action of trembling has already occurred, we use its past tense form: trembled. This form indicates that the shaking motion took place at a point in time before the present moment. 'Tremble' is a regular verb, which means its past tense and past participle forms are created simply by adding '-ed' to the base form.
For example, if someone shook with fear yesterday, you would say they trembled with fear. The past tense form of 'tremble' is straightforward, following the regular verb conjugation pattern. You can see this form in various linguistic resources that define the word's conjugation, such as its past tense definition here.
Conjugation of 'Tremble'
Understanding the different forms of the verb 'tremble' can clarify its usage across various tenses:
| Tense | Form | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Base Form | tremble | He often trembles when he is very cold. |
| Past Simple | trembled | She trembled with anticipation before the announcement. |
| Past Participle | trembled | Having trembled all night, she was exhausted by morning. |
| Present Participle | trembling | The leaves were trembling in the gentle breeze. |
Examples of 'Trembled' in Context
Here are some practical examples demonstrating the use of 'trembled' in sentences:
- Her voice trembled slightly as she recounted the ordeal.
- The old man's hands trembled as he tried to lift the cup.
- The entire building trembled during the minor earthquake.
- He trembled with rage after hearing the shocking news.
- The dog trembled under the table during the thunderstorm.
Practical Insights
Using 'trembled' effectively helps to convey a precise meaning of an action that has already concluded.
- Regular Verb: As a regular verb, 'tremble' is easy to conjugate. Its past tense form, 'trembled,' is consistent and predictable, unlike irregular verbs that have unique past tense forms (e.g., 'go' to 'went').
- Conveying Intensity: 'Trembled' can vividly describe intense emotional or physical reactions, adding a layer of detail to narratives. It implies an involuntary and often uncontrollable shaking.
- Versatile Use: 'Trembled' can be used to describe human emotions, animal reactions, or even inanimate objects affected by external forces.
