When it comes to the English language, there are many words that can be easily confused, and “showed” and “shown” are no exception. Both words are past tense forms of the verb “show,” but which one is the proper word to use in which context?
The answer is that both “showed” and “shown” are correct, but they are used in different situations. “Showed” is the past tense of “show” that is used with the pronouns “I,” “you,” “he,” “she,” and “they.” On the other hand, “shown” is the past participle of “show” that is used with the pronouns “have,” “has,” and “had.”
Simply put, “showed” is used in the simple past tense, while “shown” is used in the past participle tense. For example, “I showed him the way to the store” is correct, while “I have showed him the way to the store” is incorrect. Instead, it should be “I have shown him the way to the store.”
Now that we have established the difference between “showed” and “shown,” let’s take a deeper dive into how and when to use each word.
Define Showed
The verb “showed” is the past tense of the verb “show.” It means to display or exhibit something to someone, to make something visible or apparent, or to demonstrate something. It is a regular verb that follows the standard conjugation pattern for regular verbs in English, adding “-ed” to the base form of the verb to form the past tense.
Define Shown
The verb “shown” is also the past tense of the verb “show.” It is the past participle form of the verb, which is used with auxiliary verbs (such as “have” or “had”) to form the perfect tenses (e.g., “have shown,” “had shown”). It can also be used as an adjective to describe something that has been exhibited or displayed, as in “a shown interest in the project.” Like “showed,” it is a regular verb that adds “-ed” to the base form to form the past tense, but it is important to note that “shown” is used more frequently in certain contexts, such as in formal or academic writing.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
When it comes to the English language, it’s easy to get confused between similar words. One such pair of words that often causes confusion is “showed” and “shown”. In this section, we’ll explore how to use each of these words in a sentence properly.
How To Use “Showed” In A Sentence
“Showed” is the past tense of the verb “show”. It’s used to describe an action that occurred in the past. Here are some examples of how to use “showed” in a sentence:
- She showed me her new dress.
- He showed up late to the party.
- The teacher showed the students how to solve the problem.
As you can see, “showed” is used to describe an action that has already happened. It’s important to remember that “showed” is always used with a helping verb like “have” or “had”. For example:
- I have showed you how to do it.
- She had showed me the way.
How To Use “Shown” In A Sentence
“Shown” is the past participle of the verb “show”. It’s used to describe an action that was completed in the past. Here are some examples of how to use “shown” in a sentence:
- She has shown a lot of improvement in her work.
- The map has shown us the way.
- He had shown his support for the cause.
As you can see, “shown” is used to describe an action that has been completed in the past. It’s important to remember that “shown” is always used with a helping verb like “have” or “had”. For example:
- I have shown you the correct way to do it.
- She had shown me the right path.
By understanding the difference between “showed” and “shown”, you can use these words correctly in your writing and avoid common mistakes.
More Examples Of Showed & Shown Used In Sentences
In this section, we will provide more examples of how to use “showed” and “shown” in sentences to help you understand the difference between the two words.
Examples Of Using “Showed” In A Sentence
- She showed me her new dress and it looked stunning on her.
- The teacher showed the students how to solve the math problem.
- He showed up late to the meeting, which annoyed his colleagues.
- The movie showed at the theater for only one week.
- I showed my ID to the security guard before entering the building.
- The doctor showed me the X-ray of my broken arm.
- She showed her appreciation by sending a thank-you note.
- He showed his anger by slamming the door.
- The chef showed us how to make the perfect omelette.
- The artist showed his latest paintings at the gallery opening.
Examples Of Using “Shown” In A Sentence
- The graph shown on the screen illustrates the company’s profits over the past year.
- The evidence shown in court proved the defendant’s innocence.
- The map shown in the brochure helped us navigate the city.
- The product shown in the commercial is now available in stores.
- The report shown to the board of directors highlighted the company’s achievements.
- The photo album shown at the family reunion brought back many memories.
- The results shown in the study indicate a need for further research.
- The video shown during the presentation demonstrated the product’s features.
- The chart shown in the article compares the prices of different brands.
- The exhibit shown at the museum showcased the artist’s work from different periods.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using “showed” and “shown” interchangeably, there are several common mistakes that people make. These mistakes can lead to confusion and incorrect usage, so it’s important to understand the differences between the two words and how to use them correctly.
Using “Showed” Instead Of “Shown” In The Past Participle
One common mistake is using “showed” instead of “shown” in the past participle. The past participle of “show” is “shown,” not “showed.” For example, “I have shown you my new car” is correct, while “I have showed you my new car” is incorrect.
Using “Shown” As The Past Tense Of “Show”
Another mistake is using “shown” as the past tense of “show.” The past tense of “show” is actually “showed,” not “shown.” For example, “Yesterday, I showed my new car to my friends” is correct, while “Yesterday, I shown my new car to my friends” is incorrect.
Using “Showed” Instead Of “Shown” After “Have”
It’s also important to use “shown” instead of “showed” after “have.” For example, “I have shown you my new car” is correct, while “I have showed you my new car” is incorrect.
Tips To Avoid Making These Mistakes
- Remember that the past participle of “show” is “shown,” not “showed.”
- Use “showed” as the past tense of “show.”
- Use “shown” instead of “showed” after “have.”
- Double-check your usage of these words to ensure that you are using them correctly.
Context Matters
When it comes to choosing between “showed” and “shown,” context is key. The decision to use one over the other can depend on the specific context in which they are being used. Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “showed” and “shown” might change:
Context: Present Tense
When using the present tense, “show” is the correct form. For example:
- “I show my paintings at the local art gallery.”
- “She shows her support by attending every game.”
Context: Past Tense
When using the past tense, the choice between “showed” and “shown” can depend on whether the verb is being used transitively or intransitively. Intransitive verbs do not take a direct object, while transitive verbs do.
Intransitive Verbs
When using an intransitive verb, “showed” is the correct form. For example:
- “The sun showed brightly in the sky.”
- “The flowers showed their colors in the spring.”
Transitive Verbs
When using a transitive verb, the choice between “showed” and “shown” depends on whether the action is completed or ongoing. If the action is completed, “shown” is the correct form. If the action is ongoing, “showed” is the correct form. For example:
- “I have shown her the way to the store.” (completed action)
- “I showed her how to use the computer.” (ongoing action)
Context: Passive Voice
When using the passive voice, “shown” is the correct form. For example:
- “The results have been shown to be accurate.”
- “The evidence shown in court proved his innocence.”
By understanding the context in which “showed” and “shown” are being used, you can make the correct choice and ensure that your writing is clear and effective.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using showed and shown are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to be aware of. In certain cases, the traditional guidelines may not apply, and it is important to understand these exceptions to use the words correctly.
When To Use “Showed” Instead Of “Shown”
One exception to the rules for using showed and shown is in the formation of the past tense. While “shown” is typically used as the past participle, “showed” is often used as the past tense. This is particularly true in spoken English, where “showed” is more commonly heard than “shown”.
For example:
- “I showed her the way to the store.”
- “He showed me how to fix the computer.”
It is also important to note that “showed” is often used in informal writing, such as emails or text messages, even when “shown” would be more appropriate according to the traditional rules.
When To Use “Shown” Instead Of “Showed”
Another exception to the rules for using showed and shown is in the passive voice. When the verb “show” is used in the passive voice, “shown” is the correct past participle to use.
For example:
- “The painting was shown at the art exhibit.”
- “The evidence had been shown to the jury.”
In addition, “shown” is often used in formal writing, such as academic papers or professional reports, where precision and adherence to traditional rules are important.
Overall, while the rules for using showed and shown are generally straightforward, it is important to be aware of these exceptions to use the words correctly in all contexts.
Practice Exercises
Understanding the difference between “showed” and “shown” can be challenging, but with practice, it can become second nature. Here are some exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these two words:
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
Choose the correct word (“showed” or “shown”) to fill in the blank in the following sentences:
- The magician _______ us a trick with a deck of cards.
- She has _______ great improvement in her grades this semester.
- He _______ me how to fix the bike tire.
- The artist has _______ her work in galleries all over the world.
- They have _______ us the importance of teamwork.
Answer key:
- showed
- shown
- showed
- shown
- shown
Exercise 2: Rewrite The Sentence
Rewrite the following sentences, replacing “showed” or “shown” with the correct form of the other word:
- The chef has showed us how to make pasta from scratch.
- She has shown us a new way to approach the problem.
- The coach showed us a video of our last game.
- He has shown me how to play the guitar.
- The teacher showed us the correct way to solve the equation.
Answer key:
- The chef has shown us how to make pasta from scratch.
- She has showed us a new way to approach the problem.
- The coach shown us a video of our last game.
- He has showed me how to play the guitar.
- The teacher shown us the correct way to solve the equation.
By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of “showed” and “shown” in sentences. Keep in mind that “showed” is the past tense of “show,” while “shown” is the past participle. Use “showed” when referring to a specific event in the past, and “shown” when referring to something that has been revealed or demonstrated.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the usage of “showed” versus “shown” is a common grammatical dilemma that many writers face. While both words are past tense forms of “show,” they are used in different contexts.
Key Takeaways
- The word “showed” is used when referring to a simple past tense action.
- The word “shown” is used when referring to a past participle.
- It is important to understand the context in which each word is used to avoid grammatical errors.
- Proofreading and editing are crucial in ensuring proper grammar and language use.
As writers, it is essential to continually learn about grammar and language use to improve our writing skills. By doing so, we can effectively communicate our ideas and thoughts to our readers.
Therefore, I encourage all writers to continue expanding their knowledge of grammar and language use to enhance their writing abilities.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.