If you have ever been curious about the correct past tense of bite was, this article will clear that up plus give you a look into the history of the word, the definition, and everything else you could want to learn about the word.
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to seize especially with teeth or jaws so as to enter, grip, or wound
was bitten by a dog
to wound, pierce, or sting especially with a fang or a proboscis
getting bitten by mosquitoes
a snake bit his leg
to cut or pierce with or as if with an edged weapon
bit by his sword
to cause sharp pain or stinging discomfort to
the sleet biting our faces
to take hold of
help the pliers bite the part
archaic: to take in: cheat
Intransitive verb
to bite or have the habit of biting something
This cat bites.
of a weapon or tool: to cut, pierce, or take hold
bites down on the part
The anchor bites into the ocean floor.
to cause irritation or smarting
Her criticisms really bite.
corrode
of fish : to take a bait
The fish aren’t biting today.
to respond so as to be caught (as by a trick)
to accept a suggestion or an offer
offered them a deal but they wouldn’t bite
to take or maintain a firm hold
The anchor didn’t bite well.
to produce a negative effect
the recession began to bite
chiefly US slang, sometimes vulgar : to be objectionable or extremely bad in quality: stink, stunk
This song bites.
English language slang: to imitate or copy (someone or something) especially without permission
to withhold a statement
He has a bitten tongue.
How do You Conjugate Bite?
Here are some of the conjugations of the word bite:
Simple Present/ Present Tense/ Present Participle
Simple Past Tense/ Past Participle of bite
Future Perfect Tense
I bite
Bit
Am bitting
You bite
Bit
Are bitting
He, she, it bites
Bit
Is bitting
We bite
Bit
Are bitting
They bite
Bit
Are bitting
The History and Origin of the Word
The word bite has been used as a verb since before the 12th century. It was used as a transitive verb by the definition “to seize especially with teeth or jaws so as to enter, grip, or wound”
The word bite can be traced back first to Middle English grammar – biten, then back to Old English verb conjugation- bitan, and eventually all the way back to Latin findere which meant to split, cleave, divide.
What are the Three Forms of Bite?
These are the three verb forms of bite:
Base form of the word bite- Bite
Past tense of the verb bite – Bit
Past Perfect Participle of the word bite- Bitten
Synonyms for Bite
Acerbic – sharply or bitingly critical, sarcastic, or ironic in temper, mood or tone
Nibble – a small piece or quantity of food
Taste – the property of a substance that can be identified by the sense of taste, to come to a knowledge of something by living through it
Acidity – the quality, state, or degree of being acid, or excessively acid
Some 200 years ago this month Connecticut’s highest court ruled in Hall v. Hall (1820) that a dog-bite victim was not entitled to receive $175 from the dog’s owner that had been awarded by referees. … — Randy Maniloff, WSJ, “Every Dog Has His Day in Court,” 23 June 2020
Next time you need to write the word bite, you will be well prepared for everything you need to know what it is and how to use it efficiently. You should feel confident with the different conjugations, the history of the word, and the definition.
Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.
Kevin
November 22, 2020
What is The Past Tense of...
