The Past Tense of Fall: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

Have you ever got stuck on the correct past tense of the word fall in the English language? This article will explain the conjugations of the word fall and also define fall and give you all the information you need about the word and how to use it within English grammar.

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What Is the Definition of the Word Fall?

The English verb fall is defined as:

Intransitive verb 

  • to drop or descend under the force of gravity, as to a lower place through loss or lack of support.
  • to come or drop down suddenly to a lower position, especially to leave a standing or erect position suddenly, whether voluntarily or not:
    • to fall on one’s knees.
  • to become less or lower; become of a lower level, degree, amount, quality, value, number, etc.; decline:
    • The temperature fell ten degrees. Stock prices fell to a new low for the year.
  • to subside or abate.
  • extend downward; hang down:
    • Her hair falls to her shoulders.
  • to become lowered or directed downward, as the eyes:
    • My eyes fell before his steady gaze.
  • to become lower in pitch or volume:
    • Her voice fell, and she looked about in confusion.
  • to succumb to temptation or sin, especially to become unchaste or to lose one’s innocence.
  • to lose status, dignity, position, character, etc.
  • to succumb to attack:
    • The city fell to the enemy.
  • to be overthrown, as a government.
  • to drop down wounded or dead, especially to be slain:
    • to fall in battle.
  • to pass into some physical, mental, or emotional condition:
    • to fall asleep; to fall in love.
  • to envelop or come as if by dropping, as stillness or night.
  • to issue forth:
    • Witty remarks fall easily from his lips.
  • to come by lot or chance:
    • The chore fell to him.
  • to come by chance into a particular position:
    • to fall among thieves.
  • to come to pass, occur, or become at a certain time:
    • Christmas falls on a Monday this year. The rent falls due the first of every month.
  • to have its proper place:
    • The accent falls on the last syllable.
  • to come by right:
    • The inheritance fell to the only living relative.
  • to be naturally divisible (usually followed by into):
    • The story fell into two distinct parts.
  • to lose animation; appear disappointed, as the face:
    • His face fell when he heard the bad news.
  • to slope or extend in a downward direction:
    • The field falls gently to the river.
  • to be directed, as light, sight, etc., on something:
    • His eyes fell upon the note on the desk.
  • to collapse, as through weakness, damage, poor construction, or the like; topple or sink:
    • The old tower fell under its own weight. The cake fell when he slammed the oven door.
  • (of an animal, especially a lamb) to be born:
    • Two lambs fell yesterday.

Transitive verb 

  • to fell (a tree, animal, etc.).

Noun

  • an act or instance of falling or dropping from a higher to a lower place or position.
  • that which falls or drops:
    • a heavy fall of rain.
  • the season of the year that comes after summer and before winter; autumn.
  • a becoming less; a lowering or decline; a sinking to a lower level:
    • the fall of the Roman Empire.
  • the distance through which anything falls:
    • It is a long fall to the ground from this height.
  • Usually falls . a cataract or waterfall.
  • downward slope or declivity:
    • the gentle rise and fall of the meadow.
  • a falling from an erect position, as to the ground:
    • to have a bad fall.

How Do You Conjugate Fall?

Here are some verb conjugations of the irregular verb fall including the past tense verb forms:

Infinitive: To fall

Past Participle: Fallen

Present Participle: Falling

Past Perfect: Had fallen

Present Continuous Tense: Is falling

Future Continuous: Will be falling

Simple Present TenseSimple Past Tense (Preterite)Future Tense
I fallfellAm falling
You fallfellAre falling
Third-Person He/she/it fallsfellIs falling
We fallfellAre falling
They fallfellAre falling

The History and Origin of the Word

The word fall has been used since before 900 A.D. From the Middle English word fallen and the Old English feallan.

Example Sentences of the Word in Context

Summary

Next time you need to write the word fall, you will be well prepared for everything you need to know what it is and how to use it efficiently. If you are trying to learn English, you should feel confident with the different conjugations, the history of the word, and the definition. 

Sources:

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