What's the Difference Between 'Ate' and 'Eaten'?
In this blog post we look at when to use ate and when to use eaten.
'Ate' or 'Eaten'?
"Eaten" and "ate" are two forms of the verb "eat." The form of the verb that is used depends on the tense in which it is being used.
"Eaten" is the past participle form of the verb "eat." It is used to form the past perfect tense and the passive voice.
"Ate" is the simple past tense form of the verb "eat." It is used to describe an action that was completed in the past.
In summary, "eaten" is the past participle form of the verb "eat," and is used to form the past perfect tense and the passive voice. "Ate" is the simple past tense form of the verb "eat," and is used to describe an action that was completed in the past.
Here are some example sentences to explain the difference between "ate" and "eaten":
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He had eaten breakfast before he left for work. (The past perfect tense is used to describe an action that was completed before a specific time in the past.)
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The pie had been eaten before I arrived. (The passive voice is used to describe an action in which the subject receives the action rather than performing it.)
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He ate breakfast before he left for work. (The simple past tense is used to describe an action that was completed in the past.)
Examples of Ate in a Sentence
Here are ten example sentences using the word "ate":
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He ate breakfast before he left for work.
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She ate a sandwich for lunch.
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They ate dinner at a fancy restaurant.
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I ate a piece of cake for dessert.
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He ate a lot of food at the buffet.
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She ate a salad for a healthy snack.
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They ate a large meal at Thanksgiving.
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I ate a slice of pizza for a quick dinner.
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He ate a bowl of soup to warm up on a cold day.
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She ate a piece of fruit for a morning snack.
Examples of Eaten in a Sentence
Here are ten example sentences using the word "eaten":
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If the pie had been eaten, I would have been disappointed. (past perfect tense, conditional mood)
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I wish the cookies had not been eaten before I got home. (past perfect tense, subjunctive mood)
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The food at the party must have been eaten by the time I arrived. (past perfect tense, imperative mood)
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Had the leftovers been eaten by my roommate before I could get to them? (past perfect tense, interrogative mood)
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The cake should have been eaten after I finished my dinner. (past perfect tense, imperative mood)
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I will have eaten all of the fruit by the time you get home. (future perfect tense, declarative mood)
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The sandwich must be eaten before it goes bad. (present tense, imperative mood)
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The chocolate bar might have been eaten by my sister before I could have a piece. (past tense, conditional mood)
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If the ice cream had not been eaten, I would have had some for dessert. (past tense, conditional mood)
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The chips may have been eaten, but there are still plenty of other snacks to choose from. (past tense, declarative mood)
