Pedants' corner
She text me
Dionysiana · 02/03/2023 19:29
I see this so often on MN; “text” used as the past tense instead of “texted”. Is this becoming accepted usage in the UK? I live abroad so am out of touch with new developments. But the birth of a new irregular verb seems odd.
ScentOfAMemory · 03/03/2023 20:39
"to text" as a verb is a linguistic neologism and new verbs always have regular endings.
So "texted" is correct, and "text" as the past simple, isn't.
The reason why so many people make the mistake is that it's a one syllable verb with a "t" at the end. Our brains are hardwired to go "put put put" "beat" "beat" "beaten" etc and so the same (erroneously) with "text".
It's quite interesting!
ScentOfAMemory · 03/03/2023 21:10
maddy68 · 03/03/2023 20:51
I think text is now also used as a past tense
It is, but it's not correct.
www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/text_2
@Mamette "walked" does have a final /t/ sound because /k/ is voiceless. The final "t" in "text" is also voiceless but when the final sound in a regular verb is /t/ or /d/ then the "ed" ending is pronounced /id/
Mamette · 04/03/2023 14:20
walked" does have a final /t/ sound because /k/ is voiceless. The final "t" in "text" is also voiceless but when the final sound in a regular verb is /t/ or /d/ then the "ed" ending is pronounced /id/
The k in walked isn’t voiceless in my accent. Neither is the final t in text. And I would say the vowel sound in “ed” is a schwa not /i/
ScentOfAMemory · 04/03/2023 14:27
Mamette · 04/03/2023 14:20
walked" does have a final /t/ sound because /k/ is voiceless. The final "t" in "text" is also voiceless but when the final sound in a regular verb is /t/ or /d/ then the "ed" ending is pronounced /id/
The k in walked isn’t voiceless in my accent. Neither is the final t in text. And I would say the vowel sound in “ed” is a schwa not /i/
It is. /k/ is voiceless in any accent, otherwise it's /g/
Likewise /t/, otherwise it's /d/
The vowel sound in "ed" after /t/ or /d/ can be either a schwa or /I/, the latter being more common.
ScentOfAMemory · 04/03/2023 14:48
Whyisitsososohard · 04/03/2023 14:27
Why does it seem odd? Language develops all the time. Just say if you don't like it. But not sure why the development seems odd.
I think people (including descriptive linguists) find this particular development odd because it's not what usually happens with language shift.
If you look at learnt/learned, dreamt/dreamed, then the irregular version came first and over a long time shifted into the regular form being accepted.
All new verbs are regular- take -ED in the past simple. The language shift is almost always FROM irregular TO regular.
The correct, standard past tense form of "text" is "texted". It just is.
There is not yet any language shift changing that. That's not how language works.
CosyCoffee · 04/03/2023 14:49
I say this even though I know it's wrong, just because it rolls off the tongue better than texted. I would write texted though.
I think it comes from people pronouncing 'text' as 'tex' (again due to it being easier to say, laziness I suppose). The past tense of which would be 'texed' and sound like the 'text' in the OP. See also the dreadful plural 'texes' that I hear around.
Mamette · 04/03/2023 15:19
It is. /k/ is voiceless in any accent, otherwise it's /g/
Likewise /t/, otherwise it's /d/
Ah ok, sorry, I misunderstood what you were saying.
My original point is that I don’t really pronounce the “ed” in “texted” because for me it would be putting two “t” sounds together.
ScentOfAMemory · 04/03/2023 15:25
Mamette · 04/03/2023 15:19
It is. /k/ is voiceless in any accent, otherwise it's /g/
Likewise /t/, otherwise it's /d/
Ah ok, sorry, I misunderstood what you were saying.
My original point is that I don’t really pronounce the “ed” in “texted” because for me it would be putting two “t” sounds together.
Definitely agree that the "text" as past has come about because of the pronunciation of the ending (pronunciation) of the verb! I'd guess because of the/t/ and close behind /d/ it does all run into one thing.
MrsTerryPratchett · 04/03/2023 15:44
"to text" as a verb is a linguistic neologism and new verbs always have regular endings.
I assume this is true until time takes its toll and words change through usage. Hasn't this just happened very quickly because the word is in use so much? 'Text' seems to be becoming the norm. I still say 'texted'.
Lucyh999 · 04/03/2023 16:29
CosyCoffee · 04/03/2023 14:49
I say this even though I know it's wrong, just because it rolls off the tongue better than texted. I would write texted though.
I think it comes from people pronouncing 'text' as 'tex' (again due to it being easier to say, laziness I suppose). The past tense of which would be 'texed' and sound like the 'text' in the OP. See also the dreadful plural 'texes' that I hear around.
This is an interesting point and I’m sure exactly why it happens, because it’s easier to say! It always puzzles me though…
OhNoNotThatAgain · 04/03/2023 16:42
Whyisitsososohard · 04/03/2023 14:27
Why does it seem odd? Language develops all the time. Just say if you don't like it. But not sure why the development seems odd.
It seems odd because it is odd, and doesn't follow the normal rules. Yes, I agree that language develops, but some of those developments are just plain wrong, and need stamping out before they take over.
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