Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing Why 'wake' is so confusing. The playful language of vacations.
May 20, 2025
Dive into the complexities of the verb 'wake' and its many forms, including the confusing distinctions between 'woke', 'woken', and 'waked'. Discover the playful side of language with fun vacation vocabulary like 'staycation' and 'glamping'. Explore how language evolves with cultural shifts in leisure, and hear listener stories about personal expressions. This episode brings together historical insights and modern linguistic creativity, proving that language is as dynamic as our experiences.
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Complexity of "Wake" Verb Forms
- The verb "wake" is complex with four competing forms: wake, waken, awake, and awaken, each with intersecting histories.
- Its irregular and regular forms coexist, causing confusion in past and participle usage.
Practical Tips for "Wake" Usage
- Avoid rigid rules distinguishing waken and awaken as their accepted usage doesn't align with these distinctions.
- Use "wake" forms with "up" when it sounds natural, but trust your ear for appropriateness.
Regional Differences in "Wake" Usage
- Usage of wake's past and participle forms varies regionally and historically across America and Britain.
- Irregular forms like woke and woken are becoming dominant in the U.S., while waken is considered old-fashioned.
