On the Past Tense of ‘Put’ and ‘Input’
Put,’ as a verb that means “to move or to place,” remains the same even when it is in past tense.
For example, “Did you see my cellphone? I put it on the computer table yesterday.” [not ‘putted’]
However, the newer word ‘input,’ which may be used also as a verb–to mean “enter as data into a computer software or into a document” or “to contribute an idea or a suggestion to a discussion”–may take either ‘input’ or ‘inputted’ as its past tense.
As examples,
1) I already inputted your name as a reference person into my job-application form.
2) Who input the additional data this morning?
3) She inputted great insights to our discussion about atheism.
The Last Leaf
Forming the past tense of verbs could be really tricky. Regular verbs require the suffix ‘-d’ or ‘-ed’ in forming their past tense, whereas certain irregular verbs retain their form whether they are in present or past tense (bet, cast, cost, cut, hit, hurt, let); some change their spelling altogether (freeze –> froze; leave –> left). When in doubt, google! (But make sure you use reliable online references.)
