We have already learned Te-form of verbs. Today we are going to learn another conjugation pattern, Ta-form. It seems that the difference between Te-form and Ta-form is only for vowels “e” or “a”. Yes, it’s the only difference in terms of spelling, but there is a huge difference between the two about the function they have.
– Te-form is used not for ending, but for continuing a sentence. Another conjugating word must follow after the verb in Te-form. Usually, the word behind is another verb.
– Ta-form can be the ending of a sentence with nuance of past and/or perfect, though it sounds rough or casual. If a word follows after a verb in Ta-form, the word is a noun. In other words, a Ta-form can modify a noun, with nuance of past and/or perfect.
Although you need to put these differences in your mind, how to make Ta-form from Te-form is easy. Just replace “e” in Te-form with “a”.
The followings are examples of “Ta-form” of verbs. Note that the list is written in the order of Masu-form, Te-form, and Ta-form.
Group 2 Verbs
– Imasu — Ite — Ita
– Mimasu — Mite — Mita
– Nemasu — Nete — Neta
– Okimasu — Okite — Okita
Group 3 Verbs
– Kimasu — Kite — Kita
– Shimasu — Shite — Shita
– Benkyoushimasu — Benkyoushite — Benkyoushita
Group 1 Verbs
– Tsukaimasu — Tsukatte — Tsukatta
– Kakimasu — Kaite — Kaita
– Ikimasu — Itte —Itta
– Isogimasu — Isoide — Isoida
– Hanashimasu — Hanashite — Hanashita
– Machimasu — Matte — Matta
– Tobimasu — Tonde — Tonda
– Yomimasu — Yonde — Yonda
– Tsukurimasu — Tsukutte — Tsukutta
summary
– Ta-form has a nuance of past and/or perfect of the verb.
– Ta-form can be the ending of a sentence in concise style.
– Ta-form can modify a noun behind
This post was written with reference to the exercise A1 on Section 19 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
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