See also: Shown

English edit

Etymology edit

From Middle English schauen, schewen (past participle), alternative form of schawid, schewed, past participle of Middle English schewen (to show). Morphologically equivalent to show +‎ -n.

Pronunciation edit

Verb edit

shown

  1. past participle of show
    I had shown him the report already.
    The report had already been shown to him.

Usage notes edit

  • Garner's Modern American Usage favors shown over showed as past participle and claims it is mandatory for passives. In other forms of English shown is the only correct past participle.