Quote:
Originally Posted by Luke King
I am now trying to write a book set in America (under a different name) and I am coming up against problems. Do people in America always say "lighted", as in, "He lighted the fire", or can I say "He lit the fire"?
Is "dreamt" the past tense of the verb "to dream", or do I have to say, "He dreamed"?
I've just recently read an online novel where the author uses "drug" as the past tense of the verb "to drag". E.g. He drug him through the doorway. That, surely, cannot be correct.
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It depends on which "American English" the character will be speaking. East coast, West Coast, Deep South, Bayou, etc and which part of those areas?..
Sometimes the word used is a clue to the area someone grew up in or lives.
He lit the fire. He dreamed of winning the lottery. Those I have heard most often, also I have heard 'He lighted the fire' and 'dreamt' used.
I have heard both drug and dragged used.
I found this for
drag as verb: the correct conjugation is “drag/dragged/dragged”; “drug” as past tense is substandard.
I guess, the word usage you choose will depend on the character and setting.
Good luck and have fun.