Tell me more ×
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 0 down vote favorite

If "restart" is to "restarted", "shutdown" is to what?

I don't think shutdowned is the word. What is the past-tense of the word shutdown?

share|improve this question
Are you trying to say that in the past the computer was shut down? Or are you trying to say it is now shut down? "Restart" refers to an operation that completes while "shutdown" refers to entering a state that persists. It's not clear, at least to me, how they are analogous to make your question work. If you just mean it was shut down in the past, then "was shut down", just like "was restarted". – David Schwartz May 29 '12 at 9:26

1 Answer

up vote 6 down vote accepted

"Shutdown" as a verb is probably best rendered as shut down, in which case the past tense would be shut down. See here.

share|improve this answer
1  
From a non native point of view, strictly grammatical shut-shut-shut irregular verb (usingenglish.com/reference/irregular-verbs/shut.html). Restart your computer. The restarted computer is brand new. Shutdown your computer. The shutdown computer is brand new. – speedyGonzales May 29 '12 at 7:16
1  
As a past particle used as an adjective, I might move towards shut-down as in "a shut-down factory". – Henry May 29 '12 at 7:45
   
google.com/… – Kris Jan 12 at 13:22

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.