Double participle verb forms (English)

Question

Please list some double participle verb forms and tell which is more usual. Thanks.

to dream > dreamed or dreamt

Answer 1

In American English, dreamed is more common. I believe dreamt is more common in British English and English-speaking countries influenced by British English. I think it's this way with a lot of double participle verb forms (I never knew they were called that!) where both endings are heard, with -ed in American English and -t in British English.

Update: Ah, here we are. I've found an explanation:

Generally, the rule is that if there is a verb form with -ed, American English will use it, and if there is a form with -t, British English uses it. However, these forms do not exist for every verb and there is variation. For example, both American and British English would use the word 'worked' for the past form of 'to work', and in American English it is common to hear the word 'knelt' as the past tense of 'to kneel'.

Damn! When I studied some English I was never told it was British what I was learrning! - AntMexico, Jun 9, 2010

But Americans will know exactly what you mean and may not even notice in conversation. And this way you get to sound like Monty Python. British English is much funnier than American English! :) - MacFadden, Jun 9, 2010