Why "was sang" strikes a false note

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper 21/10/2024, 04:35

English.me team member

What kind of error is it?

It is an error in verb conjugation, specifically the misuse of passive voice and tense.

Why do people make this mistake?

People often make this error by confusing verb forms and constructing sentences that attempt to use the passive voice incorrectly. It involves misapplying the past participle "sung" and the past tense "sang" in places where they do not fit grammatically.

What is correct?

"Sang" is the simple past tense of the verb "sing". The correct past participle verb form required for passive constructions is "sung". The passive voice should involve a form of "to be" and the past participle; thus, "was sung" is correct.

Examples of correct usage

The song was sung by the choir.
The anthem was sung beautifully.
The opera was sung in Italian.