How Do You Spell OVERTAKEN?

Pronunciation: [ˌə͡ʊvətˈe͡ɪkən] (IPA)

Overtaken is spelled as /ˌoʊ.vərˈteɪ.kən/. This word follows the common English spelling convention of using "e" after "v" to indicate a long "a" sound. The "o" at the beginning of the word is pronounced like "oh", while the "k" at the end is sounded like a hard "k". The double "t" is also used to indicate a short pause in pronunciation between the two syllables. Overall, the spelling of overtaken reflects English's complex phonetic system.

OVERTAKEN Meaning and Definition

  1. The term "overtaken" is commonly used as the past participle of the verb "overtake." "Overtake" refers to the action of catching up or passing someone or something that is moving in the same direction, thereby moving ahead of them. However, as a past participle, "overtaken" can also denote having been surpassed, exceeded, or overwhelmed by something or someone. It implies a situation where one has been outpaced or outdone by another.

    In the context of physical movement, "overtaken" suggests one's ability to surpass or move ahead of another individual or object in terms of speed or position. For instance, in a race, if one competitor overtakes another, it means they have successfully passed the other individual and are now ahead. Additionally, "overtaken" can describe a situation where an individual has been caught up by someone or something while in transit.

    Figuratively, "overtaken" captures the notion of being surpassed or overwhelmed by events, emotions, or circumstances. It conveys a sense of being unable to keep up or cope with a particular situation, resulting in a feeling of being outdone or outmatched. For example, if a person is overtaken by fear, it signifies that fear has overwhelmed them, making it difficult for them to function normally. Similarly, if a company is overtaken by its competitors, it indicates that the competitors have surpassed the company in terms of success, market share, or innovation. Therefore, "overtaken" reflects both the literal act of surpassing and the figurative state of being overwhelmed or surpassed.

  2. Come up with; caught.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for OVERTAKEN

Etymology of OVERTAKEN

The word "overtaken" has its etymology rooted in the Old English language. It is derived from two Old English words: "ofer" (which means over) and "tacan" (which means to take). These words were combined to form the Old English word "overtæcan", meaning to surpass or to catch up with. Over time, "overtæcan" evolved into "overtake", which later became "overtaken" in its past participle form.

Similar spelling words for OVERTAKEN

Conjugate verb Overtaken

CONDITIONAL

I would overtaken
you would overtaken
he/she/it would overtaken
we would overtaken
they would overtaken
I would overtake
we would overtake
you would overtake
he/she/it would overtake
they would overtake

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be overtaking
you would be overtaking
he/she/it would be overtaking
we would be overtaking
they would be overtaking

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have overtaken
you would have overtaken
he/she/it would have overtaken
we would have overtaken
they would have overtaken

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been overtaking
you would have been overtaking
he/she/it would have been overtaking
we would have been overtaking
they would have been overtaking

FUTURE

I will overtake
you will overtake
he/she/it will overtake
we will overtake
they will overtake

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be overtaking
you will be overtaking
he/she/it will be overtaking
we will be overtaking
they will be overtaking

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have overtaken
you will have overtaken
he/she/it will have overtaken
we will have overtaken
they will have overtaken

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been overtaking
you will have been overtaking
he/she/it will have been overtaking
we will have been overtaking
they will have been overtaking

IMPERATIVE

you overtake
we let´s overtake

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to overtake

PAST

I overtook
you overtook
he/she/it overtook
we overtook
they overtook

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was overtaking
you were overtaking
he/she/it was overtaking
we were overtaking
they were overtaking

PAST PARTICIPLE

overtaken

PAST PERFECT

I had overtaken
you had overtaken
he/she/it had overtaken
we had overtaken
they had overtaken

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been overtaking
you had been overtaking
he/she/it had been overtaking
we had been overtaking
they had been overtaking

PRESENT

I overtake
you overtake
he/she/it overtakes
we overtake
they overtake

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am overtaking
you are overtaking
he/she/it is overtaking
we are overtaking
they are overtaking

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

overtaking

PRESENT PERFECT

I have overtaken
you have overtaken
he/she/it has overtaken
we have overtaken
they have overtaken

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been overtaking
you have been overtaking
he/she/it has been overtaking
we have been overtaking
they have been overtaking

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