The participles of certain verbs lead to doubts because of orality, as is the case of “discover”. Some say “discovered” and others “discovered”. People often correct each other for the correct use of verb conjugation and, of course, defend their position with “nails and teeth”.
The verb in question is derived from "cover" which, in turn, already had two participles: covered and covered. However, this first one fell out of favor. Likewise with "discover": discovered and discovered. Today, we say: Brazil was uncovered in the year 1500.
Most verbs have regular participles, ending in adored or gone: married, loved, dead, eaten, etc.
But what happens is that there are verbs that have irregular participles, which do not obey the above-mentioned rule;
Thus, it is a case of discovering, as well as making, opening, earning, spending, taking, paying, saying, etc. See: He had done/ It would be done; He had opened/ It would be opened; He had won/ That would be won; He had spent/ It would be spent; He had caught / That would be caught; He had paid/That would be paid; He had said/It would be said.
It is not yet known to explain with absolute certainty why some verbs lose their regular form. However, a plausible explanation is orality. It's much better to say: Brazil was discovered in 1500 than Brazil was discovered in 1500, isn't it?
What is certain is that we must stick more to the participles because we continually use them with the helpers to have or to have and to be or to be, as we saw earlier!
Observation: The use of the regular forms: "spent", "earned" and "paid" is in disuse, however, it has not been totally abolished and, for now, it is correct!
By Sabrina Vilarinho
Graduated in Letters
Brazil School Team
See more:
the verb can - Can't or can't he come? Click here and get informed!
Verbal Doubts - Grammar - Brazil School
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/gramatica/descobrido-ou-descoberto.htm
