The past simple and past participle of the word ‘kneel’ is “kneeled” and “knelt.” The verb “kneel” refers to the action of putting one or both knees on the ground. This action is often used as a gesture of respect or worship (similar to “genuflecting”). Both words are identical in meaning but differ in spelling. The selection of correct spellings depends on the region where you are living. There are some spelling differences between UK and US English for the past tense:
- In UK English: “knelt” is standard (though “kneeled” is still acceptable).
- In US English, Both “knelt” and “kneeled” are commonly used (“knelt” is more popular).
Kneel as a Regular or Irregular Verb
Kneel as an irregular or regular verb depends on how the past tense verb is spelled:
- Regular verbs are those that take an extra “-ed” to make them into the past tense. Walk → Walked, kneel →kneeled
- Irregular verbs are those that form the past tense in various ways, often without a consistent pattern. E.g: Go → Went, Kneel →knelt
In general, when given the option, the irregular form is more common in British English. Similarly, the irregular form knelt is more common in both varieties of the language. Some other examples of this difference in language convention are learnt or learned, spelled or spelt, burned or burnt, and dreamed or dreamt.
For Example:
| Knelt (UK English) | Knelt/Knelt (US English ) |
| She knelt beside the flower bed to pull out the weeds. | She knelt/kneeled beside the flower bed to pull out the weeds. |
| He knelt in front of the queen to receive his knighthood. | He knelt in front of the statue to pray. |
| He knelt in front of the statue to pray. | The dog knelt/knelt when its owner asked it to sit. |
Kneeled Or Knelt – Which Is Correct?
Languages expand with time. The word “knelt” is gradually replacing “kneeled” in English. Not only is this verb following this trend, but a few others are also losing their irregular past tense forms or preferably obtaining an -ed form. Knelt would still be in the cocoon if it were a caterpillar turning into a butterfly.
Both types of these words still exist and are acceptable. The most common verb in both American and British English is still knelt. Although Americans use kneeled more frequently than British English speakers do, it is becoming more common in that dialect of the language. Though both forms are correct, one or the other may look more natural to you based on what you learned in school or the region where you belong.
| Knelt | Kneeled | |
| Spelling | UK and Australia | America |
| Pronunciation | “nelt” | “neeld” |
| Meaning | ‘In a position in which a knee supports the body.’ | ‘In a position in which a knee supports the body.’ |
| Usage | Commonly used in British and Australian English | Widely used in American English |
| Synonyms |
How can “Kneeled or Knelt” be used in Different Parts of Speech?
The word “kneel” can also be expressed in past form as “kneeled” or “knelt,” which is an alternative form of the same verb. The usage and selection of words depend on geographical preferences. However, there are some examples for their usage in different parts of speech:
| Kneeled/knelt →Verb (Past Tense) | |
| Kneeled/knelt →Adjective (Past Participle) | |
| Kneeling →Noun (Gerund or Present Participle) |
A Matter Of Preference (Consistency is Necessary)
Here is the key takeaway: both “kneeled” and “knelt” are correct. The choice often boils down to your audience and personal preference.
- Formal Writing: If you are aiming for a more formal tone, particularly in British and Australian English contexts, “knelt” might be the safer bet.
- Informal Writing: In casual writing or American English, “kneeled” is perfectly acceptable.
The Trick to Remember the Difference
Both words “kneeled” and “knelt” have the same meaning. It is necessary to choose the correct spelling of words for your audience. The word “knelt” is the standard form of kneel and is always acceptable in both regions. Here are some tricks to remember the difference between them
- The word ‘knelt’ which is spelled with the letter T is like similar words used in the past tense and participle. It will help you remember that knelt can be used as those parts of speech.
- If you’re in the U.S., always choose “kneeled,” and in Britain, go for “knelt.” It’s just a regional preference in the past tense of “kneel.”
- Both spellings ‘knelt’ and ‘kneeled’ are correct. However, ‘Knelt’ is used more often both in American and British English.
Other Variations of Knelt and Kneeled
Kneeled Down or Knelt Down
The phrasal verb kneeled down/knelt down is formed by adding the word “down” after the phrase kneeled and knelt. The expression “kneeled down/knelt down” is synonymous with “kneeled/knelt.” The same distinction applies to these forms:
- In UK English, “knelt down” is more common and preferable (though “kneeled down” is still acceptable).
- In US English, both “knelt down” and “kneeled down” are commonly used (though “knelt down” appears more often).
For Example
- Knelt down to scrub the floor.
- Kneeled down to scrub the floor.
- The theater was so crowded that some people couldn’t enter while others knelt down in front of the stage.
- The theater was so crowded that some people couldn’t enter while others kneeled down in front of the stage.
To Kneel/ To Knelt
It is the infinitive form of verb ‘kneel’
For Example:
- Albert asked her to kneel.
- Albert asked her to knelt.
Kneeler
Kneeler with ‘er’ in spelling is a noun that refers to a person who kneels or a device used for kneeling.
Example: “The kneeler in the church is comfortable.”
Kneeling Pad:
A noun referring to a cushion used while kneeling.
For example: “She used a kneeling pad while gardening.”
Frequently Asked Questions
The past tense of the verb ‘kneel’ is ‘kneeled’ and ‘knelt’. Both are acceptable, but ‘kneeled’ is preferred in American English, while ‘knelt’ is preferred in British English. For example, One can clearly see this in phrases like “She kneeled before the altar” or “He knelt in front of the king.”
The verb “kneel” refers to bending the legs at the knees and resting the body weight on them, often in religious respect or in prayer. “Knelt is the simple past tense of “kneel. ” For example, the phrase “She knelt in front of the altar” means she flexed her knees and then rested on them while facing the altar.
He stopped to take a break at the river’s edge, bent down, and put his hands into the water. Thus, with folded hands and closed eyes, he prayed to himself in the stillness of the woods. The tragedy of the father is that kneeling in the heartfelt appreciation of the grandeur of nature brought him comfort.
Kneeled should be used when a person wants to bend down to one knee or sit on one knee in situations such as praying or surrendering. It can be done religiously, for instance, when praying or when someone wants to propose marriage
Knelt is also used in the same context as kneeled. But, ‘knelt’ is the more popular and commonly used spelling of the word.
