What's the difference between I felt content and I felt contented? Or between I was content and I was contented.
Thank you!
***** NOT A TEACHER *****
Hello, Yura Reiri:
(1) I have been trying for years to find a good explanation, and I have
never found one.
(2) I shall be happy to share the little (very little) that I have
learned.
(a) Most books and teachers say the two words are interchangeable.
(b) So it doesn't matter which one you use -- you are as correct
as anyone else!!! Even native speakers do not agree!!!
(c) There is only one time when you MUST use "contented": when it
comes before a noun:
"Mona is a very content
ed person."
"The milk from our farm comes from content
ed cows."
(d) Some (repeat: some) people feel that "content" is better for
a permanent state/condition:
A big newspaper has offered a good job to Tom, but he doesn't want it.
He says, "I don't want to move to the big city. I feel/am perfectly
content to stay in this small town until the day I die."
(e) Some (repeat: some) people feel that "contented" involves
some kind of action/doing:
I want our daughter to go to college. She doesn't want to. My wife
and I are very unhappy. But yesterday she came to us and said, "I know
how you feel, and you know how I feel. So I am going to do this: I am
going to attend college for one year. If I like it, I'll continue; if I don't,
I'll leave." I felt/was very
contented with her decision.
(3) Maybe (a big "maybe") the best thing for a learner (and even a
native speaker) to do is this:
(a) Of course, ALWAYS use "content
ed" in front of a noun.
(b) For ALL other sentences, use "content." You will always be
"right" (since most native speakers say they are interchangeable).
Sincerely,
James
P.S. You have probably heard of the famous radio/TV/Internet
company in the United Kingdom called the British Broadcasting
Corporation. One person checked bbc.co.uk, and he found 1,910
examples of "not content" and 6 (!!!) examples of "not contented."
