Here is a very cheap question that even an averagely educated person should be able to answer. What is the big deal in handling ‘showed’ and ‘shown’, after all (two words: after all; not afterall)? The issue may, however, not be as straightforward as I am suggesting because the two words do clash at times.
At least, they clash in the hands of those who fail to master the tense forms of ‘show’, which is an irregular verb. Simply put, ‘show’ is the present tense form, ‘showed’ the past and ‘shown’ the past participle. You should be careful not to use ‘showed’ where ‘shown’ is expected:
I regularly show him my work.
I showed him the work yesterday.
I have showed him the work. (Wrong)
I have shown him the work. (Correct)
They hope to show the film at the MUSON Centre.
They are currently showing the film at the MUSON Centre.
They showed the film yesterday.
They have showed the film. (Wrong)
They have shown the film. (Correct)
I won’t show him the new book.
I showed him.
I have showed him. (Wrong)
I have shown him. (Correct)
Other o-w irregular verbs you should watch include grow, throw, blow and sow:
Where did he grow up?
He grew up in Abia State.
He has really grown up.
Throw the ball to him.
He threw the ball to him.
He has thrown the ball to him.
He plans to sow cotton this year.
He sowed wheat last year.
He said he had sewn soybeans on the other plot.
Also note:
The bird may fly away.
The bird flew away.
The bird has flown away – not flied or flowed away!
He plans to flee the country soon.
He fled last week.
He has fled the country.
Credit: Akeem Lasisi