Irregular verbs  Regular verbs

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sow, sows, sowing, sown, sowed

Synonyms: plant, seed, scatter, broadcast, implant

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Antonyms: reap, harvest, gather, uproot, collect

The Verb Sow – Definition, Usage, and Clarification


The verb sow is an irregular verb that means to plant seeds by scattering them on or in the earth. Figuratively, it means to cause a feeling or idea to spread.


VERB FORMS


■ Base Form: sow
■ Past Simple: sowed
■ Past Participle: sown or sowed
■ Present Participle/Gerund: sowing


USAGE AND CONTEXT


'Sow' is primarily an agricultural term, but its figurative use is also very common.


1. Planting Seeds
This is its literal, agricultural meaning.


■ Farming: 'The farmer sowed the fields with wheat in the spring.'


2. Spreading an Idea or Feeling (Figurative)
This refers to causing an abstract concept to begin and grow.


■ Ideas: 'His actions sowed doubt in the minds of the investors.'
■ Conflict: 'The propagandist tried to sow discord among the allies.'


ℹ IMPORTANT: PRONUNCIATION AND IDIOM


■ Pronunciation: The verb sow is pronounced exactly like so and sew. The pronunciation is /soʊ/. This can be a source of confusion.


■ 'Sown' vs. 'Sowed': Both 'sown' and 'sowed' are correct past participles. However, sown is more traditional and common, especially in figurative use and when the participle acts as an adjective.


■ Idiom - 'You reap what you sow': This is a very famous proverb. It means that you will eventually have to face the consequences of your actions.