knelt

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "knelt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about someone having gone to a kneeling position, typically as a sign of respect. For example, "The knight knelt before the king."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mark told me: "For nearly 365 nights I have knelt and prayed for their return.

The Guardian - Opinion

In Cut Piece, an early piece of feminist art first staged in 1964, Yoko Ono knelt on the ground and laid down a pair of scissors.

The Guardian - Arts

Others knelt.

The New York Times

Gerhard Klann, the most experienced member of the team, says the five were three children and their grandparents and that Mr Kerrey knelt on the grandfather while Mr Klann sliced his head almost clean off.The team then began moving towards the village.

The Economist

Hugo Moyano, the head of Argentina's biggest trade-union confederation, has turned against Ms Fernández, accusing her of acting like "a goddess…who has to be knelt before".The squeeze has also hit local governments.

The Economist

As they caught Ghosanada's chant, "Hate can never be appeased by hate; hate can only be appeased by love", soldiers laid down their arms and knelt by the side of the road.

The Economist

Dressed in a white army uniform, sword at his side, he knelt down before a larger-than-life oil painting of the king.

The Economist

Flexible workspaces now whisk you away from noisy colleagues at the click of a buttonHard to get overTwo distinguished prelates of the Christian world, Pope Francis and Bartholomew I, knelt together in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on May 25th.

The Economist

When his followers were blocked by the police they knelt in prayer behind a picture of the Virgin of Guadalupe.The idealism of Chávez's movement and the fasts he endured to win support for striking farmworkers caught the public imagination.

The Economist

He bade the people kneel down and pray to God to forgive them their sins; and all that lately so tumultuous multitude knelt down at the command of their sovereign, and unresistingly allowed the police to come among them and quietly convey the ringleaders of the riot to prison". P. P

The Economist

He knelt down, took her hand and offered comfort.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "knelt" to describe a past action of kneeling, typically indicating respect, prayer, or submission. Ensure the context clearly conveys the intended meaning.

Common error

While "kneeled" is also a valid past tense form of "kneel", "knelt" is generally more common and preferred in modern usage. Opt for "knelt" unless you have a specific reason to use "kneeled".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "knelt" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb "kneel". It describes a completed action of assuming a kneeling position. Ludwig AI confirms this grammatical correctness and shows frequent usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "knelt" is the past tense of the verb "kneel", denoting the action of going down on one's knees. It is grammatically correct and "very common" in usage, as supported by Ludwig AI and its extensive examples. The term appears frequently in contexts such as "News & Media" and "Encyclopedias". While "kneeled" is an alternative, "knelt" is generally preferred. Use "knelt" to clearly and concisely describe the past act of kneeling, whether for respect, prayer, or other purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kneeled

This is a direct synonym, another past tense form of "kneel".

bent the knee

A more figurative way of saying knelt, often implying submission or respect.

got down on one knee

Describes the action of assuming a kneeling position, often associated with proposals or ceremonies.

dropped to their knees

Emphasizes the suddenness of assuming a kneeling position.

bowed down

Implies bending the body downwards, often as a sign of respect or submission.

genuflected

Describes bending the knee, especially in religious contexts.

prostrated oneself

A more formal way of describing lying face down, often in worship or deep respect.

took a knee

Describes the action of kneeling, particularly associated with protests or displays of solidarity.

crouched down

Suggests lowering the body to the ground by bending the legs, but not necessarily on the knees.

squatted

Implies lowering the body with bent knees, maintaining a position above the ground.

FAQs

How do I use "knelt" in a sentence?

"Knelt" is the past tense of "kneel". For example, "The knight "knelt" before the queen."

Is "kneeled" or "knelt" correct?

Both "kneeled" and "knelt" are past tense forms of "kneel", but "knelt" is more commonly used. While "kneeled" is grammatically correct, "knelt" is generally the preferred form in contemporary English.

What does it mean to say someone "knelt"?

To say someone "knelt" means they went down on their knees, typically as a sign of respect, submission, or prayer. It can also be a position taken for practical reasons, like getting closer to the ground.

What are some synonyms for "knelt"?

Some synonyms for "knelt" include "kneeled", "bowed down", "genuflected" or "dropped to their knees", each carrying slightly different connotations.