sawn
Low-to-MediumTechnical/Construction, Informal
Definition
Meaning
Past participle of 'saw', meaning to cut (wood, metal, etc.) with a saw.
Used as an adjective to describe something that has been cut with a saw, or as a verb in passive/perfect constructions referring to the action of sawing.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily functions as the past participle of 'saw'. Its use as a standalone adjective is largely restricted to contexts where describing the method of cutting or the resultant state is relevant.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK English, both 'sawn' and 'sawed' are acceptable as the past participle. In US English, 'sawed' is more common, but 'sawn' is also used, especially in certain set phrases or technical/formal contexts.
Connotations
'Sawn' may sound slightly more formal or technical, especially in American English, where 'sawed' is the default.
Frequency
In British English, 'sawn' is relatively frequent, especially in descriptions (e.g., 'sawn timber'). In American English, 'sawed-off shotgun' is more common than 'sawn-off shotgun'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be + sawn + (by-agent) (Passive)have + sawn + NP (Perfect)NP + be + sawn-off (Adjectival Phrase)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sawn-off shotgun”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in lumber/construction industries: 'The supplier delivered sawn timber for the frame.'
Academic
Rare. May appear in archaeology/forensics: 'The bone appeared to have been sawn.'
Everyday
Descriptive: 'We used sawn logs for the fire.'
Technical
Precise description of material state: 'Rough-sawn oak planks.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The old beams have been sawn to make smaller sections.
- He had sawn through the metal bar before we arrived.
American English
- The lumber had been roughly sawn into planks.
- They have sawn off the damaged part of the post.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- We bought some sawn timber for the shed.
- He was threatened with a sawn-off shotgun.
American English
- The edges of the sawn board were rough.
- The police found a sawed-off shotgun in the car.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The wood is sawn.
- Look at the sawn log.
- The carpenter has sawn the plank in two.
- They used sawn wood for the new fence.
- Once the timber has been sawn to size, it can be treated.
- The detective identified the weapon as a sawn-off shotgun.
- The ancient oak, having been sawn centuries ago, showed clear tool marks.
- The legislation specifically bans the possession of a sawn-off shotgun.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DAWN where you use a SAW. The sun rises on a pile of SAWN wood.
Conceptual Metaphor
SEPARATION IS CUTTING (A problem was sawn in two; his connection to the past was sawn off).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'сеянный' (sown).
- Often corresponds to 'распиленный' or 'пиленый' (as an adjective).
- The passive construction 'It was sawn' can be tricky where Russian might use a reflexive verb.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'sawn' as the simple past tense (incorrect: *'Yesterday I sawn the log.' Correct: 'sawed').
- Overusing 'sawn' in American English where 'sawed' is more natural.
- Misspelling as 'sawen' or 'sown'.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'sawn' used correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct. 'Sawn' is more common in UK English, while 'sawed' is more common in US English, though both forms are understood everywhere.
Yes, commonly in phrases like 'sawn timber' or 'sawn-off shotgun' to describe something that has been cut with a saw.
The simple past tense is 'sawed'. 'Sawn' is not used for the simple past (e.g., 'He sawed the wood' not *'He sawn the wood').
Primarily, yes, in the fixed phrase 'sawn-off shotgun' (UK) / 'sawed-off shotgun' (US). It can describe other items with a shortened barrel, but this is rare and context-specific.