Grammar, Usage, and Style Guide: SparkNotes Ultimate Style: Ultimate Style: Born vs. Borne

Abbreviations

Common Errors

Formatting

Punctuation

Usage

Common Errors

Both words are past participles of to bear.

born: used to describe babies

• Keisha was born on December 25, 2001.

borne: used in all other contexts

• Keisha’s mother has borne two children.

• Borne away by a gust of wind last week, Keisha’s nappy finally floated to the ground this morning.

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