The verb describes something that happens to someone or is felt by them.

The idea

Use experience directly before a noun naming an event, difficulty or feeling. Its past form is experienced.

Examples

  • The village experienced a severe storm.
  • We experienced a delay at the station.
  • She experienced great joy at the news.
  • The town experienced a water shortage.
  • The travelers experienced a warm welcome.
  • He experienced fear during the flight.

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Watch out

Do not add of before the object: say experience a delay, not experience of a delay.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct form. The city experienced a power ___. (cut / cutting)

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    cut

    cut completes the event, a power cut.

  2. Choose the correct form. She experienced ___ when she saw the gift. (joy / joyful)

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    joy

    joy names the feeling caused by the gift.

  3. Choose the correct form. Last winter, our school ___ a flood. (experienced / experience)

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    experienced

    experienced places the flood in the past.

Use it today

Describe a positive event and a difficulty you experienced.