Torn
/tɔrn/
adjectivepast participleB2past participle
Definition
Torn means broken or split by pulling or force, like when paper or fabric is ripped. It also describes a strong feeling of being unsure or having two opposite feelings at the same time, making it hard to decide.
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See It in Action
Physically ripped or damaged by pulling
- •She wore a torn shirt after the hike.
- •The letter was torn in half by accident.
- •His book had torn pages from heavy use.
Emotionally or mentally divided or confused
- •He felt torn between moving to a new city or staying close to family.
- •She was torn about telling the truth or protecting her friend.
- •They were torn by conflicting feelings after the argument.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "torn" like "broken," but for things made of soft materials like paper or cloth, or for feelings that are mixed and confused
- ✓Picture a piece of paper with a clear rip in the middle, or a heart split between two choices
- ✓It's the feeling when you want to do two opposite things but can't choose, like wanting to stay home but also go out with friends
- ✓Sounds like "torn" → imagine a horn (sounds similar) breaking into two pieces, showing something split
- ✓Think of stories where a character is torn between two friends or two paths, feeling pulled in different directions
- ✓NOT like "cut" (clean, sharp separation), "torn" is usually rough and accidental ripping
- ✓NOT like "broken" (usually hard things), "torn" is for soft things or emotions that feel split
- ✓NOT like "decided," "torn" means not sure or divided inside
Try Other Words
- •Ripped: physically pulled apart with force (Use when focusing on physical damage, often more sudden or violent)
- •Split: divided into parts or pieces (Use when emphasizing separation into parts, physical or emotional)
- •Conflicted: feeling unsure or having opposite feelings inside (Use when focusing on emotional or mental division)
- •Damaged: harmed or hurt (Use generally for physical or emotional harm, less specific than torn)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: Base verb "tear" + "-n" (past participle suffix)
- •Etymology: From Old English "teran," meaning to pull apart or rend
- •Historical development: Used since early English to describe physical ripping; later used figuratively for emotional division
- •Modern usage: Commonly used for ripped objects and to describe emotional or mental conflict or indecision
Reflect & Connect
•How do you feel when you are torn between two choices? Can this feeling help you make better decisions?
•Can physical damage like something torn also symbolize emotional or mental struggles? How?
Fill in the blanks
1.The shirt was torn because it got caught on a ___ during the hike.
2.She felt torn between going to the party and ___ her homework.
3.Unlike a clean cut, a torn paper has ___ edges that are uneven.
4.When someone is torn about a decision, they often feel ___ and unsure.
5.The torn pages of the book showed signs of ___ use over many years.
6.After the argument, he was torn inside and could not ___ what to do next.
7.Torn feelings often come with ___ between two strong desires or beliefs.