Accommodate vs. Accommodated

Attribute	Accommodate	Accommodated
Definition	to provide lodging or space for someone	having been provided with lodging or space
Verb form	accommodate	accommodated
Part of speech	verb	adjective
Synonyms	house, lodge, cater to	lodged, housed, catered to
Antonyms	reject, turn away	unaccommodated, rejected, turned away

Definition

Accommodate and accommodated are two words that are often confused due to their similar spellings and meanings. However, they have distinct differences in their usage and connotations.

Accommodate

The word "accommodate" is a verb that means to provide lodging or space for someone or something. It can also refer to making adjustments or adaptations to suit a particular purpose or need. For example, a hotel can accommodate guests by providing rooms for them to stay in, or a teacher can accommodate a student's learning style by using different teaching methods.

Accommodate can also be used in a more general sense to describe making room for something or someone. This can include physical space, time, or even emotional support. For instance, a schedule can be accommodated to fit in an extra meeting, or a friend can accommodate another friend by listening to their problems.

Accommodated

The word "accommodated" is the past tense and past participle form of the verb "accommodate." It is used to describe when someone or something has been provided with lodging or space, or when adjustments have been made to suit a particular purpose or need in the past.

For example, if a group of travelers were accommodated in a hotel during their trip, it means that they were given rooms to stay in. Similarly, if a student's learning needs were accommodated by a teacher, it means that the teacher made adjustments to help the student learn better.

Usage

While "accommodate" is used in the present tense to describe the act of providing space or making adjustments, "accommodated" is used in the past tense to indicate that the action has already been completed. This subtle difference in tense can affect the way the words are used in sentences.

For example, you would say "The hotel accommodates guests from all over the world" to describe an ongoing action, but you would say "The hotel accommodated the guests last night" to describe a specific event that happened in the past.

Connotations

Both "accommodate" and "accommodated" have positive connotations, as they imply a willingness to help or make adjustments for someone or something. They suggest a sense of hospitality, flexibility, and understanding towards others' needs.

However, "accommodate" can sometimes be seen as more proactive, as it describes the act of providing for someone or making adjustments in the present. On the other hand, "accommodated" is more retrospective, as it indicates that the action has already been completed in the past.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while "accommodate" and "accommodated" are closely related words, they have distinct differences in their usage and connotations. Understanding these differences can help you use them correctly in your writing and communication.