I used to think (and I still wish) that the past tense of wreak was wrought, as in "He wreaks havoc. I resent the havoc wrought by him." But it's not, it's wreaked, which I think reeks and is wretched (sorry, couldn't wresist resist). In fact, wrought is the past tense of work, when it's used in the sense of to create, to craft, to fashion, to hammer out, etc., like "wrought-iron fence," "well-wrought story," or "carefully wrought argument." For all the usual meanings of work, you would of course use worked as the past tense.
Phew, I'm sure you're glad I cleared that up for you. Now you know what sorts of things I think about when I can't sleep and, further, why Andy never says "Penny for your thoughts?" anymore.
I had no idea!!! I thought that the only past tense pronounced that way was "reeked" ... as in I "reeked" of sweat after playing 18 holes in 100 degree heat and 100% humidity yesterday, so I took a shower before playing another nine holes!
Posted by: Di | August 11, 2007 at 12:32 PM