noncontrastive

[ non-kuhn-tras-tiv ]

/ ˌnɒn kənˈtræs tɪv /

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adjective

Linguistics. in complementary distribution; in free variation.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

Origin of noncontrastive

First recorded in 1960–65; non- + contrastive