Language expert Lane Greene said both "gaslit" and "gaslighted" are acceptable past-tense forms of the verb "gaslight" [1].
This clarification addresses a common point of confusion for native English speakers as the term has transitioned from a niche psychological descriptor to a mainstream verb. Because the word is now used frequently in social and political discourse, the tension between regular and irregular verb conjugation has become more apparent.
Greene, featured by The Economist, said the linguistic mechanics behind the two forms [1]. In English, many verbs that end in "-ight" follow an irregular pattern where the vowel changes, similar to how "light" becomes "lit." This makes "gaslit" a natural evolution for many speakers.
However, the word also follows the standard rules of English grammar by adding "-ed" to the end of the root word. This results in "gaslighted," which remains a grammatically correct option [1], [2].
The rise of the term's popularity is reflected in its recognition by major linguistic institutions. "Gaslighting" was named Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year in 2022 [2]. This surge in usage often leads to a period of instability where multiple versions of a word coexist before one becomes dominant.
Greene said that the choice between the two often depends on the speaker's preference or the formality of the setting [1]. While some may perceive "gaslit" as more modern or colloquial, "gaslighted" adheres to the most basic rule of English past-tense construction.
Experts said that neither form is incorrect, and users can choose based on the rhythm of their sentence, or the expectations of their audience [1], [2]. The coexistence of these forms is a common feature of the English language as it absorbs and adapts new terminology.
“Both 'gaslit' and 'gaslighted' are acceptable past-tense forms of the verb 'gaslight.'”
The acceptance of both 'gaslit' and 'gaslighted' illustrates how English evolves when a specialized term enters general circulation. When a word moves from a specific context—such as the 1944 film 'Gaslight'—into everyday use, the public often applies two different linguistic instincts: the irregular pattern of related words like 'light' and the standard 'ed' suffix. This duality typically persists until a specific usage becomes the cultural standard.
