fitted vs fit

[Lavsan]

Synonym Search, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #105 "Synonyms for adapt", question 10

I like those shoes so much, I wish they ......... me.

(a) harmonized
(b) fitted
(c) accommodated
(d) corresponded

Synonym Search, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #105 "Synonyms for adapt", answer 10

I like those shoes so much, I wish they fitted me.

Correct answer: (b) fitted

Your answer was: incorrect
I like those shoes so much, I wish they accommodated me.
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I thought fitted in this sense would be incorrect. I thought fit me would sound better. I realize clothing can be fitted by a tailor. I didn't think shoes were able to make themselves fit someone.

Lavsan

[lost_soul]

No, unfortunatelly you're wrong. By using the Past Simple we express an unreal (probably) but desired situation here. Those shoes probably dont fit him, but he wishes they did.
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Alex

A native speaker of Russian

[Yankee]

.
Both fit and fitted are used standardly as past forms of the verb 'fit'.

Where I'm from, 'fit' would generally be used as the simple past tense when the meaning is that something was the right size:
Those boots fit my son last year. I wonder if they will still fit him this winter.

The word 'fitted' would generally be used as the past tense and the past participle in a passive sense -- i.e. when the meaning is that something was adapted or was made to fit. For example, you might be fitted for a new suit or a car might be fitted with a new stereo system.

So, 'fitted' sounds quite odd to me in the test sentence -- for exactly the reason you gave, Lavsan.

I'm not sure whether this is also the usage tendency in the UK.
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Amy
.
ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

[lost_soul]

Hi, Yankee

I didnt know that fit might be conjugated as an irregular verb. In my dictionary there's no note about it. Cool
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Alex

A native speaker of Russian

[Yankee]

Hi LS

You'll find both past forms in Webster's Dictionary, for example.
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Amy
.
ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English