How to say it: Shined or shone?

The other day while reading an outstanding work of great literature (e.g. “Heathcliff’s Troubles”), I came across a frame which had the big orange cat shining a flashlight into a dark room. Which caused me to wonder: Does one state that “Heathcliff shined the light into the darkness, or Heathcliff shone the light into the darkness?”

My first reaction was to contact Heathcliff himself to ask his opinion on how he would like to be portrayed. However, his receptionist responded that he was out of the office, raiding garbage cans for fish. I would have to resort to “Plan B”. Ah! Where would we be without the Internet?

There appears to be quite a bit of debate as to what the proper employment of the past tense of “shine” is. According to one blog, there appears to be a “friendly competition” between American English and its British English counterpart. Should one reside on the North American continent, the correct usage is that Heathcliff shined the flashlight into the darkened room. However, should one transport the furry feline to the shores of Great Britain and place him in a darkened room with a “torch” (remember where we are), upon turning it on Heathcliff would have shone the light around the room.

However, the best example (and the one I will personally rely upon in the future) comes from the New York Times Manual of Style and Usage. “Shined” is employed when a direct object is involved (i.e. shined the flashlight around the room). “Shone” is utilized when there is no direct object present, as in “Yesterday the sun shone brightly”. Given that this audience will spend most of their time on the North American continent, this would appear to be the best course of action.

Gary Chiu