prove
Base form
prove
/pruːv/
Past simple
proved
/pruːvd/
Past participle
provedproved / proven
/pruːvd//pruːvd/ /ˈpruːvn/
MeaningB1
to show that something is true
to prove someone wrong
In use
- After a modal verb · Form 1Can you prove that you were at home that evening?
- Negative · Form 1The photos don’t prove anything because they’re far too blurry.
- Past simple · Form 2The match last night proved that our team can beat anyone.
- Past simple · Form 2In 2019 a simple test proved that the old bridge was unsafe.
- Present perfect · Form 3The new timetable has proved very popular with commuters.The new timetable has proven very popular with commuters.
- Passive · Form 3In the end, nothing was ever proved against the manager.In the end, nothing was ever proven against the manager.
Watch out
In British English have takes proved: it has proved difficult. Americans prefer proven; both say a proven method.
Same pattern
A — B — BForms two and three are the same
Irregular VerbsLearn all three forms for good
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