Grammar choices
Proved vs. Proven
Use proved for the simple past, as in she proved her point. After has, have or had, both proved and proven are correct. Right before a noun, use proven, as in a proven method.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| proved | verb | the past tense of prove, and one of its two past participles |
| proven | adjective | shown to work or to be true; used before a noun |
| verb | a past participle of prove, used after has, have, had or a form of be |
Proved
verb: the past tense of prove, and one of its two past participles
- The test proved that the old wiring was safe.
- The back road has proved faster than the highway at rush hour.
Proven
adjective: shown to work or to be true; used before a noun
- Grace has a proven record of finishing projects on time.
- Flash cards are a proven way to learn new vocabulary.
verb: a past participle of prove, used after has, have, had or a form of be
- The theory has never been proven in a lab.
- Elena has proven that she can handle the night shift.
How to remember the difference
Proved does the action in the past. Proven describes. If the word sits right before a noun, like a proven recipe, choose proven.
Good to know
Some editors prefer proved after have, as in has proved, because it is the older form. Proven is the usual choice before a noun, as in a proven track record. Both participles are standard in American English.
Spot the mistake
Last season the young goalie
provenproved everyone wrong.Correct: Last season the young goalie proved everyone wrong.
Check yourself
Pick the word that fits each sentence.
1. Yesterday the lab results that the water was clean.
Answer: proved. This is the simple past tense, and only proved works as a simple past.
2. The coach likes to use drills that have worked for years.
Answer: proven. The word comes right before a noun, drills, so the adjective proven fits.