You’ve probably heard the phrase “innocent until proven guilty” — it’s a staple in legal dramas and courtroom jargon. But you won’t hear anyone say “proved guilty” instead. Why is that? While both “proved” and “proven” are valid past participles of the verb “prove,” only “proven” is commonly used as an adjective. In fact, some guides dictate that “proven” should be used only as an adjective and “proved” as the past participle. But as Merriam-Webster and other dictionaries report, both “proven” and “proved” developed as the past tense of “prove,” and they’re mostly interchangeable in that usage.
In casual conversation, you can use whichever word feels more natural: “I have proved/proven my point.” Merriam-Webster notes that the past participle “proven” is now just as common as “proved,” though this wasn’t always the case. During the 19th century, grammarians often dismissed it as incorrect. Most writers of the time adhered to “proved” — except for famed poet Lord Alfred Tennyson, who favored “proven” for its two-syllable rhythm: “For nothing worthy proving can be proven, / Nor yet disproven.”
However, if you’re using the word as an attributive adjective, “proven” is the better choice, as in, “She has a proven ability to meet her goals.” Some style guides reflect this distinction. For example, the Associated Press Stylebook recommends using “proven” only as an adjective (“The cough syrup was a proven remedy”), while using “proved” as the past participle (“He was proved innocent”).
If you’re not required to adhere to AP Stylebook rules (as we do on Word Smarts), you have more leniency with “proven.” Since the 19th century, “proven” has continued to gain ground in American usage, with a steady foothold in legal contexts and everyday conversation. In the end, the “right” choice may depend on your style guide or, like Tennyson, your ear for rhythm.
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