Dived vs. Dove
For “dive,” Cambridge lists past tense “dived” or US also “dove,” while the past participle is “dived.” This makes the distinction partly regional and partly grammatical.
Use “dived” as the general past form and past participle; “dove” is also a US past-tense form.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| a general past-tense form is needed | dived | “Dived” is the broadly standard past form. |
| US English simple past permits the regional variant | dove | “Dove” is also used as a US past-tense form. |
| a past participle is needed after have/has/had | dived | Use “dived” for the past participle in the reviewed guidance. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Is the verb directly governed by “have,” “has,” or “had”?
If yes: Use “dived” as the past participle.
If no: For simple past, “dived” is general; “dove” is also a US past-tense form.
Caveat: “Dove” is a regional simple-past variant, not the general past participle in this guidance. House style may prefer “dived” for consistency.
Examples
She dived into the pool before noon.
“Dived” is a standard simple-past form.
She dove into the pool before noon.
“Dove” is an accepted US simple-past variant.
She has dived here many times.
After “has,” the past participle is “dived.”
Further guidance
Core difference
Use “dived” as the general past form and past participle; “dove” is also a US past-tense form.
Style Boundary
Choose the form that fits the documented regional, grammatical, or stylistic context, and keep house style consistent when more than one standard form is available.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Dive — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Past tense “dived” or US also “dove”; past participle “dived”