English UsageComparison guide
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
Confusion Familyregional-variant
Rule Familyverb-form
TermsDived, Dove
Variant ScopeCambridge lists “dived” or US also “dove” for past tense, but “dived” for the past participle.
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”