Irregular verb
The verb to prove
prove → proved → proven
B2Meaning: to show that something is true · Type: irregular
Key points to remember
- Present Simple:
I/you/we/they prove·he/she/it proves - Past Simple:
proved(regular) - Past participle:
proven(irregular) orproved - -ing form:
proving
Conjugation of the verb to prove
Present Simple
| I | prove |
| You | prove |
| He / She / It | proves |
| We | prove |
| You (pl.) | prove |
| They | prove |
Past Simple
| I | proved |
| You | proved |
| He / She / It | proved |
| We | proved |
| You (pl.) | proved |
| They | proved |
All the forms of the verb to prove
Present Simple
Full pageprove / proves
“I prove my point.”
See the pagePresent Continuous
Full pageam / is / are proving
“I am proving the theory right now.”
See the pagePast Simple
Full pageproved
“She proved her innocence.”
See the pagePast Continuous
Full pagewas / were proving
“I was proving the theory when the phone rang.”
See the pagePresent Perfect
Full pagehave / has proven
“I have already proven the theory.”
See the pagePast Perfect
Full pagehad proven
“She had already proven the theory when I arrived.”
See the pageFuture Simple
Full pagewill prove
“I will prove the theory tomorrow.”
See the pageGoing to Future
Full pageam / is / are going to prove
“I'm going to prove the theory this weekend.”
See the pageConditional (would)
Full pagewould prove
“I would prove the theory if I had time.”
See the pageHow to use to prove
1. Proving, showing that something is true
- She proved her innocence.
- Can you prove it?
2. Turning out to be
Prove to be means that, in the end, something is like this: It proved to be useful (in the end, it was useful).
- It proved to be useful.
3. Expressions
Innocent until proven guilty: a person is innocent until a court shows they did the crime. To prove oneself: to show that you are good at something.
- Innocent until proven guilty.
- To prove oneself.
Common mistakes to avoid
1. I have no prove ❌
Prove is the verb. Proof is the noun: I have no proof. Compare: Can you prove it? and Do you have any proof? They are different words.
2. Proven as an adjective
Before a noun, use proven: a proven method (a method that we know works). A proven track record means a history of good results. This adjective is very common.
What's next?
You can conjugate to prove. Now say it out loud.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past simple of prove?+
The Past Simple of prove is proved (regular). The past participle can be proved (regular) or proven (irregular). Prove → proved → proved / proven. It is half regular, half irregular.
Is it proved or proven?+
In the Past Simple, always proved. For the past participle, both are correct. Before a noun (as an adjective), people prefer proven: a proven method (a method that we know works).
What is the difference between prove and proof?+
Prove is a verb: I can prove it. Proof is a noun (the thing that shows something is true): I have proof. Same family of words, different jobs in the sentence.
What does prove yourself mean?+
Prove yourself (dictionary form: prove oneself) means to show other people that you are good at something. He had to prove himself in his new job. It is a fixed expression.
What does innocent until proven guilty mean?+
It means that a person is treated as innocent until a court shows that they did the crime. It is a basic rule of law in many countries, and a famous phrase. Notice proven, used here like an adjective.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/prove
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.