It has been proved/proven... (sentence, tense, participle, British)

[bostonguy1960]

Which is correct? Either?

I've always used "proven" in such a sentence, as do most people, I think.

But I've noticed that the New York Times and other printed or over-the-air media often say "it has been proved." Sounds odd, but maybe it's correct?

Is "proven" to be used only as an adjective, as in "a proven fact"?

[travelinhobo]

Many verbs have interchangeable pairs for the present perfect. THis is one of them. Sometimes it's because one is British English and the other is American. Sometimes...it's because it's English!

[theoldnorthstate]

it was proved
it has been proven

[ChrisC]

Originally Posted by theoldnorthstate

it was proved
it has been proven

it was proven
it has been proved

it was proved
it has been proven

All four of these are considered grammatically correct. One variation favors British English, the other US English. But all of them are acceptable/correct. (that includes indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods)

[NLVgal]

The one that I have a question about for our dear posters is "pleaded". I used to read "He pled guilty" and I still hear it spoken, but now all the news articles say "He pleaded guilty." It just sounds wrong to me.

I guess I am not the only one who feels that way, because I found this link.

Pled versus pleaded « Pain in the English

[ChrisC]

Originally Posted by NLVgal

The one that I have a question about for our dear posters is "pleaded". I used to read "He pled guilty" and I still hear it spoken, but now all the news articles say "He pleaded guilty." It just sounds wrong to me.

I guess I am not the only one who feels that way, because I found this link.

Pled versus pleaded « Pain in the English

My verb conjugation reference shows "pleaded," but mentions "pled" as American English and acceptable for the past tense and past participle forms. It also mentions "plead" as an alternate spelling.

I've always said it as "pled." Like you, "pleaded" just sounds kind of funny to me...