Dived vs Dove
What’s the difference between them?
Dived
Meaning:
The past tense of dive - plunging into water.
Examples:
1. She dived off the high diving board.
2. He dived to the bottom of the lake and searched for treasure.
3. The dolphins dived deep beneath the surface.
Dove
Meaning:
The past tense of dive - plunging into water.
Examples:
1. The dove flew away with a twig in its beak.
2. The dove cooed softly as it perched on the windowsill.
3. The dove's graceful flight was a beautiful sight to behold.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Dived
1. Plunged
2. Submerged
3. Descend
4. Entered the water
5. Went under the surface
1. Emerged
2. Climbed
3. Ascended
4. Surfaced
5. Jumped Out
Dove
1. Plunged
2. Submerged
3. Descend
4. Entered the water
5. Went under the surface
1. Emerged
2. Climbed
3. Ascended
4. Surfaced
5. Jumped Out
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Dived", "Dove".
1. In American English, the past tense of dive is spelled 'dived,' while in British English, the past tense of dive is spelled 'dove.'
2. Remember that American English spellings for words often differ from British English spellings.
3. Pay attention to the context clues when deciding which spelling of a word to use.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
When should 'dived' be used?
Dived should be used when referring to the past tense of the verb 'dive', meaning to plunge into water or to take a sudden downward plunge. For example, 'I dived off the diving board yesterday'.
When is the appropriate context for using 'dove'?
Dove should be used when referring to the past tense of the verb 'dive', meaning to plunge into water or to take a sudden downward plunge. For example, 'She dove into the pool yesterday'.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, dived is pronounced as /daivd/, while dove is pronounced as /douv/
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
A common mistake people make when using these words is confusing them with each other. While they are both the past tense of the verb 'dive', they have different connotations. 'Dived' is typically used for formal situations, whereas 'dove' can be used for both formal and informal contexts. Additionally, some people will mistakenly use 'dove' when referring to the past tense of the verb 'dive', when they should be using 'dived'.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. After hesitating for a moment, she finally _____ into the deep end of the pool.
2. In his American English class, he learned that the past tense of dive was _____.
3. When in London, I noticed people used the word _____ instead of its American counterpart.
4. As soon as he saw the coin at the bottom, he _____ down to get it.
5. I was amazed at how gracefully the Olympic athlete _____ from the highest platform.
6. During our vacation across the pond, my sister _____ off a cliff into the sea.
1. After hesitating for a moment, she finally dived into the deep end of the pool.
Explanation: Without a specific reference to British or American English, both dived and dove can be considered correct. However, dived is given as the answer here for varietys sake.
2. In his American English class, he learned that the past tense of dive was dived.
Explanation: The sentence specifically mentions American English class, so the American version dived is correct.
3. When in London, I noticed people used the word dove instead of its American counterpart.
Explanation: The reference to London is a clue to use the British version, so dove is correct.
4. As soon as he saw the coin at the bottom, he dived/dove down to get it.
Explanation: Without a specific reference to British or American English, both dived and dove can be considered correct.
5. I was amazed at how gracefully the Olympic athlete dived from the highest platform.
Explanation: Without a specific hint towards American or British English, both options can be considered correct. Here, dived is given as the answer for variety.
6. During our vacation across the pond, my sister dived/dove off a cliff into the sea.
Explanation: There is no clue, so both words are correct.
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Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.