What flows more naturally to your ear? “She dived into the water” or “she dove into the water”? One of these constructions has been correct since roughly 1300, and the other was first misused about two centuries ago. Do you know the difference? And more importantly, does it even matter?
- “Dived” was the original past form of the word “dive,” and to many (largely British) audiences, it still holds the title as the correct form.
- “Dove” came to be in the 1800s, following the past-tense pattern of the verb “drive/drove.” Today, “dove” is the more common form in both speech and written text in the U.S. and Canada.
But just because it’s more common, is it right?
Oh, you know “right” is such a flexible word when it comes to the transition of language. However, it is indeed considered acceptable and preferred to most audiences on this side of the Atlantic.
Thus:
- William Shakespeare dived into his work.
- Mark Twain dove into the Mississippi.
What do you think?