What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dived
Example
The swimmer dived into the pool and swam to the other side. [dived: past tense]
Example
The plane dived towards the ground before pulling up at the last moment. [dived: past participle]
plunged
Example
The hiker plunged into the icy river to save the drowning dog. [plunged: past tense]
Example
The stock market plunged after the announcement of the company's bankruptcy. [plunged: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Plunged is more commonly used than dived in everyday language, especially in American English.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dived and plunged?
Both dived and plunged are considered formal words and are appropriate for use in academic or professional writing.
