What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tried
Example
I tried to fix the leaky faucet, but it still drips. [tried: past tense]
Example
This recipe is tried and true, I've made it many times before. [tried: adjective]
proven
Example
The new medication has proven to be very effective in treating the illness. [proven: verb]
Example
This is a proven method for studying for exams. [proven: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tried is more common in everyday language, while proven is more commonly used in formal or technical contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between tried and proven?
Proven is generally considered more formal than tried, and is often used in technical or academic writing to describe methods or approaches that have been shown to be effective or successful.
