Whether or not an irregular verb retains its irregularity depends largely on how much it is used in everyday life. If it’s a common word, it’s more likely to stay irregular, because we’re frequently reminded of the “correct” form. If it’s a rare word, the irregularity tends to disappear over time because we simply forget. That’s why “to be” couldn’t be more irregular (it’s used enough to retain its forms) and the past participle of “to prove” is slowly becoming regular “proved” (it’s rare enough to be forgotten).
It’s also interesting how the past-tense of “to dive” has changed over recent generations. “Dived” is supposed to be standard, yet people turn it into “dove” so frequently, it’s becoming the new normal.
Exactly, that’s the expected path: the irregular form disappears as more and more speakers forget it and instead, “on the fly”, apply the general rules of word formation in their language. Over time the “regularised” form becomes the accepted, “correct” one.
Whether or not an irregular verb retains its irregularity depends largely on how much it is used in everyday life. If it’s a common word, it’s more likely to stay irregular, because we’re frequently reminded of the “correct” form. If it’s a rare word, the irregularity tends to disappear over time because we simply forget. That’s why “to be” couldn’t be more irregular (it’s used enough to retain its forms) and the past participle of “to prove” is slowly becoming regular “proved” (it’s rare enough to be forgotten).
yes i like language very much
Edit: typo
It’s also interesting how the past-tense of “to dive” has changed over recent generations. “Dived” is supposed to be standard, yet people turn it into “dove” so frequently, it’s becoming the new normal.
I resist because I’m literate enough to know that “dove” is a bird that rhymes with “love”.
Wait, what’s the other option for past tense ‘to prove’?
“I have proven”
That would be the past participle wouldn’t it?
Yeah, that’s what I said earlier.
Ah, duh. Interesting that it’s moving to the more typical “ed” ending
Exactly, that’s the expected path: the irregular form disappears as more and more speakers forget it and instead, “on the fly”, apply the general rules of word formation in their language. Over time the “regularised” form becomes the accepted, “correct” one.
OP has just proven their point.