John Dixon, independent medical writer and trainer in scientific writing skills, provides a useful tip for medical writers who work in MedComms.

John’s Linkedin page is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/johndixon-lsc/

John’s web page is at https://librasciencecomms.co.uk

Note these “bites” are recorded online using the zoom.us platform and hence quality may be affected by variability in internet connectivity and quality of webcams. The tips, however, are always first class!

Recorded 25 October 2019. Produced by NetworkPharma.tv

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Transcript

Hi, I’m John Dixon, a trainer in scientific writing, and here’s a bite that I hope may help you with your writing.

Are proved and proven the same part of speech? If not, when should each be used? [NEXT SLIDE]

The words ‘proved’ and ‘proven’ are commonly used in scientific writing, and seem to be interchangeable – but are they? [NEXT]
So which of these is correct, acceptable or unacceptable? Is there a rule?
A cause and effect relationship was proven.
A cause and effect relationship was proved.
A proven relationship would have important consequences.
A proved relationship would have important consequences. [NEXT]

Well, it depends on which style guide or dictionary you refer to, and also whether you’re writing in British or American English [NEXT]

Referring to Fowler’s Modern English Usage and The Chicago Manual of Style:
‘Proved’ is usually used as the past participle of the verb ‘prove’ … certainly in British English according to Fowler:
So, A cause and effect relationship was proved… would be correct … and ‘proven’ would not usually be used here [NEXT]
‘Proven’ is used as an adjective before a noun in both British and American English:
So we would say: A proven relationship would have important consequences. [NEXT]
However, there are exceptions in British English:
In Scotland and some dialects in northern England, ‘proven’ is still used as the past participle of ‘prove’
In Scottish law: ‘not proven’ is common legal language [NEXT SLIDE]

According to Fowler’s Modern English Usage and Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary…
In American English, ‘proven’ is used as frequently as ‘proved’ as the past participle of the verb ‘prove’:
So, equally acceptable … in American English … would be:
A cause and effect relationship was proved. … OR …
A cause and effect relationship was proven. [NEXT SLIDE]

In summary…
In BrE, use ‘proved’ as the past participle of the verb ‘prove’:
So: A cause and effect relationship was proved. [NEXT]

In AmE, use ‘proved’ or ‘proven’ as the past participle of the verb ‘prove’, but… importantly… be consistent:
So: A cause and effect relationship was proved. … OR …
A cause and effect relationship was proven. [NEXT]

When needed as an adjective (in BrE or AmE), use ‘proven’:
A proven relationship would have important consequences. [NEXT]

Well, I hope that’s helpful. For more bites, visit NetworkPharma.tv

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[For the avoidance of doubt: this video is intended to be freely accessible to all. Please feel free to share and use however you like. Cheers Peter Llewellyn, Director NetworkPharma Ltd and Founder of the MedComms Networking Community activity at http://www.medcommsnetworking.com]