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Writing Tip 170: “Dived” vs. “Dove”

"Dived" vs. "Dove"
A character in my new work-in-progress just dove into this beautiful mountain lake in Slovakia. Yes, she dove. With all her clothes on. A ribbon from her grandmother coming loose from her hair when she hit the water. (Have I mentioned I’m excited about my new book?)

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?More