In modern usage, proven is an adjective (e.g., a proven formula), and proved is the past- and perfect-tense form of prove (e.g., I proved it; I have proved it). Exceptions abound, however, especially in American English, where proven is often used as the perfect tense of prove. So, for example, where a British writer is likely to write I have proved you wrong, an American writer might write I have proven you wrong.
Examples
These writers use proven (as an adjective) and proved (as the past tense and perfect tense of prove) according to modern usage conventions:
Traders can use divergence analysis and proven indicators like the Advance/Decline Line to identify critical market turning points … [Forbes]
The African Union, in fact, has proved itself both unwilling and, when it does attempt to act, incompetent to deal with sub-Saharan Africa’s chronic crisis. [Winnipeg Free Press]
So he would bring to the job both unique internationalist credentials and a proven ability to get big things done. [Financial Times]
The Lions have proved that a home team can, in fact, win at the Gabba this year. [Brisbane Times]
But proven often appears as the perfect tense—for example:
It is in this context that Jean-François Kahn’s phrase has proven equally infelicitous and illuminating. [Guardian]
Still, 86 percent of college graduates agreed that attending college had proven to be a good personal investment, it said. [Washington Post]
