proves

Proves is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb prove in English. It is used with he, she, it, or with singular nouns: for example, "The experiment proves the hypothesis." The word conveys that evidence or reasoning establishes a claim within a given context.

In mathematical and logical contexts, a proof is a carefully structured argument that demonstrates the truth of a proposition within a formal system. When a statement is proven, it is considered true under the stated axioms and rules. In everyday language, prove can also mean to show by evidence, observation, or calculation, as in "the data proves a correlation." Note that traditional grammar treats data as plural and would normally take prove, while many modern writers use data as a singular mass noun and accept proves in informal contexts.

Etymologically, prove derives from the Latin probare, via Old French prover, with related senses of testing, validating, or confirming quality or truth. The term has given rise to related nouns such as proof and to adjectives like proven, which is also used as the past participle in some varieties.

Past tense and participle forms include proved (simple past) and proven (past participle). Proved is commonly used in everyday prose for the past tense, while proven is frequently used as an adjective or in more formal writing. The distinction between proving and showing remains a practical one in both scientific and legal discourse.