it has proven

USAGE SUMMARY

'it has proven' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has been demonstrated or established to be true. For example, "It has proven that investments in renewable energy sources can help to mitigate the effects of climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has proven a false hope.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, it has proven extremely challenging.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules

It has proven particularly useful during the recent Iranian crackdown.

The Guardian

It has proven to be Mr. Lotto's salvation.

The New York Times

It has proven effective for business process adaptation.

IFAC-PapersOnLine

It has proven highly reliable, accurate and efficient.

Journal of Applied Geophysics

Yet it has proven hopeless at solving the crimes.

The Economist

But it has proven exceptionally difficult to break the tradition.

The Washington Post

It has proven far more effective than expected.

MIT Technology Review

It has proven difficult to convince courts of the misuse defense.

Harvard University

Finally, it has proven costly and difficult to manufacture surfaces based on the lotus strategy.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has proven" to introduce findings that have been confirmed through reliable evidence or repeated observation, lending credibility to your claims.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "it has proven" as it can make your writing sound vague. When possible, rephrase to highlight the active agent or cause responsible for the proof. For example, instead of saying "it has proven difficult to convince courts", consider "researchers have struggled to convince courts".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has proven" functions as an introductory clause that asserts the validity or truth of a following statement. It introduces a confirmed finding or established fact, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

50%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it has proven" is a versatile phrase used to introduce facts or findings that have been validated through evidence or experience. As shown by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and frequently appears in diverse contexts, notably in science, academia, and news media. While generally appropriate for both formal and informal writing, aiming for more descriptive, impactful alternatives can prevent overuse and enhance clarity. Given its wide usage, understanding its function and potential pitfalls can greatly improve writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has been demonstrated

This alternative replaces "proven" with "demonstrated", emphasizing the act of showing or exhibiting something clearly.

it has been established

Using "established" instead of "proven" suggests that something has been firmly settled or recognized as true.

it has been shown

This alternative is more passive and focuses on the fact that evidence has revealed something to be true.

it is evident that

This phrasing introduces a sense of obviousness or clarity about the truth of something.

the results confirm

This alternative emphasizes that specific results support a previous claim or hypothesis.

evidence suggests

This phrase shifts the focus to the evidence itself, indicating a leaning towards a particular conclusion.

the facts indicate

This alternative highlights that the facts point towards a particular outcome or conclusion.

it is now clear

This suggests a transition to a state of clarity, implying that previous ambiguity has been resolved.

research indicates

This alternative directly points to the findings of research as supporting evidence.

experience has taught us

This phrase emphasizes that knowledge has been derived through practical application and observation over time.

FAQs

How can I use "it has proven" in a sentence?

Use "it has proven" to introduce a fact or finding that has been demonstrated or established to be true through evidence or repeated experience. For instance, "it has proven effective in reducing crime rates" or "it has proven difficult to implement the new policy".

What are some alternatives to using "it has proven"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it has been demonstrated", "evidence suggests", or "research indicates". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "it has proven" formal or informal?

"It has proven" is generally considered suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal settings may benefit from stronger synonyms like "it has been established" to enhance the authority of your statement.

What's the difference between "it has proven" and "it has been proven"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey the same basic meaning. "It has proven" is the active form and often sounds more direct, while "it has been proven" is the passive form, which emphasizes the action rather than the actor. The active form is generally preferred for conciseness.