1. to show that something is true or correct by providing evidence
證明,證實
He proved his theory with a series of experiments.
他透過一系列實驗證明了他的理論。
Can you prove that you were at home last night?
你能證明你昨晚在家嗎?
「prove」主要指透過證據或測試來證實某事為真,或展現出特定的品質。
證實為真
EN: to show that something is true by providing evidence or facts.
翻譯: 透過證據或事實來證明某事為真。
測試結果
EN: to show a particular result or quality after a period of time or testing.
翻譯: 經過一段時間或測試後,顯示出特定的結果或品質。
證明能力
EN: to show that you are good at something or have a particular ability.
翻譯: 展現你在某方面的能力或才華。
法律驗證
EN: to establish the validity of a will or other legal document.
翻譯: 確認遺囑或其他法律文件的有效性。
小提醒:注意「prove」的過去分詞有兩種:規則的「proved」與不規則的「proven」。「proven」更常用作形容詞(a proven method),而「proved」則多用於動詞完成式(He has proved his point)。
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Prove" from YouTube Videos
Consume Information That Encourages You To Do More - Dalton Caldwell
Y Combinator
“they're doing it because it's a channel that works, and so if you're one of those people where thought leadership is an amazing way to get more customers and you can actually prove that improves your bottom line, you should definitely be doing it.”
1. to show that something is true or correct by providing evidence
證明,證實
He proved his theory with a series of experiments.
他透過一系列實驗證明了他的理論。
Can you prove that you were at home last night?
你能證明你昨晚在家嗎?
2. to show a particular quality or ability over time
展現出,證明是
She proved herself to be a reliable leader during the crisis.
在危機期間,她證明了自己是一位可靠的領導者。
The new method proved very effective.
新方法證明非常有效。
3. to test or try something to see if it works or is suitable
試驗,考驗
The athlete is eager to prove his fitness before the competition.
這位運動員渴望在比賽前證明自己的體能狀態。
We need to prove the concept before investing more money.
我們需要在投入更多資金前驗證這個概念。
4. (of dough) to rise before baking
(麵糰)發酵
Let the dough prove in a warm place for about an hour.
讓麵糰在溫暖的地方發酵大約一小時。
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| prove + (that) + clause | 證明(某事) | The data proves that our theory is correct. (數據證明我們的理論是正確的。) |
| prove + noun/pronoun | 證明(某事物或某人) | He is determined to prove his innocence. (他決心證明自己的清白。) |
| prove + noun/pronoun + (to be) + adjective/noun | 證明(某人/某物)是… | The test proved him (to be) a capable leader. (這次考驗證明他是一位有能力的領導者。) |
| prove + reflexive pronoun + (to be) + adjective/noun | 證明自己(是…) | She proved herself to be an invaluable member of the team. (她證明了自己是團隊中不可或缺的一員。) |
| prove + adjective | 結果是…;被發現是… | The new method proved effective in reducing costs. (新方法被證明能有效降低成本。) |
| prove + to be + adjective/noun | 結果是…;被證實是… | His prediction proved to be accurate. (他的預測結果是準確的。) |
| prove + oneself | 證明自己的能力/價值 | You'll have to prove yourself in the first few months. (你必須在頭幾個月證明自己的能力。) |
| prove + something + to + someone | 向某人證明某事 | I need to prove my loyalty to them. (我需要向他們證明我的忠誠。) |
prove to be 的語氣稍強,更凸顯「驗證後得出」的結果。will/would prove (to be)... 的未來或假設語氣中,to be 常被省略,使表達更簡潔。
EN: The new method proved highly effective.
翻譯: 新方法證明非常有效。EN:The quiet student proved to be the most talented writer in the class.
翻譯:那位安靜的學生結果被發現是班上最有才華的作家。
在大多數情況下兩者可互換,若想強調「經過檢驗後才顯現出的特質」或帶有輕微轉折語氣,使用 prove to be 會更為精準。
prove vs confirm
「prove」強調透過證據或邏輯推理來「證明」某事的真實性或正確性,是一個從不確定到確定的過程。而「confirm」則是對已存在或已相信的事物進行「確認」或「證實」,使其更加確定。
prove vs test
「prove」是得出最終結論的動作,表示「證明」成功或屬實。而「test」是驗證過程中的動作,表示「測試」或「檢驗」以獲取結果,但不一定代表最終證明。
prove vs demonstrate
「prove」側重於提供無可爭辯的證據來「證明」真實性,常與事實、定理相關。而「demonstrate」更側重於透過展示、表演或解釋來「示範」或「說明」如何操作或為何成立,可能包含證明,但更強調展示的過程。
在對話中,常用來引述或轉述一個需要被驗證的論點或說法。 EN: He said he could prove it, but I haven't seen any evidence yet. 翻譯: 他說他能證明,但我還沒看到任何證據。
EN:So you're trying to prove me wrong? Is that it?
翻譯:所以你是在試圖證明我錯了?是這樣嗎?
用於加強語氣,表達決心、挑戰或反駁,常與「can」、「will」或「to you」等連用。 EN: I'll prove to everyone that I deserve this promotion. 翻譯: 我會向所有人證明我值得這次升職。
EN:Can you prove it? Go ahead, I'm waiting.
翻譯:你能證明嗎?來啊,我等著呢。
在思考或組織論點時,作為暫時的停頓填充詞,後面常接更具體的說明。 EN: The data should... prove... that our approach is more effective. 翻譯: 這些數據應該…能證明…我們的方法更有效。
EN:Well, if you look at the results, it does prove—I mean, it strongly suggests—we're on the right track.
翻譯:嗯,如果你看結果,它確實證明——我是說,它強烈暗示——我們的方向是對的。
正式寫作注意:在正式或學術寫作中,應避免使用「prove」作為停頓填充詞,並確保其用法精確、邏輯嚴謹,通常伴隨具體證據或推論過程的闡述。
prove (that)
prove (that) + clause
證明(某事屬實)
prove to be
prove to be + adjective/noun
結果是;被證明是
prove oneself
prove oneself (as/to be)
證明自己的能力或價值
prove a point
prove a point
證明一個論點;證明自己是對的
prove difficult/impossible etc.
prove + adjective
結果是困難的/不可能的等
prove useful/helpful
prove useful/helpful
證明有用/有幫助
prove one's worth
prove one's worth
證明自己的價值
prove beyond (a) reasonable doubt
prove beyond (a) reasonable doubt
證明到無合理懷疑的程度(法律用語)
×I will prove you that I am right.
✓I will prove to you that I am right.
「prove」後面接指人的受詞時,通常需要介系詞「to」。正確結構為「prove (something) to someone」。
×The experiment proved that the hypothesis was correct.
✓The experiment proved the hypothesis correct.
「prove」可以接「受詞 + 受詞補語」的結構(如 prove something correct/true/wrong),這比用「prove that...」更簡潔。雖然「prove that...」在文法上正確,但學習者常忽略更地道的簡化結構。
×His advice proved being very useful.
✓His advice proved (to be) very useful.
「prove」作為連綴動詞,表示「結果是、被發現是」時,後面接形容詞、名詞或「to be + 形容詞/名詞」,不能接動名詞(being)。
×Can you prove about his whereabouts?
✓Can you prove his whereabouts?
「prove」是及物動詞,後面直接接受詞(要證明的事物),不需要介系詞「about」。
×I need to prove if the data is accurate.
✓I need to verify/check if the data is accurate. OR I need to prove that the data is accurate.
「prove」的語意是「提供證據以確定某事為真」,通常不與「if」(是否)連用,因為它預設了一個要證實的具體主張。表達「檢查是否正確」應用「verify」或「check」。若要使用「prove」,後面應接「that」引導的名詞子句。
×The document has been proved authentic.
✓The document has been proven authentic. OR The document has been proved authentic. (less common)
在美式英語中,過去分詞「proven」比「proved」更常用,尤其是在被動語態或作為形容詞時(如 a proven method)。雖然「proved」在文法上正確,但使用「proven」更為自然且常見,學習者常對此不確定。