The past tense of "scuba dive" is "scuba dived."
While "dive" itself has two past tense forms ("dived" and "dove"), when used as a compound verb with "scuba," only "dived" is grammatically correct and commonly accepted. Therefore, you would say someone "scuba dived" yesterday, not "scuba dove."
Here's a breakdown to explain further:
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Dive (verb): This verb refers to the action of plunging into water. Its past tense forms are "dived" and "dove."
- Example: "I dived into the pool." or "I dove into the pool."
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Scuba Dive (compound verb): This refers specifically to diving underwater using Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) equipment.
- Example: "Yesterday, I scuba dived in the coral reef."
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Why "Scuba Dove" is Incorrect (or Uncommon): While language evolves, "scuba dove" sounds awkward and is not considered standard English. The addition of "scuba" modifies the verb's meaning, and the more regular past tense form "dived" is preferred.
In summary, stick to "scuba dived" for the past tense of "scuba dive" to ensure clarity and correctness.
