Irregular verbs  Regular verbs

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rive, rives, riving, riven, rived

Synonyms: split, tear apart, rend, cleave, sunder

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Antonyms: join, unite, mend, combine, fasten

The Verb Rive – Definition, Usage, and Clarification


The verb rive is a strong, literary, and uncommon irregular verb meaning to split or tear something apart violently and forcefully. It is similar in tone and intensity to the verb 'rend.'


VERB FORMS


■ Base Form: rive
■ Past Simple: rived (or rove)
■ Past Participle: riven (or rived)
■ Present Participle/Gerund: riving


USAGE AND CONTEXT


'Rive' is not used for everyday splitting; it is a powerful verb for dramatic or violent separation.


1. Splitting Apart by Force
This is its primary literal meaning, often associated with natural forces or great strength.


■ Wood/Stone: 'The lightning strike rived the ancient oak tree in two.'
■ Historic: 'The force of the cannonball rived the ship's hull.'


2. Tearing Apart by Conflict (Figurative)
This is the most common modern use of the verb, especially its past participle 'riven.'


■ Conflict: 'It is a country riven by civil war.'
■ Disagreement: 'The political party was riven with internal disputes.'


ℹ IMPORTANT: LITERARY TONE AND COMMON USE


■ Literary and Uncommon: Like 'rend,' you would not use 'rive' in casual conversation. You 'split' logs for firewood; a nation is riven by conflict. Its use gives a text a serious, formal, or poetic quality.


■ 'Riven' as an Adjective: The past participle riven is now used more frequently as an adjective than the verb is used in other forms. When you see this word, it almost always means 'deeply divided by conflict or disagreement.'