WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - Grammar Minute: Discrete vs. Discreet (Hint: It's Not British-American Spelling)

Episode Date: February 8, 2024

Up next in our series of commonly misused words, poor discrete is finally getting justice.

Welcome to the Grammar Minute, where we're saving the English language 60 seconds at a time. I'm Lauren Smith, and today we're going to talk about the difference between discrete and discrete. I know that didn't help you out much, this being radio and all, so let's call one of these discrete double E, D-I-S-C-R-E-E-T, and the other one, discrete single-E, D-I-S-C-R-E-T-E. You might be thinking this is another one of those British-American spelling distinctions, but actually these are two completely different words. Discrete double E describes something you do on the down low. I am discreetly borrowing things from my parents' pantry when I go home to visit.

Discrete single E is referring to non-continuous quantities. People, for example, come in discrete quantities because you can't really have half a people. I've seen a book where these spellings were used interchangeably. Don't be that person, be discreet. That's your Grammar Minute. Visit Thegrammerminit.com for more tips and truth. tricks.