To want people to know the difference between discrete and discreet?

[Tworingsandamicrowave]

Have noticed it a few times recently, when 'discrete' has been used in the wrong context and it makes me cross.

Will do pigs.

Why would you need to post a link if you know the difference?
Just explain it in the OP. :)

I remember it by thinking that the Es in discrete are discrete.

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Too lazy lweji

One has one E, the other has 2 E's. What am I missing?

Thanks Splendide as I was just about to post asking if there was an easy way to remember which was which! (I still need to remember Envelopes re stationery!!).

They both have two e's coolio!

A quick and easy mnemonic to remember the difference is to see that in “discrete”, unlike “discreet”, the “e’s” are separated and the definition itself is “separate/distinct”.

www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2011/02/the-difference-between-discrete-and-discreet/

The "e"s in discrete are separate, coolio. Discrete, in fact..

Sorry x post!

I agree with you op. Can I add also the difference between rational and rationale? Have just read a report where they are used in the wrong context throughout!

The amount of people "diffusing" arguments rather than "defusing" them is staggering!

However, as long as you can remember that “rational” is an adjective and “rationale” a noun, you should be able to use them correctly

*Rational = Adjective = Used to describe something as reasonable
*Rationale = Noun = Use when justifying a decision, action or belief

proofreadmyessay.co.uk/resources/academic-blog/word-choice-rational-vs-rationale/

ThroughThickAndThin01

Have* ;)

I spend a lot of time correcting licence to license or vice versa. That's quite specific to my job though!

OP, I understand. I never correct grammar or spelling unless the poster is being a complete arse but I think it's really hard to explain to non-pedants just how grating it is seeing 'should/could of' and 'there' instead of 'their' to those of us inflicted with SPAG pedantry. It really is the nails down the blackboard for some of us.

I agree, these words are commonly confused by people on MN. However, why are you especially exercised by this solecism when there are so many to choose from?

Will do pigs. should be "Will do, pigs."

And Too lazy lweji should be "Too lazy, lweji"

If you're going to be a stickler, at least be consistent!

It's also a capital L.

I'm sure most people do know the difference but their bloody phones auto correct.

The discrete/discreet confusion grates on me too, but I think it is worth it for when it is accidentally (sort-of) correct whichever you use, like when people go into a cubicle at the swimming pool to get changed discretely.

It annoys me, but not NEARLY as much as people who use "loose" when they mean "lose". That one drives me nearly demented - the 2 words don't even fucking SOUND the same!!

The amount of people "diffusing" arguments rather than "defusing" them is staggering!

Some people do diffuse arguments, though. They spread them all over TAATs. :)

Oooooohhhh! NOW I understand the term 'discrete teaching' when used to mean distinct, specific, separate. Doh! I never understood why teaching that way was 'discreet' (thinking subtle)! I'm normally such a pedant too. Thanks OP!