When it comes to the English language, it is not uncommon to come across words that are spelled differently but have the same meaning. One such example is “benefitted” and “benefited.” The question arises, which one is the correct spelling? Well, the answer is both.
Benefitted and benefited are both acceptable spellings of the past tense and past participle of the verb benefit. The only difference between the two is that benefitted is more commonly used in British English, while benefited is the preferred spelling in American English.
Benefitted means to have received an advantage or gained something beneficial. On the other hand, benefited means to have been helped or assisted in some way.
Now that we have cleared up the confusion between these two spellings, let’s dive deeper into the topic and explore some common usage examples of benefitted and benefited.
Define Benefitted
Benefitted is the past tense and past participle form of the verb benefit. It means to receive an advantage, profit, or gain from something. The term benefitted is commonly used in American English.
Define Benefited
Benefited is the past tense and past participle form of the verb benefit. It means to receive an advantage, profit, or gain from something. The term benefited is commonly used in British English.
It is important to note that while both benefitted and benefited have the same meaning, their usage can vary depending on the dialect of English being spoken or written.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
Understanding the correct usage of words is essential in effective communication. The words benefitted and benefited are often used interchangeably, but they have slightly different meanings and usage. In this section, we will discuss how to use these words in a sentence.
How To Use Benefitted In A Sentence
The word benefitted is the past tense and past participle of the verb benefit. It means to receive an advantage or profit from something. Here are some examples of how to use benefitted in a sentence:
- She benefitted greatly from the new training program.
- The company’s profits have benefitted from the recent tax cuts.
- The local community has benefitted from the new park.
It’s important to note that benefitted is the preferred spelling in British English, while benefited is more commonly used in American English.
How To Use Benefited In A Sentence
The word benefited is also the past tense and past participle of the verb benefit. It has the same meaning as benefitted, but it is more commonly used in American English. Here are some examples of how to use benefited in a sentence:
- The new tax cuts have benefited the company’s profits.
- The students have greatly benefited from the new teaching methods.
- The new technology has benefited the healthcare industry.
It’s important to remember that while both benefitted and benefited are correct, it’s essential to use the appropriate spelling based on the context and the audience you are communicating with.
More Examples Of Benefitted & Benefited Used In Sentences
In order to fully understand the difference between benefitted and benefited, it’s important to see how they are used in sentences. Here are some examples:
Examples Of Using Benefitted In A Sentence:
- The new tax policy benefitted the middle class.
- She benefitted greatly from the tutoring sessions.
- The charity event benefitted the local community.
- He benefitted from the company’s profit-sharing program.
- The team’s hard work benefitted them in the end.
- The new highway project will benefitted commuters.
- Her health has greatly benefitted from the new diet.
- The scholarship benefitted many deserving students.
- The company’s investment strategy has benefitted its shareholders.
- The rain benefitted the crops, ensuring a good harvest.
Examples Of Using Benefited In A Sentence:
- The new tax policy benefited the middle class.
- She benefited greatly from the tutoring sessions.
- The charity event benefited the local community.
- He benefited from the company’s profit-sharing program.
- The team’s hard work benefited them in the end.
- The new highway project will benefit commuters.
- Her health has greatly benefited from the new diet.
- The scholarship benefited many deserving students.
- The company’s investment strategy has benefited its shareholders.
- The rain benefited the crops, ensuring a good harvest.
As you can see, both benefitted and benefited are correct spellings of the word, and they can be used interchangeably in most cases. However, it’s important to note that benefitted is more commonly used in British English, while benefited is more commonly used in American English.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using benefitted and benefited, people often make the mistake of using these words interchangeably. However, there are important differences between these two words that should not be overlooked. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Using “Benefitted” As The Past Tense Of “Benefit”
One common mistake people make is using “benefitted” as the past tense of “benefit.” While “benefit” is a verb, “benefitted” is not a correct past tense form of the word. Instead, the correct past tense of “benefit” is “benefited.”
For example, it is incorrect to say “I benefitted from the new policy.” The correct sentence would be “I benefited from the new policy.”
Using “Benefited” As An Adjective
Another mistake people make is using “benefited” as an adjective. While “benefit” can be used as a noun or a verb, “benefited” is not a correct form of the word to use as an adjective.
For example, it is incorrect to say “I am benefitted by the new policy.” The correct sentence would be “I am benefiting from the new policy.”
Offering Tips To Avoid These Mistakes
To avoid these common mistakes, it is important to remember the correct usage of “benefitted” and “benefited.” Here are some tips to help you avoid these mistakes:
- Remember that “benefit” is a verb and “benefited” is the correct past tense form of the word.
- Avoid using “benefited” as an adjective.
- Proofread your writing to ensure that you are using the correct form of the word.
By following these tips, you can avoid common mistakes and ensure that your writing is clear and professional.
Context Matters
When it comes to choosing between the words “benefitted” and “benefited,” context plays a crucial role in determining which one to use. Both words have the same meaning, but the choice between them can vary depending on the context in which they are used.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “benefitted” and “benefited” might change:
- Formal Writing: In formal writing, such as academic papers or legal documents, the word “benefited” is generally preferred. This is because it is considered the more traditional and formal spelling.
- Informal Writing: In informal writing, such as emails or text messages, either spelling can be used. However, “benefitted” is becoming more common in informal writing as it is seen as a more modern and simplified spelling.
- British vs. American English: In British English, “benefitted” is the more commonly used spelling. In American English, both spellings are accepted, but “benefited” is more commonly used.
- Verb Tense: The choice between “benefitted” and “benefited” can also depend on the verb tense being used. For example, in the past tense, “benefitted” is the correct spelling (e.g. “I benefitted from the experience”). In the present tense, “benefited” is more commonly used (e.g. “I am benefiting from the experience”).
Overall, the choice between “benefitted” and “benefited” can depend on a variety of factors, including the formality of the writing, the context in which it is being used, and the verb tense being used. It is important to consider these factors when deciding which spelling to use in order to ensure clear and effective communication.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using benefitted and benefited are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to be aware of. Here are a few instances where the standard rules may not apply:
1. British English
In British English, the word benefitted is more commonly used than benefited. This is because the British tend to add an extra syllable to words that end in a consonant before adding a suffix that begins with a vowel. For example, they would say “travelled” instead of “traveled.”
Example: She benefitted from the new training program.
2. Legal Language
In legal language, the use of benefitted versus benefited can have different meanings. In some cases, the word benefitted may imply a contractual obligation or entitlement, while benefited may simply suggest a positive outcome. It’s important to carefully consider the context when deciding which word to use.
Example: The plaintiff was entitled to be benefitted by the terms of the settlement.
3. Idiomatic Expressions
There are some idiomatic expressions where benefited is the preferred form. These expressions have become so commonly used that they are considered standard English.
| Idiomatic Expression | Preferred Form |
|---|---|
| Benefit of the doubt | Benefit |
| Benefit concert | Benefit |
| Benefit package | Benefit |
Example: The charity held a benefit concert to raise money for the cause.
By understanding these exceptions, you can ensure that you are using benefitted and benefited correctly in your writing.
Practice Exercises
To help readers improve their understanding and use of benefitted and benefited in sentences, here are some practice exercises:
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
| Sentence | Blank |
|---|---|
| The new tax laws have greatly ______ small businesses. | benefitted |
| She ______ from the extra attention she received after winning the award. | benefited |
| The company’s profits have ______ from the recent surge in sales. | benefitted |
| He ______ greatly from the advice his mentor gave him. | benefited |
Answer Key:
- The new tax laws have greatly benefitted small businesses.
- She benefited from the extra attention she received after winning the award.
- The company’s profits have benefitted from the recent surge in sales.
- He benefited greatly from the advice his mentor gave him.
Exercise 2: Rewrite The Sentence
Rewrite the following sentences, replacing the incorrect form of benefitted or benefited with the correct form:
- The scholarship benefitted me greatly, allowing me to attend college.
- My health has benefited from my daily exercise routine.
- The fundraiser benefitted the local animal shelter.
Answer Key:
- The scholarship benefited me greatly, allowing me to attend college.
- My health has benefitted from my daily exercise routine. (Note: benefited can also be used here)
- The fundraiser benefited the local animal shelter. (Note: benefitted can also be used here)
By practicing these exercises, readers can improve their understanding and use of benefitted and benefited in a variety of contexts.
Conclusion
After delving into the differences between “benefitted” and “benefited,” it is clear that both spellings are acceptable in modern English language usage. However, there are some subtle nuances to consider when choosing which spelling to use in a particular context.
Key Takeaways:
- Both “benefitted” and “benefited” are correct spellings of the past tense of “benefit.”
- “Benefitted” is more commonly used in British English, while “benefited” is more common in American English.
- When in doubt, it is safe to use “benefited” as it is widely accepted in both British and American English.
- Context and personal preference should also be taken into consideration when choosing which spelling to use.
Ultimately, the most important thing is to be consistent in your usage of either “benefitted” or “benefited” throughout your writing. By paying attention to the nuances of language use and grammar, we can all become better communicators. Keep learning and exploring the intricacies of the English language!
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.