Have you ever heard someone use the term blindsighted or blindsided and wondered which one is the correct word? The truth is, both words can be used in different contexts, but they have distinct meanings.
Blindsighted is a term commonly used in the world of hunting, referring to the ability of animals to detect danger without seeing it. On the other hand, blindsided is a term used to describe a situation where someone is caught off guard or surprised by something they did not expect.
In this article, we will explore the differences between these two words and how they are used in different contexts. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of when to use blindsighted and when to use blindsided.
Define Blindsighted
Blindsighted is a term that is not commonly used, but it refers to a situation where a person has partial or limited vision in one or both eyes. This condition is also known as unilateral or bilateral visual impairment.
Blindsightedness can be caused by various factors, including eye diseases, injuries, or neurological disorders. Depending on the cause and severity of the condition, individuals with blindsightedness may have difficulty with depth perception, visual acuity, and visual field.
It is important to note that blindsightedness is different from being blind, as individuals with blindsightedness still have some degree of vision, albeit limited.
Define Blindsided
Blindsided is a term that is commonly used in everyday language and refers to a situation where a person is taken by surprise or caught off guard by an unexpected event or situation.
Blindsiding can occur in various contexts, such as in personal relationships, business dealings, or sports. For example, a person may be blindsided by a breakup or divorce, a sudden change in job status, or a surprise attack during a game.
Blindsiding can have a significant impact on a person’s emotional and psychological well-being, as it can cause feelings of shock, confusion, anger, or betrayal. It is important to be aware of the potential for blindsiding in various situations and to take steps to prepare oneself for unexpected events.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
Using the right words in a sentence is crucial to convey the intended message. The words blindsighted and blindsided are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings. In this section, we will discuss how to use these words correctly in a sentence.
How To Use Blindsighted In A Sentence
The word blindsighted is not commonly used in everyday language, but it is still important to know its meaning and how to use it correctly. Blindsighted means to be unaware of something that should have been obvious or anticipated. Here are a few examples of how to use blindsighted in a sentence:
- She was blindsighted by the sudden announcement of her boss’s resignation.
- The team was blindsighted by the new rules implemented by the league.
- The company was blindsighted by the negative feedback from its customers.
As you can see from the examples above, blindsighted is used to describe a situation where someone or something was caught off guard by an unexpected event or situation.
How To Use Blindsided In A Sentence
The word blindsided is more commonly used than blindsighted, and it also means to be caught off guard by something unexpected. However, blindsided is used to describe a situation where someone was completely unaware of something that was going to happen. Here are a few examples of how to use blindsided in a sentence:
- He was blindsided by the news of his wife’s affair.
- The team was blindsided by the opponent’s unexpected play.
- The company was blindsided by the sudden drop in sales.
As you can see from the examples above, blindsided is used to describe a situation where someone was completely unaware of something that was going to happen, and the event or situation had a significant impact on them.
More Examples Of Blindsighted & Blindsided Used In Sentences
In order to gain a better understanding of the usage of the words blindsighted and blindsided, let’s take a closer look at some examples of how they can be used in sentences.
Examples Of Using Blindsighted In A Sentence
- She was blindsighted by the sudden news that she had been fired from her job.
- The company was blindsighted by the negative reaction to their new product.
- He was blindsighted by the unexpected breakup with his girlfriend.
- The politician was blindsighted by the scandal that erupted during his campaign.
- The team was blindsighted by the last-minute change in the game plan.
- She was blindsighted by the amount of work that was required for the project.
- The family was blindsighted by the news that their home had been destroyed in the hurricane.
- The actor was blindsighted by the negative reviews of his latest performance.
- The community was blindsighted by the sudden increase in crime.
- The student was blindsighted by the difficulty of the exam.
Examples Of Using Blindsided In A Sentence
- He was completely blindsided by the news of his father’s death.
- The team was blindsided by the opposing team’s new strategy.
- The company was blindsided by the sudden drop in sales.
- She was blindsided by the unexpected pregnancy.
- The politician was blindsided by the accusations of corruption.
- The family was blindsided by the news that their son had been arrested.
- The athlete was blindsided by the injury that ended his career.
- The community was blindsided by the announcement of the new highway construction.
- The investor was blindsided by the bankruptcy of the company.
- The employee was blindsided by the news of the company’s downsizing.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using blindsighted and blindsided, many people make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these two words have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably. Below are some common mistakes people make when using these two words and why they are incorrect.
Using Blindsided When You Mean Blindsighted
Blindsided and blindsighted are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings. Blindsided means to be taken by surprise, often in a negative way. On the other hand, blindsighted means to be unable to see or understand something clearly. Using blindsided when you mean blindsighted can lead to confusion and miscommunication. For example, saying “I was blindsided by the new policy” when you actually mean “I was blindsighted by the new policy” can give the impression that you were taken by surprise when in fact you just didn’t understand the policy.
Using Blindsighted When You Mean Blind
Another common mistake is using blindsighted when you actually mean blind. Blind means unable to see, while blindsighted means unable to see or understand something clearly. Using blindsighted when you mean blind can also lead to confusion and miscommunication. For example, saying “I am blindsighted” when you actually mean “I am blind” can give the impression that you are unable to understand something when in fact you are unable to see it.
Tips To Avoid These Mistakes
To avoid these common mistakes, it is important to understand the meanings of blindsighted and blindsided. Take a moment to think about what you are trying to say and choose the correct word accordingly. If you are unsure, look up the definition of the word to ensure you are using it correctly. Additionally, proofread your writing to ensure you have used the correct word.
Context Matters
When it comes to choosing between the words “blindsighted” and “blindsided,” it’s important to consider the context in which they are being used. While the two words are often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences in their meanings that can impact which one is the better choice for a given situation.
Blindsighted Vs Blindsided
At their core, both “blindsighted” and “blindsided” refer to being caught off guard or surprised by something unexpected. However, “blindsided” tends to have a more negative connotation, implying that the surprise was unpleasant or even harmful. “Blindsighted,” on the other hand, is a more neutral term that simply indicates being caught unaware.
Contextual Examples
To better understand how the choice between these two words can depend on context, consider the following examples:
Example 1: Sports
In the world of sports, both “blindsighted” and “blindsided” might be used to describe a player who is unexpectedly tackled or hit. However, if the hit is particularly brutal or causes injury, “blindsided” might be the more appropriate choice to convey the severity of the situation. Alternatively, if the hit is relatively minor or simply catches the player off guard, “blindsighted” might be a better fit.
Example 2: Business
In a business context, the choice between “blindsided” and “blindsighted” might depend on the outcome of the surprise. If a company is caught off guard by a sudden shift in the market that causes significant financial losses, “blindsided” might be the more accurate term to describe the situation. On the other hand, if a company is taken by surprise by a new opportunity that ultimately benefits them, “blindsighted” might be a more appropriate choice.
Example 3: Relationships
In personal relationships, both “blindsighted” and “blindsided” might be used to describe a partner who unexpectedly ends a relationship. However, if the breakup is particularly painful or comes as a complete shock, “blindsided” might be the more fitting term. Alternatively, if there were signs that the relationship was in trouble or the breakup was mutual, “blindsighted” might be the better choice.
Overall, the choice between “blindsighted” and “blindsided” depends on the context in which they are used. By considering the nuances of each word and the specific situation at hand, writers can choose the term that best conveys their intended meaning.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the terms blindsighted and blindsided are often used interchangeably, there are some exceptions where the rules for using them might not apply. Here are some explanations and examples for each case:
1. Medical Conditions
In some medical conditions, the use of blindsighted or blindsided might not be appropriate. For example, in cases of visual agnosia, a condition where a person cannot recognize objects or people visually, using blindsided might not make sense as the person is not able to process visual information in the first place. Similarly, in cases of hemispatial neglect, a condition where a person ignores one side of their visual field, using blindsighted might not be appropriate as the person is not aware of the visual information on that side.
2. Legal Terminology
When it comes to legal terminology, blindsided and blindsighted might have different meanings than their colloquial usage. For example, in legal terms, being blindsided might refer to a situation where a party is caught off guard by new evidence or testimony in a trial, while blindsighted might refer to a situation where a party was aware of the evidence but failed to act on it. Therefore, in legal contexts, it is important to be aware of the specific meanings of these terms and use them accordingly.
3. Regional Variations
There might be regional variations in the usage of blindsighted and blindsided. For example, in some regions, blindsighted might be used more commonly than blindsided, or vice versa. Additionally, some regions might have different connotations for these terms. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the regional context when using these terms and adjust accordingly.
While these exceptions might be rare, it is important to be aware of them to use these terms accurately and appropriately.
Practice Exercises
One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of blindsighted and blindsided is through practice. Here are some exercises to help you master these two words:
Exercise 1: Choose The Correct Word
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence:
| Sentence | Word Choice |
|---|---|
| 1. She was completely __________ when she found out she got the job. |
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| 2. The athlete was __________ by the unexpected injury. |
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| 3. The company’s sudden bankruptcy __________ the employees. |
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| 4. The magician’s trick left the audience __________. |
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| 5. The detective was __________ by the killer’s motive. |
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Answer Key:
| Sentence | Correct Word |
|---|---|
| 1. She was completely blindsided when she found out she got the job. | |
| 2. The athlete was blindsided by the unexpected injury. | |
| 3. The company’s sudden bankruptcy blindsided the employees. | |
| 4. The magician’s trick left the audience blindsided. | |
| 5. The detective was blindsided by the killer’s motive. |
Exercise 2: Use The Words In A Sentence
Write a sentence using each of the words:
- Blindsighted: The company’s sudden announcement that they were closing blindsighted the employees.
- Blindsided: The athlete was blindsided by the unexpected injury.
Explanation:
Blindsided and blindsighted are both past tense verbs that mean to surprise or shock someone. However, blindsided is used more often in everyday conversation and blindsighted is less common. Blindsided can also be used as an adjective to describe someone who is caught off guard or surprised.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the difference between blindsighted and blindsided is subtle but significant. While blindsighted is a relatively uncommon term used to describe a lack of sight due to a medical condition, blindsided is a more widely recognized term that describes being taken by surprise or caught off guard.
It is important to understand the nuances of language and grammar in order to communicate effectively and avoid misunderstandings. By expanding our vocabulary and knowledge of language use, we can become more confident and articulate in our writing and speech.
Key Takeaways:
- Blindsighted refers specifically to a medical condition that causes a lack of sight, while blindsided refers to being caught off guard or surprised.
- Understanding the differences between similar words and phrases can help avoid confusion and miscommunication.
- Continuing to learn about grammar and language use can help improve communication skills and increase confidence in writing and speech.
By taking the time to learn and practice proper grammar and language use, we can become more effective communicators and better convey our ideas and thoughts.
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.