Coward vs Cowardly: When To Use Each One In Writing

When it comes to describing someone who lacks bravery, the words coward and cowardly are often used interchangeably. However, there is a subtle difference between the two that is important to understand. In this article, we will explore the differences between coward and cowardly, and when it is appropriate to use each term.

It is important to note that both coward and cowardly are proper words in the English language. However, coward is the more commonly used term. Coward is a noun that refers to a person who lacks courage or is easily intimidated. On the other hand, cowardly is an adjective that describes a person or action that shows a lack of courage or bravery.

For example, if someone runs away from a fight, they could be described as a coward. If someone is too afraid to speak up for themselves, they could also be described as a coward. In both cases, coward is used as a noun to describe the person who lacks courage.

On the other hand, if someone is hesitant to take action because they are afraid, they could be described as cowardly. If someone refuses to confront a difficult situation because they are too scared, they could also be described as cowardly. In both cases, cowardly is used as an adjective to describe the action or behavior that shows a lack of courage.

It is important to use the correct term when describing someone who lacks bravery. Using cowardly as a noun, for example, would be incorrect and could cause confusion. In the rest of this article, we will explore the different contexts in which coward and cowardly are used, and provide examples of each.

Define Coward

A coward is someone who lacks courage or bravery in the face of danger or difficulty. This can manifest in various ways, such as running away from a fight, refusing to stand up for oneself or others, or avoiding challenging situations altogether.

While cowardice is often seen as a negative trait, it is important to note that everyone experiences fear and anxiety at times. It is how one responds to these emotions that determines whether they are acting cowardly or not.

Some synonyms for coward include:

• Chicken
• Yellow-belly
• Wimp
• Weakling

Define Cowardly

Cowardly is an adjective used to describe behavior or actions that demonstrate a lack of courage or bravery. This can include running away from a fight, betraying someone in order to save oneself, or refusing to take responsibility for one’s actions.

Cowardly behavior can be seen as selfish, as it prioritizes one’s own safety or comfort over the well-being of others. It can also be seen as a failure to live up to one’s own values or principles.

Some synonyms for cowardly include:

• Timid
• Fearful
• Gutless
• Spineless

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the right words in a sentence is important to convey the intended meaning. The words coward and cowardly are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings and uses in a sentence. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use these words in a sentence.

How To Use “Coward” In A Sentence

The word “coward” is a noun that refers to a person who lacks courage or is easily intimidated. Here are some examples of how to use “coward” in a sentence:

• He is a coward for not standing up for what is right.
• She called him a coward for not confronting the bully.
• The soldier was labeled a coward for deserting his post.

As you can see from the examples, “coward” is used to describe a person who lacks courage or bravery in a specific situation.

How To Use “Cowardly” In A Sentence

The word “cowardly” is an adjective that describes an action or behavior that shows a lack of courage or bravery. Here are some examples of how to use “cowardly” in a sentence:

• It was a cowardly act to steal from the elderly woman.
• He showed his cowardly nature by running away from the fight.
• The politician’s cowardly response to the crisis angered the public.

As you can see from the examples, “cowardly” is used to describe an action or behavior that shows a lack of courage or bravery. It is important to note that “cowardly” describes the action or behavior, not the person.

By understanding the difference between “coward” and “cowardly” and how to use them in a sentence, you can effectively communicate your message and avoid confusion.

More Examples Of Coward & Cowardly Used In Sentences

In order to fully understand the usage of the words “coward” and “cowardly”, it’s important to explore more examples of how they can be used in sentences. Here are some examples:

Examples Of Using “Coward” In A Sentence

• He was labeled a coward by his comrades for not standing up to the enemy.
• The politician was accused of being a coward for not taking a stand on the controversial issue.
• The coach called the player a coward for not going back into the game after getting injured.
• She felt like a coward for not speaking up when she saw the injustice happening.
• He was a coward for leaving his family behind and running away from his problems.
• The soldier was awarded a medal for bravery, while the coward was dishonorably discharged.
• She couldn’t bear the thought of being seen as a coward, so she took a risk and spoke her mind.
• He was a coward for cheating on the test instead of studying and doing the work.
• The bully was actually a coward who picked on others to make himself feel powerful.
• She refused to be labeled a coward and took a stand against the oppressive regime.

Examples Of Using “Cowardly” In A Sentence

• His cowardly behavior of hiding behind others was exposed in front of everyone.
• The company’s decision to lay off employees without notice was cowardly and unethical.
• The politician’s cowardly response to the crisis was met with widespread criticism.
• She felt disgusted by her own cowardly actions of not speaking up when she witnessed the abuse.
• The cowardly lion in “The Wizard of Oz” was actually brave in the end.
• He was accused of being cowardly for not admitting his mistake and taking responsibility.
• The cowardly driver fled the scene of the accident, leaving the injured victim behind.
• The cowardly act of bullying was not tolerated in the school and strict actions were taken.
• She was ashamed of her cowardly behavior of not standing up to her boss when he was wrong.
• The cowardly terrorist attack on innocent civilians was condemned by the world leaders.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “coward” and “cowardly,” many people tend to use them interchangeably without realizing that they have different meanings. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using “Coward” As An Adjective

One common mistake is using “coward” as an adjective to describe a person or behavior. For example, saying “he acted coward” is incorrect. “Coward” is a noun that refers to a person who lacks courage, not an adjective. Instead, you should use “cowardly” as an adjective to describe the behavior, such as “he acted in a cowardly manner.”

Using “Cowardly” To Describe A Person

Another mistake is using “cowardly” to describe a person instead of their behavior. For example, saying “he is a cowardly person” is incorrect. “Cowardly” is an adjective that describes a behavior, not a person. Instead, you should use “coward” as a noun to describe the person, such as “he is a coward.”

Confusing “Coward” And “Cowardly”

Lastly, people often confuse the meanings of “coward” and “cowardly.” “Coward” refers to a person who lacks courage, while “cowardly” refers to behavior that shows a lack of courage. It’s important to use these words correctly to avoid confusion and miscommunication.

To avoid making these mistakes in the future, here are some tips:

• Remember that “coward” is a noun and “cowardly” is an adjective
• Use “cowardly” to describe behavior and “coward” to describe a person
• Double-check your usage of these words to ensure accuracy

Context Matters

Choosing the right word to describe someone’s behavior can be tricky, especially when it comes to terms like “coward” and “cowardly.” While they may seem interchangeable, the context in which they are used can make a big difference in their meaning.

When To Use “Coward”

The word “coward” is often used to describe someone who lacks courage or bravery in a specific situation. It is typically used to refer to a person who is afraid to take risks or face challenges, even when it is necessary to do so.

• Example 1: “He refused to stand up to the bully, calling him a coward.”
• Example 2: “She was too much of a coward to tell the truth.”

In both of these examples, the word “coward” is used to describe someone who is afraid to take action or face a difficult situation. It implies a lack of bravery or courage, and can be used as an insult or criticism.

When To Use “Cowardly”

The word “cowardly,” on the other hand, is often used to describe a general disposition or behavior, rather than a specific instance of fear or lack of courage. It can be used to describe someone who consistently avoids difficult or challenging situations, or who lacks the moral courage to do what is right.

• Example 1: “His cowardly behavior in the face of danger showed his true character.”
• Example 2: “The company’s cowardly decision to cut corners led to a major safety violation.”

In these examples, the word “cowardly” is used to describe a pattern of behavior or decision-making that lacks courage or moral fortitude. It implies a weakness or lack of integrity, and can be used to criticize someone’s character or actions.

Choosing The Right Word

When deciding between “coward” and “cowardly,” it is important to consider the context in which they are being used. If you are describing a specific instance of fear or lack of courage, “coward” may be the more appropriate choice. If you are describing a pattern of behavior or decision-making that lacks courage or moral fortitude, “cowardly” may be the better choice.

Use “Coward” When:	Use “Cowardly” When:
Describing a specific instance of fear or lack of courage	Describing a pattern of behavior or decision-making that lacks courage or moral fortitude
Using an insult or criticism	Describing someone’s character or actions

By understanding the nuances of these two words, you can choose the right one to accurately convey your meaning and avoid confusion or misinterpretation.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using coward and cowardly are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to these rules that are worth noting.

When Coward Is Used As A Verb

One notable exception to the rule is when coward is used as a verb. In this case, it is acceptable to use coward as a verb to describe the act of displaying cowardice. For example:

• He cowardly backed out of the fight.
• He was accused of cowarding when he refused to go on the dangerous mission.

However, it is important to note that this usage is not common and may be considered outdated or overly formal in modern English.

When Cowardly Is Used As An Adverb

Another exception to the rule is when cowardly is used as an adverb to modify a verb. In this case, cowardly is used to describe the manner in which an action is performed. For example:

• He cowardly ran away from the battle.
• She cowardly refused to stand up for what she believed in.

It is important to note that this usage is more common than using coward as a verb, and is generally accepted in modern English.

When Coward Is Used As A Noun To Describe A Person

Finally, there are some instances when it may be acceptable to use coward as a noun to describe a person, even though it is technically incorrect. This usage is often seen in informal or colloquial speech, and may be used to describe someone who consistently displays cowardice or lacks courage. For example:

• Don’t be a coward and stand up for yourself.
• He’s a coward for not speaking up when he had the chance.

While this usage is not grammatically correct, it is a common colloquialism and is generally accepted in informal speech.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have explored the differences between coward and cowardly, it’s time to put your knowledge into practice. Below are some exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these words in sentences. Each exercise comes with an answer key or explanation to help you check your work and learn from any mistakes.

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Fill in the blank with either coward or cowardly:

1. She was too __________ to confront her boss about the issue.
2. The __________ act of bullying should never be tolerated.
3. He acted __________ when he refused to help his friend in need.
4. The __________ lion ran away from the smaller, braver dog.
5. Being __________ is not a desirable trait in a leader.

Answer Key:

1. cowardly
2. cowardly
3. cowardly
4. coward
5. cowardly

Exercise 2: Identify The Correct Word

Read the following sentences and identify whether coward or cowardly is the correct word to use:

1. The __________ act of stealing the candy bar was caught on camera.
2. He was too __________ to speak up for himself in front of the group.
3. The __________ soldier abandoned his post during the battle.
4. She was __________ afraid of spiders that she couldn’t even look at a picture of one.

Answer Key:

1. cowardly
2. cowardly
3. coward
4. so cowardly that either word could be used

Explanation for Sentence 4: Both coward and cowardly could be used in this sentence. Cowardly emphasizes the fear aspect, while coward emphasizes the lack of bravery or courage.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between “coward” and “cowardly”, it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably. While “coward” refers to a person who lacks courage and bravery, “cowardly” describes an action or behavior that is characterized by fear and timidity.

It is important to use these words correctly in order to effectively communicate and convey meaning. Using “coward” to describe an action, for example, would be inaccurate and could lead to confusion. Similarly, using “cowardly” to describe a person could be seen as insulting or offensive.

By paying attention to the nuances of language and grammar, we can become better communicators and avoid common mistakes. Continuing to learn about language and its use can help us to express ourselves more clearly and effectively.