Entitled vs Unentitled: Which One Is The Correct One?

Have you ever wondered if you should use the word entitled or unentitled in a certain situation? It can be confusing to know which one is the proper word to use, but fear not! In this article, we will explore the differences between entitled and unentitled and when to use each one.

Entitled means to have a right to something. It is often used when referring to a person who is deserving of something, such as a title or an award. On the other hand, unentitled means not having a right to something. It is often used when referring to a person who is not deserving of something, such as a privilege or a benefit.

Now that we have a better understanding of what each word means, let’s delve into when to use entitled versus unentitled.

Define Entitled

Entitled refers to the feeling or belief that one is deserving of certain privileges or special treatment. It is a mindset that one has a right to something, often without having to work for it or earn it. This sense of entitlement can be seen in individuals who believe they deserve success, recognition, or rewards simply because of who they are or what they believe.

Some common phrases associated with entitlement include:

• “I deserve this.”
• “It’s not fair if I don’t get what I want.”
• “I shouldn’t have to do that.”

Define Unentitled

Unentitled, on the other hand, refers to the absence of entitlement. It is the mindset that one must work hard and earn what they want or need, rather than simply expecting it to be given to them. Those who are unentitled understand that success and rewards come from effort and dedication, not just from being who they are.

Some common phrases associated with being unentitled include:

• “I need to work hard to achieve my goals.”
• “I don’t expect special treatment.”
• “I understand that success takes effort.”

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to using the words entitled and unentitled in a sentence, it’s important to understand their meanings and how they can be used correctly. In this section, we’ll explore the proper usage of both words to help you communicate more effectively in your writing.

How To Use Entitled In A Sentence

The word entitled is often used to describe someone who has a right to something or is deserving of a particular privilege or benefit. Here are a few examples of how you might use entitled in a sentence:

• As a citizen of this country, you are entitled to certain rights and freedoms.
• After working for the company for 10 years, she felt entitled to a raise.
• The book was entitled “The Great Gatsby.”

In each of these examples, entitled is used to convey a sense of ownership or deservingness. It’s important to note that entitled is often used in a positive context, such as when someone is deserving of a reward or recognition.

How To Use Unentitled In A Sentence

The word unentitled, on the other hand, is used to describe someone who is not deserving of a particular privilege or benefit. Here are a few examples of how you might use unentitled in a sentence:

• He was unentitled to the inheritance because he had been estranged from his family for years.
• She felt unentitled to the promotion because she had only been with the company for a few months.
• The unauthorized use of copyrighted material is unentitled and can result in legal action.

In each of these examples, unentitled is used to convey a sense of lack or absence of deservingness. It’s important to note that unentitled is often used in a negative context, such as when someone is not deserving of a particular privilege or benefit.

More Examples Of Entitled & Unentitled Used In Sentences

In this section, we will explore more examples of how the words entitled and unentitled can be used in sentences. By understanding the proper usage of these words, we can communicate more effectively and avoid misunderstandings.

Examples Of Using Entitled In A Sentence

• She felt entitled to the promotion after working at the company for five years.
• The book is entitled “The Art of War” and is a classic in the field of military strategy.
• As a citizen, you are entitled to certain rights and privileges.
• The company’s CEO is entitled to a private jet for business travel.
• He was entitled to a refund after the faulty product caused damage to his property.
• She was entitled to her opinion, but it didn’t mean she was right.
• The winning team is entitled to a trophy and bragging rights.
• Employees are entitled to a certain number of vacation days each year.
• He felt entitled to special treatment because of his wealth and status.
• Students who meet the criteria are entitled to a scholarship for college.

Examples Of Using Unentitled In A Sentence

• He was unentitled to the inheritance because he was not listed in the will.
• The company’s unethical behavior left them unentitled to the trust of their customers.
• She felt unentitled to the award because she didn’t feel she had done anything extraordinary.
• The employee was unentitled to overtime pay because he was classified as exempt.
• He was unentitled to a refund because he had exceeded the return policy’s time limit.
• The customer was unentitled to a replacement product because the damage was caused by misuse.
• She felt unentitled to the promotion because she lacked the necessary skills and experience.
• The athlete was unentitled to participate in the competition because he failed the drug test.
• They were unentitled to the discount because they did not meet the criteria.
• The company’s financial troubles left them unentitled to a bailout from the government.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using entitled and unentitled, there are some common mistakes that people make which can lead to confusion and miscommunication. Here are some of the most frequent errors to watch out for:

Using Entitled When Unentitled Is More Appropriate

One of the most common mistakes people make is using entitled when they should be using unentitled. For example, saying “I am entitled to a refund” when you actually mean “I am unentitled to a refund” can lead to misunderstandings.

The word entitled means that you have a right to something, while unentitled means that you do not have a right to something. So, if you are not entitled to a refund, you should say “I am unentitled to a refund.”

Using Unentitled When Entitled Is More Appropriate

Conversely, some people use unentitled when they should be using entitled. For example, saying “I am unentitled to my opinion” when you actually mean “I am entitled to my opinion” can make you sound unsure of yourself or lacking in confidence.

Remember, entitled means that you have a right to something, while unentitled means that you do not have a right to something. So, if you are entitled to your opinion, you should say “I am entitled to my opinion.”

Confusing Entitled With Titled

Another common mistake is confusing entitled with titled. While these words are similar in spelling, they have very different meanings. Entitled means that you have a right to something, while titled means that something has a title or name.

For example, saying “The book is entitled ‘The Great Gatsby'” is correct, while saying “The book is titled ‘The Great Gatsby'” is also correct. However, saying “I am entitled ‘Doctor'” when you mean “I am titled ‘Doctor'” is incorrect.

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

To avoid making these common mistakes, here are some tips:

• Double-check your usage of entitled and unentitled to ensure that you are using the correct word for the situation.
• If you are unsure which word to use, look up the definitions or consult a dictionary.
• Practice using these words correctly in your speech and writing to improve your mastery of them.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between “entitled” and “unentitled,” context is everything. The meaning of these two words can vary greatly depending on the situation in which they are used. In some cases, using one word over the other can completely change the tone and message of a sentence.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “entitled” and “unentitled” might change:

Context	Example Sentence	Preferred Word Choice
Legal	He believes he is entitled to half of the inheritance.	Entitled
Social	She acts entitled to everything just because she comes from a wealthy family.	Entitled
Personal	I don’t feel entitled to take time off work.	Unentitled
Professional	As a manager, I feel entitled to make decisions about my team.	Entitled

In legal contexts, “entitled” is often the preferred word choice as it carries a sense of legal right or claim. In social situations, “entitled” might be used to describe someone who acts as though they deserve special treatment. In personal situations, “unentitled” might be used to express humility or a lack of entitlement. In a professional context, “entitled” might be used to assert authority or claim a certain level of power or control.

Overall, the choice between “entitled” and “unentitled” depends on the specific context and the intended message. It’s important to consider the connotations of each word and how they might be perceived by the reader or listener.

Exceptions To The Rules

Despite the clear-cut rules for using entitled and unentitled, there are a few exceptions where these rules might not apply. Here are some explanations and examples for each case:

1. Legal Terminology

In legal terminology, entitled and unentitled might have different meanings. For instance, in property law, entitled refers to the legal ownership of a property or asset. On the other hand, unentitled might refer to someone who does not have the legal right to own or possess a property or asset.

Example:

• The plaintiff is entitled to the property as per the court order.
• The defendant is unentitled to the property as he has no legal claim to it.

2. Colloquial Usage

In colloquial usage, entitled and unentitled might be used interchangeably to convey a sense of privilege or lack thereof. In such cases, the rules for using these words might not apply strictly.

Example:

• She acted entitled when she demanded a bigger office.
• He felt unentitled to ask for a raise as a new employee.

3. Irony Or Sarcasm

Irony or sarcasm might be used to convey the opposite of what is expected or intended. In such cases, entitled and unentitled might be used in an unconventional manner.

Example:

• After being late for the meeting, he acted entitled to an apology from his colleagues.
• Despite his hard work, he felt unentitled to a promotion due to office politics.

It is important to note that these exceptions might not be applicable in formal or academic writing. It is always recommended to follow the standard rules for using entitled and unentitled in such contexts.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have discussed the differences between entitled and unentitled, it’s time to put that knowledge into practice. Below are some exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these words in sentences.

Exercise 1

Fill in the blank with either entitled or unentitled:

1. She felt ________ to a promotion after all her hard work.
2. The customer was ________ to a refund due to the faulty product.
3. He believed he was ________ to special treatment because of his status.
4. The artist’s latest work is ________ “Masterpiece.”

Answer Key:

1. entitled
2. entitled
3. unentitled
4. entitled

Exercise 2

Complete the following sentences using either entitled or unentitled:

1. The company policy clearly states that employees are ________ to two weeks of paid vacation per year.
2. The wealthy businessman believed he was ________ to skip the long line at the airport.
3. The student felt ________ to a higher grade despite not putting in the effort.
4. The book was ________ “The Great Gatsby.”

Answer Key:

1. entitled
2. entitled
3. unentitled
4. entitled

By practicing with these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of entitled and unentitled in everyday language.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between entitled and unentitled, it is clear that the two words have distinct meanings and should be used appropriately in different contexts. Entitled refers to having a right or claim to something, while unentitled means not having a right or claim to something.

It is important to use these words correctly to avoid confusion and miscommunication. Using unentitled instead of entitled can change the entire meaning of a sentence and lead to misunderstandings.

When it comes to language use and grammar, it is crucial to continue learning and expanding our knowledge. By doing so, we can improve our communication skills and avoid common mistakes that can hinder our ability to convey our thoughts and ideas effectively.

Whether it is through reading books, taking courses, or practicing on our own, there are many resources available to help us improve our language use. By continuing to learn and grow, we can become more confident and effective communicators.