Excited vs Excite: Which Should You Use In Writing?

Are you excited or do you excite others? Both of these words are commonly used in everyday conversation, but do you know the difference between them? Let’s explore the meanings of excited and excite.

Excited is an adjective that describes a feeling of enthusiasm or eagerness. It can also be used to describe a state of agitation or restlessness. On the other hand, excite is a verb that means to cause someone to feel excited or stimulated. It can also mean to arouse or provoke.

So, to clarify, excited is the proper word to use when describing your own feelings of enthusiasm or eagerness. Excite is the proper word to use when you are causing someone else to feel excited or stimulated.

In this article, we will dive deeper into the meanings of these words and explore how they can be used in different contexts. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of how to use these words correctly and effectively in your writing and everyday conversation.

Define Excited

Excited is an adjective that describes a state of being emotionally stimulated or aroused. It is a feeling of enthusiasm, eagerness, or anticipation that is often accompanied by physical sensations such as increased heart rate, heightened senses, and a rush of adrenaline. Excitement can be caused by a variety of factors, including positive news, thrilling experiences, or the anticipation of something new and exciting.

Define Excite

Excite is a verb that means to cause someone to feel excited or to stimulate their emotions or senses. It can also refer to causing an object or substance to become excited or energized. Excitement can be generated through a variety of means, such as through the use of stimulating language, engaging visuals, or thrilling activities. The act of exciting someone or something can lead to a range of emotions, from joy and anticipation to fear and anxiety.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the right word in a sentence can make all the difference in conveying the intended message clearly and effectively. In this section, we will explore the proper use of the words “excited” and “excite” to help you communicate your thoughts accurately.

How To Use “Excited” In A Sentence

The word “excited” is an adjective that describes a feeling of enthusiasm or eagerness towards something. It is often used to express a positive emotion, such as happiness or anticipation. Here are some examples of how to use “excited” in a sentence:

• I am excited to start my new job next week.
• The children were excited to open their Christmas presents.
• She was excited to hear the news of her promotion.

Notice how “excited” is used to describe a person’s emotional state or reaction to a situation. It is always used as an adjective and is never a verb.

How To Use “Excite” In A Sentence

The word “excite” is a verb that means to cause someone to feel excited or to stir up emotions or reactions. It is often used to describe something that generates a response or interest. Here are some examples of how to use “excite” in a sentence:

• The new movie trailer has excited fans all over the world.
• The prospect of traveling to a new country excites me.
• The music festival is sure to excite music lovers of all ages.

Notice how “excite” is used to describe an action that causes excitement or stimulates a response. It is always used as a verb and is never an adjective.

By understanding the difference between “excited” and “excite,” you can use these words correctly in your writing and speaking to convey your thoughts accurately. Remember to use “excited” to describe a person’s emotional state and “excite” to describe an action that causes excitement.

More Examples Of Excited & Excite Used In Sentences

When it comes to using the words “excited” and “excite” in sentences, there are a variety of ways to incorporate them into your writing. Here are some examples of how these words can be used:

Examples Of Using “Excited” In A Sentence

• I am so excited to go on vacation next week.
• She was excited to hear the news about her promotion.
• The children were excited to see the circus in town.
• We were all excited to try the new restaurant in town.
• He was excited to meet his favorite author at the book signing.
• She was excited to show off her new dress at the party.
• The fans were excited to see their favorite band perform live.
• He was excited to start his new job and learn new skills.
• We were excited to hear that our team had won the championship.
• She was excited to receive the award for her hard work.

Examples Of Using “Excite” In A Sentence

• The new technology is sure to excite customers.
• Her passion for art excites everyone around her.
• The suspenseful movie plot excites viewers until the very end.
• The thought of traveling to a new country excites me.
• The upcoming concert is sure to excite music fans.
• The idea of starting a new business excites entrepreneurs.
• The prospect of a promotion excites employees to work harder.
• The chance to meet a celebrity excites fans and followers.
• The possibility of winning the lottery excites many people.
• The idea of exploring a new hobby excites individuals looking for new experiences.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “excited” and “excite,” many people tend to use them interchangeably without realizing that they have different meanings. Here are some common mistakes people make and tips on how to avoid them in the future:

Mistake #1: Using “Excited” As A Verb

One common mistake is using “excited” as a verb, such as “I am excited to go to the party.” However, “excited” is actually an adjective that describes a feeling of enthusiasm or eagerness. The correct verb to use in this case would be “excite,” such as “The party excites me.”

Mistake #2: Using “Excite” In The Wrong Context

Another mistake is using “excite” in the wrong context. For example, saying “The news excited me” when referring to something negative is incorrect. “Excite” implies a positive feeling, so a more appropriate word in this case would be “disturbed” or “upset.”

Mistake #3: Overusing “Excited”

Some people tend to overuse the word “excited” to describe every positive feeling they have, which can make their writing or speech repetitive and less impactful. Instead, try to use a variety of words to convey your excitement, such as “thrilled,” “elated,” or “ecstatic.”

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

• Double-check your use of “excited” and “excite” to ensure they are being used correctly.
• Expand your vocabulary to include other words that convey excitement.
• Read and listen to examples of proper usage to help train your ear and eye for correct grammar.

By avoiding these common mistakes and expanding your vocabulary, you can communicate your excitement and enthusiasm more effectively.

Context Matters

Choosing between the words “excited” and “excite” can depend on the context in which they are used. The decision can be influenced by the subject matter, the intended audience, and the tone of the message being conveyed.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “excited” and “excite” might change:

Context	Example Sentence	Word Choice
Personal Communication	“I am so _____ to see you!”	excited
Marketing	“Our new product will _____ you!”	excite
Academic Writing	“The study’s findings _____ researchers.”	excited
News Reporting	“The event _____ the local community.”	excited

In personal communication, “excited” is typically used to express one’s own emotions. In marketing, “excite” is often used to persuade or entice a potential customer. In academic writing and news reporting, “excited” is used to describe the emotions of a group or community.

It is important to consider the context when choosing between “excited” and “excite” to ensure that the intended message is conveyed accurately and effectively.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using excited and excite are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to be aware of. These exceptions can be due to context, idiomatic expressions, or other factors.

Contextual Exceptions

One exception to the rules for using excited and excite is when they are used in a specific context that changes their meaning. For example, in the phrase “excited delirium,” excited does not mean happy or enthusiastic, but rather refers to a state of agitation and distress often associated with drug use or mental illness.

Another example of contextual exception is when the word “excite” is used in the context of physics or chemistry. In this case, it refers to the process of increasing the energy level of an atom or molecule, rather than causing someone to feel enthusiastic or stimulated.

Idiomatic Expressions

There are also some idiomatic expressions that use excited or excite in a way that does not follow the usual rules. For instance, the phrase “excited utterance” refers to a statement made under the stress of an exciting or shocking event, regardless of whether the speaker is happy or not. Similarly, the expression “excite interest” means to generate interest or curiosity, rather than to cause excitement in the emotional sense.

Other Factors

Finally, there are some cases where the rules for using excited and excite may not apply due to other factors. For example, in some dialects of English, the two words may be used interchangeably or have different connotations than in standard English. Additionally, some writers or speakers may intentionally use excited or excite in a non-standard way for artistic or rhetorical effect.

Overall, while the rules for using excited and excite are generally reliable, it is important to be aware of these exceptions to avoid confusion or miscommunication.

Practice Exercises

Now that we’ve covered the differences between “excited” and “excite,” it’s time to put that knowledge into practice. Here are some exercises to help you improve your understanding and usage of these words:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word (excited or excite) to fill in the blank in each of the following sentences:

1. The children were __________ to see the circus.
2. The rollercoaster __________ me so much that I screamed.
3. He tried to __________ his friends to come to the party.
4. The news of her promotion __________ her greatly.

Answers:

1. The children were excited to see the circus.
2. The rollercoaster excited me so much that I screamed.
3. He tried to excite his friends to come to the party.
4. The news of her promotion excited her greatly.

Exercise 2: Rewrite The Sentence

Rewrite each of the following sentences, replacing the incorrect usage of “excited” or “excite” with the correct word:

1. I am so excited to go to the concert, it’s going to be so much fun!
2. The smell of fresh baked cookies always excites me.
3. She was excited by the idea of starting her own business.
4. The thought of going on vacation excites me.

Answers:

1. I am so excited to go to the concert, it’s going to be so much fun!
2. The smell of fresh baked cookies always excites me.
3. She was excited by the idea of starting her own business.
4. The thought of going on vacation excited me.

By completing these exercises, you should have a better understanding of how to properly use “excited” and “excite” in your writing and speech.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between “excited” and “excite,” it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and uses in the English language. While “excited” refers to a feeling of enthusiasm or anticipation, “excite” is a verb that means to cause someone to feel excited or stimulated.

It is important to use these words correctly in order to effectively communicate your intended meaning. Misusing these words can lead to confusion or misinterpretation in both written and spoken communication.

As with any aspect of language use, it is important to continue learning and improving your grammar skills. By expanding your vocabulary and understanding of grammar rules, you can become a more effective communicator and writer.