Expedite vs Expedient: Which One Is The Correct One?

When it comes to the English language, there are many words that sound similar but have vastly different meanings. Two such words are expedite and expedient. While they may look and sound similar, they are not interchangeable. In this article, we will explore the differences between expedite and expedient and when to use each one.

It is important to note that expedite is the proper word to use when you want to convey the idea of making something happen more quickly. Expedite means to speed up a process or to make something happen more efficiently. On the other hand, expedient means to take advantage of a situation in a way that may not necessarily be morally right or just.

For example, if a company wants to expedite the delivery of a product, they may choose to pay for expedited shipping or to hire more staff to work on the order. This is a proper use of the word expedite. However, if a person chooses to lie on their resume in order to expediently get a job, they are using the word expedient in a negative connotation.

It is important to understand the difference between these two words in order to use them correctly in your writing and communication. Throughout the rest of this article, we will explore more examples and contexts in which each word should be used.

Expedite

Expedite is a verb that means to make something happen more quickly or efficiently. It involves taking actions or measures that speed up a process or task.

For example, a company may expedite the delivery of a product by using a faster shipping method or by prioritizing the order for processing. Similarly, a person may expedite their work by focusing on the most important tasks first or by delegating some of their responsibilities to others.

Expedient

Expedient is an adjective that describes something as being appropriate or useful for achieving a particular purpose. It implies that a particular action or decision is taken with the aim of achieving a specific outcome, even if it may not be the most ethical or ideal solution.

For example, a business may make an expedient decision to cut corners on quality control in order to save money or to meet a tight deadline. Similarly, a politician may take an expedient stance on a controversial issue in order to gain more votes or to avoid alienating a particular group of constituents.

While expedient actions may achieve short-term goals, they may not always be the best long-term solution and can sometimes have negative consequences.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to writing, using the right words is crucial to ensure that your message is conveyed accurately. Two words that are often confused with each other are “expedite” and “expedient.” While they may seem similar, they have different meanings and should be used appropriately. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use these words in a sentence.

How To Use “Expedite” In A Sentence

The word “expedite” means to speed up a process or make it happen more quickly. It is often used in a business or professional context. Here are some examples of how to use “expedite” in a sentence:

• We need to expedite the shipping process to ensure that the customer receives their order on time.
• The company hired a new team to expedite the development of their latest product.
• The manager asked the employees to expedite their work so that they could meet the deadline.

As you can see, “expedite” is used to describe the act of making something happen more quickly. It is often used in a professional context, but can also be used in everyday conversation.

How To Use “Expedient” In A Sentence

The word “expedient” means to do something that is practical or convenient, often without considering the morality or ethics of the action. It is often used in a negative context. Here are some examples of how to use “expedient” in a sentence:

• The politician made an expedient decision to gain more votes, even though it went against their beliefs.
• The company made an expedient choice to cut costs, even though it meant laying off employees.
• The student took the expedient route of cheating on their exam, even though it was against the rules.

As you can see, “expedient” is used to describe an action that is practical or convenient, but may not be ethical or moral. It is often used in a negative context and should be used with caution.

More Examples Of Expedite & Expedient Used In Sentences

In this section, we will provide more examples of how to use expedite and expedient in a sentence. These examples will help you to better understand the difference between the two words and how they can be used in different contexts.

Examples Of Using Expedite In A Sentence

• The company is looking for ways to expedite the production process.
• We need to expedite the delivery of these goods to our customers.
• The manager expedited the approval process for the new project.
• Can you expedite the processing of my application?
• The airline offers a service to expedite security checks at the airport.
• The government is working to expedite the visa application process.
• The doctor ordered tests to expedite the diagnosis of the patient’s condition.
• We need to expedite the repairs to the machinery to avoid any further delays.
• The team worked overtime to expedite the completion of the project.
• The contractor promised to expedite the construction of the new building.

Examples Of Using Expedient In A Sentence

• The decision to close the factory was expedient but unpopular.
• The politician made an expedient move to gain support from the voters.
• The company made an expedient decision to cut costs by reducing staff.
• It may be expedient to delay the project until we have more resources available.
• The manager’s decision was expedient but may have long-term consequences.
• Some people believe that lying can be expedient in certain situations.
• The company’s decision to outsource was expedient but had a negative impact on the local community.
• It is not always expedient to take the shortest route to success.
• The lawyer’s argument was expedient but lacked moral justification.
• The politician’s expedient actions were criticized by the media.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to the use of language, it is important to pay attention to the nuances of words and their meanings. One common mistake that people make is using the words “expedite” and “expedient” interchangeably. However, these two words have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably.

Using “Expedite” When “Expedient” Should Be Used

One common mistake is using “expedite” when “expedient” should be used. “Expedite” means to make a process happen more quickly, while “expedient” means something that is convenient or practical. For example, saying “It is expedite that we finish this project by tomorrow” is incorrect because “expedient” should be used instead. The correct sentence would be “It is expedient that we finish this project by tomorrow.”

Using “Expedient” When “Expedite” Should Be Used

Another common mistake is using “expedient” when “expedite” should be used. As mentioned earlier, “expedite” means to make a process happen more quickly, while “expedient” means something that is convenient or practical. For example, saying “It is important that we take expedite action” is incorrect because “expedient” should be used instead. The correct sentence would be “It is important that we take expedite action.”

Tips To Avoid Confusing “Expedite” And “Expedient”

To avoid confusing “expedite” and “expedient,” it is important to understand the meanings of each word and use them appropriately. Here are some tips:

• Take the time to look up the definitions of each word if you are unsure of their meanings.
• Read examples of each word used in context to help solidify their meanings in your mind.
• Practice using each word correctly in your own writing and speaking.

By paying attention to the nuances of language and taking the time to use words correctly, you can avoid common mistakes like using “expedite” and “expedient” interchangeably.

Context Matters

Choosing between the words expedite and expedient can depend on the context in which they are used. While both words are related to efficiency and speed, they have distinct meanings that can affect the tone and clarity of your writing.

Expedite

The word expedite is often used to describe the process of making something happen faster or more efficiently. It is commonly used in business settings to refer to the acceleration of a project or task. For example:

• The company hired a new team to expedite the completion of the project.
• The manager requested that the team expedite the shipping process.

Expedite can also be used in a broader sense to describe any action that speeds up a process or makes it more efficient. For example:

• The new software program is designed to expedite the data entry process.
• The company implemented new policies to expedite the hiring process.

Expedient

The word expedient, on the other hand, is used to describe something that is convenient or practical in a given situation. It can be used as an adjective to describe a course of action that is suitable for a particular purpose. For example:

• The decision to cancel the event was expedient given the circumstances.
• It was expedient to use the old equipment for the small project.

Expedient can also be used as a noun to describe a means to an end, or a solution that is practical but not necessarily ethical or moral. For example:

• The politician’s expedient decision to change his stance on the issue cost him credibility.
• The company’s expedient solution to cut costs resulted in layoffs.

It is important to consider the context in which you are using these words to ensure that you are conveying the intended meaning. While expedite and expedient are related, they have distinct connotations that can affect the tone and clarity of your writing.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the usage of expedite and expedient generally follows certain rules, there are some exceptions where these rules may not apply. Let’s take a look at these exceptions and explore some explanations and examples for each case.

Exceptions For Expedite

Expedite is typically used as a verb to mean “to make something happen faster or to speed up a process.” However, there are some cases where expedite can be used as an adjective or a noun.

• Adjective: In legal terms, expedite can be used as an adjective to describe a process that is fast-tracked or given priority. For example, a case may be expedited in court if it is deemed urgent.
• Noun: Expedite can also be used as a noun in the context of shipping or logistics to refer to a service that guarantees fast delivery. For instance, a company may offer an expedite service for urgent shipments.

Exceptions For Expedient

Expedient is typically used as an adjective to mean “practical or useful in achieving a particular goal.” However, there are some cases where expedient can be used as a noun.

• Noun: In philosophy, expedient can be used as a noun to refer to a means or method that is used to achieve a particular end. For example, Machiavelli’s famous work “The Prince” argues that the ends justify the means, and that expedients may be necessary to achieve political goals.

It’s important to note that while these exceptions exist, they are relatively rare and may not be commonly used in everyday language. In most cases, expedite and expedient will follow the standard rules outlined in this article.

Practice Exercises

One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of expedite and expedient is through practice. Here are some exercises to help you:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word (expedite or expedient) to fill in the blank in each sentence below:

1. It is ______________ to finish this project quickly.
2. The courier service can ______________ the delivery for an additional fee.
3. Using a calculator is ______________ for doing complex math problems.
4. The company decided to ______________ the production process to meet the deadline.
5. It is not always ______________ to take shortcuts in business.

Answer Key:

1. expedient
2. expedite
3. expedient
4. expedite
5. expedient

Exercise 2: Sentence Writing

Write a sentence using each of the words below:

Expedite	Expedient
______________________	______________________
______________________	______________________
______________________	______________________
______________________	______________________

Answer Key:

Expedite	Expedient
The manager asked the team to ______________ the report.	It was ______________ to hire a consultant for the project.
The company used a courier service to ______________ the delivery.	The CEO made an ______________ decision to cut costs.

By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of expedite and expedient in your writing and speech.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between expedite and expedient, it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably.

Key Takeaways

• Expedite means to speed up a process or action, while expedient means to do what is practical or advantageous at the time.
• Using expedient when you mean expedite can lead to confusion and miscommunication.
• It is important to understand the nuances of language and grammar to effectively communicate in both written and spoken forms.

By taking the time to learn about the differences between similar words, you can enhance your communication skills and avoid common mistakes.

Continuing Education

If you are interested in improving your grammar and language use, there are many resources available to help you. Consider taking a writing course or workshop, reading books on language and grammar, or working with a professional editor or proofreader.

Remember, effective communication is a key component of success in both personal and professional settings, so investing in your language skills can pay off in many ways.