English spellings can be tricky and complex because multiple combinations of letters represent a certain sound, and various spelling rules have an exception. With all this puzzlement, most people end up stranded on which word to use, especially regarding “extention” and “extension.” So, what can you say about extention vs extension?
Though commonly used, “extention” is a common misspelling of the word “extension.” On the other hand, extension is a noun whose definition is a part that’s added to something to enlarge and prolong it.
Writers must be careful when writing words and choosing their spellings; a mistake like adding the letter “t” instead of “s” could create unnecessary confusion for the readers. In addition, it might dilute your content or the information you are trying to pass along since people will not take your work seriously without correct spelling and grammar. This article will discuss “extention” and “extension,” their definitions, meaning, and what to use when writing.
Definitions Of Extention And Extension
When you come across “extention” and “extension” for the first time, you will likely be confused about the right word to use. Both have the same pronunciation, “uhk·sten·shn.” While you might turn to your dictionary or the internet to get the proper spelling, that might not be enough.
Learning the definition and usage is essential, which will help you understand these words fully. That way, you will have little chance of making mistakes when writing. But first, here are the definitions.
Definitions Of Extention
It is vital to note that the word “extention,” though it seems legit and correct, is not an English word. If you have been using it or reading it somewhere, you have been writing or reading a misspelling of the word “extension.” So, it is best to start rectifying your writing or correct those making this mistake.
Wrong spelling, especially in official matters, will make people uninterested in your content. Remember that no one wants to read something full of grammatical or spelling errors. So, while you might assume that there is no big deal in using these spellings as long as the readers have understood what you are trying to say, it is time to rethink this statement and avoid using such misspellings in your context.
Definitions Of Extension
The word “extension” means a part that forms a continuation or an addition. Use it when talking about an action or process of extending something or the action or process of lengthening time, duration, and life.
More Definitions of the Word Extension
The word extension has several meanings; learning them will help you better understand the word and give you a perfect idea of how to use it. If you look keenly at all the meanings, you’ll also realize that they don’t extensively defer from each other. Here are other definitions of the word.
- An extra telephone connected to the principal line
- A part of offering a utility that is attached or added to something else
- A structure added to an existing building
- Something that protrudes or sticks out
- A false substitute for someone’s hair
How To Use Extention And Extension In Your Sentences
After learning the meaning and definitions of words, the next important thing to do is to learn their usage. Knowing how to use your words is vital as it will give you confidence when you write. It will also ensure you avoid unnecessary confusion when writing. That will assure you that your audience understands everything you write.
How To Use The Word Extention
“Extention” is not a correct English word; it is a misspelling of “extension.”
So, it would help if you don’t use this word in your writing unless you want to misspell the word “extension” intentionally. Note that some people assume it’s an alternative for extension, especially those that embrace British English, but that’s not the case.
How To Use The Word Extension
There are various ways that you can use the word “extension.” Learning these applications is vital as it will give you a clear understanding of the word, and you will know the best way to utilize it in your sentences. Here is a look at how to do that.
As a Countable Noun
Use the word “extension” as a countable noun when talking about extra rooms added to a building, a part of a telephone line with several lines coming from the main line, or extra time given to someone to do something. An extension could be to pay the money you owe, complete a project, or use a particular document.
As an Uncountable Noun
The other way you can use the word extension is as an uncountable noun. For instance, when talking about stretching the body or describing an increase of power of something.
Extention Vs Extension: What’s The Difference?
The words “extention” and “extension” have near spellings and the same pronunciation, but that does not mean they are both correct. One of the main differences between these words is that “extention” is not a correct English word, while the word “extension” is a noun that refers to a component, action, or process used to extend, enlarge, or prolong something.
Since “extention” is incorrect, you should avoid using it in your writing. On the other hand, you can use “extension” as long as you use the word correctly.
The origin of “extension” is Latin, derived from the words “ex” which means out, and “tensio” which means stretching. The word is a noun of action from the past-participle stem of the Latin word “extendere,” which is “extend” in English. The word “extension” was first used between 1350-1400.
Examples Of The Words Extention And Extension In Sentences
After learning the meaning and usage of words, you also need to learn how to use them correctly in your sentences. You can do this by reading correct sentences constructed with these words.
Since the word “extention.” is not a correct English word, the article will only give examples of the word “extension” so you don’t find yourself confused.
Here are ten example sentences with the word extension
- The new government has changed the constitution so that it can get a further extension of state control.
- James’ hands are now capable of full extension.
- The company will not complete the project on time, so the construction manager has to request an extension.
- I called the receptionist to request an extension to the manager’s phone.
- The electrician has no choice but to add an extension of 100 feet to the wire.
- The guests praised the dancers for their uncanny extensions.
- The students were not happy to hear about the extension of the term.
- We had no choice but to apply for an extension of the loan.
- The students were wondering if there was an extension on their courses at the university.
- You can reach me directly on extension 410.
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Conclusion
It can be frustrating to get stuck when writing because you need to figure out the correct spellings to use. If you are in a hurry, chatting with a client, having a deadline to meet, or just texting in a group chat, such confusion can be irritating. However, English is a complex language, and even the pros still learn something new daily. That’s the key to improving your language skills and writing with ease.
If you were confused about whether to use “extention” or “extension,” you now know from this article that the correct word to use is “extension.” Keep practicing and be keen when writing your words to avoid avoidable mistakes.
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.