When it comes to giving or receiving comments on something, the words “feedback” and “feedbacks” are often used interchangeably. However, there is a subtle difference between the two, and using the wrong word can change the meaning of what you’re trying to say.
We should clarify which of the two is the proper word to use. The correct term to use in most cases is “feedback.” “Feedbacks” is considered a non-standard plural form of the word, and is not commonly used in modern English.
So what does “feedback” mean? At its most basic, feedback is information given about a particular task or activity. It can be positive or negative, and is intended to help the recipient improve or continue to do well in the future. Feedback can be given in a variety of settings, from the workplace to the classroom to personal relationships.
On the other hand, “feedbacks” refers specifically to the plural form of feedback. It can be used to refer to multiple pieces of feedback given on a particular topic or project. However, as mentioned earlier, it is not commonly used in modern English and can sound awkward or incorrect in some contexts.
Now that we’ve established the difference between these two terms, let’s dive deeper into the importance of giving and receiving feedback. Feedback is an essential part of growth and improvement, whether it’s in your personal or professional life. Constructive feedback can help you identify areas where you need to improve, while positive feedback can motivate and encourage you to continue doing well.
Define Feedbacks
Feedbacks refer to the responses or reactions given by an individual or a group in response to a particular action, behavior, or performance. It is a vital communication tool in various areas, including education, business, and personal development. Feedbacks can be positive or negative, and they are often used to motivate and improve performance.
Feedbacks can be categorized into two types: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic feedbacks are the internal responses an individual has to their performance, while extrinsic feedbacks are the external responses given by others. Intrinsic feedbacks are often more effective in improving performance as they come from within the individual and are therefore more personal and meaningful.
Define Feedback
Feedback, on the other hand, refers to the information or comments given to an individual or a group about their performance, behavior, or action. Feedback is a crucial tool in personal and professional development as it helps individuals to improve their skills, knowledge, and performance.
Feedback can be given in various forms, including verbal, written, or nonverbal. Verbal feedbacks are given through spoken words, while written feedbacks are given through written words. Nonverbal feedbacks, on the other hand, are given through body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice.
Feedback can also be categorized into two types: positive and negative. Positive feedbacks are given to reinforce good behavior or performance, while negative feedbacks are given to correct or improve poor behavior or performance. Both types of feedbacks are important and should be given in a constructive and respectful manner.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
Using the correct form of a word can make a significant difference in the clarity of your writing. When it comes to the words “feedbacks” and “feedback,” it’s essential to understand their proper usage to avoid any confusion or ambiguity in your writing.
How To Use “Feedbacks” In A Sentence
The word “feedbacks” is the plural form of the noun “feedback.” It refers to multiple pieces of feedback or responses. Here are a few examples of how to use “feedbacks” correctly:
- The teacher received many feedbacks from her students about the new curriculum.
- The company analyzed the feedbacks from their customers to improve their product.
- She appreciated the feedbacks she received on her presentation from her colleagues.
It’s important to note that “feedbacks” is not a commonly used word, and you may want to consider using “feedback” instead, especially in formal writing.
How To Use “Feedback” In A Sentence
The word “feedback” is a noun that refers to information or responses given to someone about their performance or behavior. Here are a few examples of how to use “feedback” correctly:
- The manager provided constructive feedback to her team to help them improve their work.
- She appreciated the feedback she received from her boss on her presentation.
- The company used customer feedback to make improvements to their product.
It’s important to note that “feedback” is a more commonly used word and is generally preferred over “feedbacks” in most situations.
More Examples Of Feedbacks & Feedback Used In Sentences
Understanding how to properly use feedback and feedbacks in sentences is crucial for effective communication. Here are some examples of how to use these words correctly:
Examples Of Using Feedbacks In A Sentence
- The teacher gave feedbacks to each student after their presentations.
- The manager collected feedbacks from the employees about the new company policy.
- She appreciated the feedbacks from her readers on her latest blog post.
- The coach provided feedbacks to the athletes after their practice session.
- He received mixed feedbacks from his colleagues on his proposal.
- The survey collected feedbacks from customers about their experience with the product.
- The artist used feedbacks from the audience to improve his performance.
- The team leader gave feedbacks to each member after the project was completed.
- She received positive feedbacks from her supervisor on her work performance.
- The customer service representative listened to the feedbacks from the unhappy customer.
Examples Of Using Feedback In A Sentence
- The feedback from the audience was overwhelmingly positive.
- He appreciated the feedback he received from his mentor on his writing.
- The company used customer feedback to improve their product design.
- She provided feedback to her team on their progress towards the project goals.
- The feedback from the beta testers helped the developer fix the bugs.
- He received constructive feedback from his editor on his manuscript.
- The manager gave feedback to the employees on their performance during the quarter.
- The student used feedback from the teacher to improve their essay.
- She asked for feedback from her colleagues on her presentation.
- The team used feedback from the stakeholders to make changes to the project plan.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to giving and receiving feedback, it’s important to use the correct terminology. Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of using “feedbacks” and “feedback” interchangeably, which can lead to confusion and miscommunication. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Using “Feedbacks” Instead Of “Feedback”
The word “feedback” is already plural, so there’s no need to add an “s” to the end of it. Using “feedbacks” can make you sound unprofessional and uninformed. Instead, stick with “feedback” whether you’re talking about one piece of feedback or many.
Confusing “Feedback” With “Criticism”
Feedback is meant to be constructive and helpful, while criticism is often negative and unproductive. Using “feedback” instead of “criticism” can help ensure that your message comes across as intended. Remember to focus on specific behaviors or actions that can be improved, rather than attacking the person themselves.
Not Being Specific Enough
When giving feedback, it’s important to be as specific as possible. Vague or general feedback can be confusing and unhelpful. Instead, focus on specific behaviors or actions that can be improved, and provide concrete examples to illustrate your point. This will help the recipient understand exactly what they need to do differently.
Not Listening To Feedback
Receiving feedback can be difficult, especially if it’s negative. However, it’s important to remember that feedback is meant to be helpful, and ignoring it can hinder your growth and development. Instead of getting defensive or dismissive, take the time to listen to the feedback and consider how you can use it to improve.
Tips For Avoiding These Mistakes
- Use “feedback” instead of “feedbacks”
- Focus on constructive feedback, rather than criticism
- Be as specific as possible when giving feedback
- Take the time to listen to feedback and consider how you can use it to improve
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure that your feedback is clear, helpful, and productive. Remember, feedback is an essential tool for growth and development, so it’s important to use it correctly.
Context Matters
Choosing between the words “feedbacks” and “feedback” can depend on the context in which they are being used. While they are both related to providing information on performance or behavior, the nuances of their meanings can change depending on the situation.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “feedbacks” and “feedback” might change:
| Context | Choice of Word | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Writing | Feedback | In academic writing, “feedback” is the more commonly used term to refer to comments or suggestions given on a paper or project. |
| Environmental Science | Feedbacks | In environmental science, “feedbacks” refers to natural systems that respond to changes in the environment, such as the feedback loop between carbon dioxide levels and global temperatures. |
| Customer Service | Feedback | In customer service, “feedback” is used to refer to comments or suggestions given by customers on the quality of service or products. |
These examples show that the choice between “feedbacks” and “feedback” can depend on the specific field or industry in which they are being used, as well as the intended meaning of the word. It is important to consider the context when deciding which word to use to ensure clear and effective communication.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using “feedbacks” and “feedback” are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where they may not apply. Here are a few examples:
When Referring To Multiple Types Of Feedback
In some cases, it may be appropriate to use both “feedbacks” and “feedback” when referring to multiple types of feedback. For example, if you are analyzing data from customer surveys and employee evaluations, you might say:
- “We received a lot of valuable feedback from our customers and employees.”
In this case, “feedback” is used as a general term to encompass all types of feedback, while “feedbacks” is used to specifically refer to the feedback received from customers and employees.
When Using British English
It’s worth noting that the use of “feedbacks” is more common in British English than American English. In British English, “feedbacks” is often used to refer to multiple instances of feedback. For example:
- “The teacher gave me some helpful feedbacks on my essay.”
In American English, however, it would be more common to say:
- “The teacher gave me some helpful feedback on my essay.”
When Using Technical Terminology
In some technical fields, such as engineering or environmental science, “feedbacks” may be used to refer to specific types of feedback. For example, in environmental science, “feedbacks” might refer to the interactions between different components of an ecosystem that can amplify or dampen the effects of environmental changes.
It’s important to note, however, that this usage is specific to technical jargon and may not apply in other contexts.
Practice Exercises
Learning how to differentiate between the use of “feedbacks” and “feedback” can be challenging, but with practice, it can become easier. Here are some exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these terms:
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
Fill in the blank with either “feedback” or “feedbacks” to complete the sentence correctly:
- The teacher gave me some __________ on my essay.
- I received several __________ from my colleagues on my presentation.
- Please provide me with your __________ on this proposal.
- The manager gave me some __________ on my performance.
- I appreciate your __________ on my artwork.
Answer Key:
- The teacher gave me some feedback on my essay.
- I received several feedbacks from my colleagues on my presentation.
- Please provide me with your feedback on this proposal.
- The manager gave me some feedback on my performance.
- I appreciate your feedback on my artwork.
Exercise 2: Identify The Correct Usage
Identify the correct usage of “feedback” or “feedbacks” in the following sentences:
- The coach gave me some great __________ on my tennis serve.
- I received several __________ from the customers about the new product.
- Please provide me with your __________ on the new website design.
- The committee members gave me some valuable __________ on my research proposal.
- I appreciate your __________ on my cooking skills.
Answer Key:
- The coach gave me some great feedback on my tennis serve.
- I received several feedbacks from the customers about the new product.
- Please provide me with your feedback on the new website design.
- The committee members gave me some valuable feedback on my research proposal.
- I appreciate your feedback on my cooking skills.
By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of “feedbacks” and “feedback” in sentences.
Conclusion
After exploring the differences between feedbacks and feedback, it is clear that the two terms have distinct meanings and should be used appropriately in different contexts.
Key Takeaways
- Feedback is an uncountable noun that refers to information or opinions about something.
- Feedbacks is a countable noun that refers to specific instances of feedback.
- Using feedbacks instead of feedback can lead to confusion and incorrect usage.
- Proper grammar and language use are important for effective communication.
By understanding the nuances of language use, we can avoid misunderstandings and convey our ideas more clearly. It is important to continue learning about grammar and language use to improve our communication skills and succeed in our personal and professional lives.
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.