Gage vs Gauge? Which One Should We Use When Writing?

If there is one thing you can count on the English language for, it is providing some confusing words. These are words with a different spelling but similar pronunciation. While you might think this is all easy, it gets more complicated when you try to determine their usage. This is why learning which to use when writing “gage” vs. “gauge” is an important question.

“Gage” means several things, including security for something, the short form of the fruit greengage, and something to challenge someone to a fight. However, its use has become obsolete in recent times. In contrast, “gauge” means a measurement device and a measurement, and it is the preferred word.

However, this is not exactly straightforward. You will find that the words can have multiple meanings, with each meaning having a different function. We bet you are intrigued. So, in this post, we will dive deeper into the details. This way, you have a thorough understanding of the words.

When to and How to Properly Use “Gage”

As expected, we will dive into when to and how to ensure you use the word “gage” properly. However, to do this, you must understand the meaning and nature of the word. This is because the meaning of the word will determine the function and how you should use it.

What Does “Gage” Mean?

The first thing you must keep in mind is that the word “gage” has multiple meanings. In fact, these meanings fall under a different part of speech and function differently in a sentence.

You will want to pay attention and note how and when the word becomes relevant for different uses. Now that we have cleared that up let us get straight to business. That is when to use “gage.”

The word “gage” first refers to something you provide as security against something you owe or must do. From the preceding, it becomes obvious that the word is best regarded as a pledge.

You can use it as collateral or payment to secure an obligation. In turn, it functions as a noun and refers to anything that assures a lender that you are good to fulfill your obligation under an agreement.

In turn, if you’re looking to convey that something is a security, you can use the word “gage” in a sentence.

Now, let us check some illustrative examples that will help you understand the usage of “gage” in this sense.

1. I would recommend that you bring an adequate gage to the event. Otherwise, you would not get admitted for participation tomorrow.
2. While he struggled with using his car as the gage for the transaction, he had no other choice as that was what they requested.

Now that we are clear with the first meaning of the word “gage,” we can move to the second meaning. The reality is that this word can also mean something – for instance, a glove – that people throw to challenge someone to a fight. You must have constantly found this idea in loads of medieval movies and stories.

Also, in this sense, the word “gage” functions as a noun. So, if you intend to show that something is an item challenging someone to a fight, then you can use the word “gage.” You can see the illustrative examples below for more clarification on using the word “gage” in this sense within a sentence.

1. The renowned fighter who had never lost a fight should drop a gage for the young and noisy fighter. We would love to see how the battle turns out.
2. It would be wise to throw up the gage now if you have no intention of embarrassing yourself. Your opponent is a beast in the ring.

Again, you will find that this is not all that “gage” can mean. It can also function in other ways with a wide variety of other meanings. One of such is as a verb. This side of the word is historic.

Precisely, historically, the word could function as a verb. In this case, it means to pledge something as security. Now, remember that we stated that “gage” means something that someone pledges as security.

Well, it can also take the verb form and depict the action of pledging itself. So, you can use the word to depict the act of staking a bet or a wager. You can see the illustrative examples below for more clarification.

1. Do you want to gage your car? I can bet that you are wrong, and the man will come first in the race tomorrow.
2. I am so certain of the results in the upcoming matches. I could even gage my house; that is how certain I am.

However, keep in mind that the use of the word “gage” as a verb is now regarded as obsolete. As such, it might not be the best option for you. Also, while the noun form and meaning are not yet obsolete, there is a belief that it will be soon.

Beyond the uses identified above, the word “gage” also has some other uses. First, it gets used to depict the fruit greengage. Precisely, it acts as the short form of the fruit. So, if you do not want to say “greengage,” you could very well say gage.

Also, it gets used as the alternative spelling of the word “gauge.” In this sense, it refers to a standard through which something gets measured. For instance, when you say his social media following is a good gage of his popularity.

However, keep in mind that while the word “gage” can also convey this meaning, it is generally preferred that you use the alternative “gauge” whether you use it as a verb or as a noun. In fact, various dictionaries specifically advise you to do so. Do not worry; we will discuss how to use the word “gauge” below.

When to and How to and How to Properly Use “Gauge”

Like we already mentioned above, “gauge” is the popular and preferred alternative of the word “gage.” However, just before we get into its usage, you must understand its meaning.

So, what does the word “gauge” means,

To define the word, you must first understand that it can function as both a noun and a verb.

Now, as a noun, it means a standard quantity, capacity, or dimension. As such, if you intend to convey something is a standard capacity or dimension, you can use the word gauge in a sentence. You can see the examples below for more insight into its usage in a sentence.

1. This appears to be a 40-gauge steel.
2. I would love to take our 15-gauge shotgun on my hunting trip next week.

It would be best to keep in mind that this is not the only meaning that “gauge” as a noun conveys. It can also mean a measurement tool. For instance, a pressure gauge, a tire gauge, a fuel gauge, and an oil gauge.

So, if you want to convey that something is a tool for measuring a particular item, you can use the word “gauge” within a sentence. Let us look at some examples for better understanding.

1. My air gauge claims that your tire pressure stands at 34 PSI.
2. You should ensure that you have your fuel gauge with you at all times. You do not want to be stranded.

Beyond this, and like we stated earlier, the word “gauge” can also work as a verb. In this case, it means to measure the dimension of something or to estimate and evaluate something. So, if you want to convey that you are evaluating something, you can use “gauge” in a sentence.

Here are some examples that will help you understand better:

1. The man claimed that he wants his daughter to become a marine biologist so she can gauge the ocean’s depth.
2. You can gauge the distance of the stars by the light they emit; of course, you need to be an astronomer.

Understanding the Difference

So far, we have explained the usage of both words. However, there is no doubt that remembering the difference is the trick to proper usage. Well, this is not always straightforward.

So, we have got it figured out for you. Here is how to remember.

When it comes to “gauge,” it is a measurement device or tool and measurement itself. As you will tell, “gauge” comes with the letter “u.” This is also the same as the word “measure.” So, the moment you want to talk about measuring anything, use the word “gauge.”

On the other hand, you will hardly need to use “gage” as it is mostly categorized as obsolete.

Final Thoughts

If you are wondering which of the words – “gage” or “gauge” – you should use when writing, then that is easy. You should use the word “gauge.” This is because “gage” is now obsolete. That’s easy now, right?

So, now when you need to use these for writing you can do so without any confusion.