Headlined vs Headliner: When And How Can You Use Each One?

When it comes to writing headlines, it’s important to use the right terminology. Two words that are often used interchangeably are “headlined” and “headliner.” But which one is correct? Actually, both can be correct depending on the context.

Generally speaking, “headlined” is used as a verb to describe the act of creating a headline. For example, “I headlined the article with a catchy phrase.” On the other hand, “headliner” is used as a noun to describe the main performer or act in a show or event. For instance, “The headliner for tonight’s concert is a famous rock band.”

In this article, we’ll explore the differences between these two words and discuss when to use each one. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of how to use these terms correctly in your writing.

Define Headlined

Headlined refers to the title or heading of an article, news story, or other piece of written content. It is typically the first thing that readers see and is meant to grab their attention and give them an idea of what the content is about. The headline should be concise, informative, and attention-grabbing, and it should accurately reflect the content of the article.

Define Headliner

A headliner can refer to a few different things depending on the context. In the context of a concert or other live performance, the headliner is the main act, typically the most popular or well-known performer. In the context of a news story or article, the headliner can refer to the most prominent or attention-grabbing part of the story, often the first few sentences or paragraphs. In the context of a car or other vehicle, the headliner is the fabric or material that covers the ceiling of the interior.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

As a writer, it is important to use the right words in a sentence to convey the intended meaning. In this section, we will discuss how to use the words “headlined” and “headliner” correctly.

How To Use “Headlined” In A Sentence

“Headlined” is the past tense of the verb “headline,” which means to feature or give prominence to something in a headline. Here are some examples of how to use “headlined” in a sentence:

• The newspaper article was headlined “Local Hero Saves The Day.”
• The concert was headlined by a famous rock band.
• The scandal was headlined in all the major news outlets.

It is important to note that “headlined” is used when referring to something that has already been featured in a headline.

How To Use “Headliner” In A Sentence

“Headliner” is a noun that refers to the main act or performer in a show or event. Here are some examples of how to use “headliner” in a sentence:

• The headliner for the music festival was a popular hip-hop artist.
• The comedian was the headliner at the comedy club.
• The headliner for the fashion show was a famous designer.

It is important to note that “headliner” is used when referring to the main act or performer in a show or event.

More Examples Of Headlined & Headliner Used In Sentences

In this section, we will provide you with more examples of how to use the terms “headlined” and “headliner” in sentences. These examples will help you to understand the context in which these terms are used and how they can be applied in different situations.

Examples Of Using “Headlined” In A Sentence

• The newspaper headlined the story about the new tax law.
• The magazine article was headlined with a provocative title.
• The movie premiere was headlined by a famous actor.
• The concert was headlined by a popular band.
• The political rally was headlined by a well-known speaker.
• The sports event was headlined by a championship match.
• The news program headlined the story about the natural disaster.
• The advertisement was headlined with a catchy slogan.
• The book was headlined by a glowing review from a respected critic.
• The website was headlined with a bold graphic and attention-grabbing text.

Examples Of Using “Headliner” In A Sentence

• The headliner for the comedy show was a famous comedian.
• The music festival’s headliner was a legendary rock band.
• The nightclub’s headliner was a popular DJ.
• The theater’s headliner was a Tony Award-winning actor.
• The conference’s headliner was a well-known keynote speaker.
• The fashion show’s headliner was a famous designer.
• The charity event’s headliner was a celebrity guest.
• The art exhibit’s headliner was a renowned painter.
• The restaurant’s headliner was a signature dish.
• The amusement park’s headliner was a thrilling new ride.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

It’s easy to confuse similar sounding words, such as “headlined” and “headliner,” but using them interchangeably can lead to incorrect usage and confusion. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

1. Using “Headlined” Instead Of “Headliner”

One common mistake is using “headlined” as a noun to refer to a performer or act that is the main attraction of an event. However, “headlined” is actually the past tense of the verb “to headline,” which means to be the main feature or attraction of an event. The correct noun form is “headliner.”

Incorrect: The headlined of the concert was amazing.

Correct: The headliner of the concert was amazing.

2. Using “Headliner” Instead Of “Headline”

Another mistake is using “headliner” as a verb to mean to feature or promote something prominently. However, “headline” is the correct verb form.

Incorrect: The festival headliner the new movie release.

Correct: The festival headlines the new movie release.

3. Confusing “Headlined” With “Highlighted”

Some people may confuse “headlined” with “highlighted,” which means to emphasize or draw attention to something. However, these words have different meanings and should not be used interchangeably.

Incorrect: The article headlined the importance of renewable energy.

Correct: The article highlighted the importance of renewable energy.

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

• Double-check the definitions of words before using them in your writing.
• Use a thesaurus or dictionary to find alternative words that convey the meaning you intend.
• Proofread your writing carefully to ensure that you have used the correct words in the correct context.

Context Matters

Choosing between “headlined” and “headliner” depends on the context in which they are used. While both words refer to the main attraction or feature of an event, they can have different connotations and implications depending on the context.

Examples Of Different Contexts

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

1. Music Events

In music events, the term “headliner” is commonly used to refer to the main act that is featured at the end of the show. This is the artist or band that is expected to draw the biggest crowd and receive the most attention. On the other hand, “headlined” can be used to describe the overall lineup of the event, with the headliner being just one of the acts on the bill.

2. News Articles

In news articles, “headlined” is used to describe the title or main point of the article, while “headliner” is not used at all. The headline is the attention-grabbing text that appears at the top of the article and summarizes the content in a few words. In this context, “headlined” is the more appropriate choice.

3. Comedy Shows

In comedy shows, both “headlined” and “headliner” can be used interchangeably to refer to the main comedian or comedians featured in the show. However, “headliner” may be more commonly used to describe the comedian who is closing the show, while “headlined” can refer to the overall lineup of the event.

4. Advertising and Marketing

In advertising and marketing, “headlined” is used to describe the main message or selling point of a product or service. This is the text that appears in large font at the top of an advertisement or webpage and is designed to grab the reader’s attention. “Headliner” is not typically used in this context.

Overall, the choice between “headlined” and “headliner” depends on the context in which they are used. It is important to consider the connotations and implications of each word and choose the one that best fits the intended meaning.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using headlined and headliner are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where they might not apply. These exceptions can be categorized into two main groups: grammatical exceptions and contextual exceptions.

Grammatical Exceptions

In some cases, the rules for using headlined and headliner might not apply due to grammatical considerations. For example:

• Plural Nouns: When referring to multiple headlines, it is acceptable to use “headlines” instead of “headliners.” For instance, “The headlines of today’s newspaper were shocking.”
• Adjective Usage: In certain contexts, “headlined” can be used as an adjective instead of a verb. For example, “The headlined news story was the most popular article on the website.”

Contextual Exceptions

In addition to grammatical exceptions, there are also contextual exceptions where the rules for using headlined and headliner might not apply. Some examples include:

Context	Explanation	Example
Music Events:	When referring to a musician or band who is the main act at a concert or festival, it is common to use “headliner.”	“Beyoncé was the headliner at Coachella in 2018.”
Journalism:	In journalism, “headline” is often used as a noun to refer to the title of an article or news story.	“The headline of the article read ‘Local Man Saves Cat from Tree.’
Marketing:	In marketing, “headlined” can be used as a verb to refer to the act of creating a headline for an advertisement or promotional material.	“The marketing team headlined the new product with the tagline ‘Revolutionary Technology for the Modern Age.’

It is important to note that while these exceptions exist, they are not the norm and should be used sparingly. In most cases, it is best to follow the standard rules for using headlined and headliner to ensure clear and effective communication.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have a better understanding of the differences between “headlined” and “headliner,” let’s put that knowledge into practice with some exercises. These exercises will help you improve your usage of these words in sentences.

Exercise 1

Fill in the blank with either “headlined” or “headliner” to complete the sentence correctly:

1. The concert ________ was amazing. (Hint: This refers to the main performer.)
2. The newspaper ________ read, “Local Man Wins Big in Lottery.”
3. She ________ the meeting with an announcement about the new project.
4. The movie ________ was a famous actor who had won several awards.

Answer key:

1. headliner
2. headline
3. headlined
4. headliner

Exercise 2

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence:

1. The ________ act was the highlight of the show.
2. The news ________ was about a major political scandal.
3. He ________ the meeting with a brief introduction.
4. The ________ for the concert was announced on the radio.

Answer key:

1. headliner
2. headline
3. headlined
4. headline

By practicing with these exercises, you can improve your understanding and usage of “headlined” and “headliner.” Keep in mind that “headlined” refers to the main title or heading, while “headliner” refers to the main performer or act. With practice, you can use these words confidently and accurately.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the difference between “headlined” and “headliner” is crucial for effective communication and clear writing.

Key Takeaways

• Headlined: Refers to the title or heading of a newspaper article or news story.
• Headliner: Refers to the main performer or act in a show or concert.
• Using these terms interchangeably can lead to confusion and miscommunication.
• Grammar and language use are important for conveying clear and concise messages.

By understanding the nuances of language and grammar, we can better communicate our ideas and thoughts to others. It is important to continue learning and improving our language skills in order to be effective communicators in both personal and professional settings.