Posthumously vs Posthumous: How Are These Words Connected?

Have you ever wondered about the difference between posthumous and posthumously? Are you unsure which one to use in certain situations? Look no further, as we will explore the meanings and proper usage of these two words.

Posthumous is an adjective that describes something that occurs or is awarded after the death of the person involved. For example, a posthumous award is given to someone who has passed away but is being recognized for their achievements. On the other hand, posthumously is an adverb that describes how something is done after the death of the person involved. For instance, a book may be published posthumously, meaning it was released after the author’s death.

While the two words are related, it’s important to use them correctly in order to convey the intended meaning. In this article, we will delve deeper into the meanings and usage of posthumous and posthumously, as well as provide examples to help clarify their proper usage.

Define Posthumously

Posthumously is an adverb that describes something that happens or is awarded after the death of the person being honored or recognized. It is commonly used to describe works of art, literature, or music that are published or released after the artist or author has passed away.

For example, if a musician records an album but dies before it is released, the album may be released posthumously. Similarly, if a writer completes a manuscript but dies before it is published, the book may be published posthumously.

Define Posthumous

Posthumous is an adjective that describes something that relates to or occurs after the death of the person being discussed. It is commonly used to describe awards, honors, or recognition that are given after the recipient has passed away.

For example, if a musician is awarded a Grammy award after they have died, the award would be considered posthumous. Similarly, if a soldier is awarded a medal after they have died in combat, the medal would be considered posthumous.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to using posthumously and posthumous in a sentence, it’s important to understand the differences between the two words. While both words are related to death, they have distinct meanings and uses.

How To Use Posthumously In A Sentence

The word posthumously is an adverb that describes something that happens after the death of the person who created it. It is often used to describe works of art, literature, or music that were published or released after the artist’s death.

For example:

• Shakespeare’s play, “The Two Noble Kinsmen,” was published posthumously in 1634.
• Prince’s album, “Piano & A Microphone 1983,” was released posthumously in 2018.
• Van Gogh’s painting, “Portrait of Dr. Gachet,” was sold posthumously for $82.5 million in 1990.

When using posthumously in a sentence, it’s important to remember that it always refers to something that happens after the artist’s death. For example:

• Emily Dickinson’s poetry was published posthumously, after her death.
• The author’s final novel was released posthumously, as he passed away before it was completed.

How To Use Posthumous In A Sentence

The word posthumous is an adjective that describes something that relates to or occurs after the death of the person who created it. It is often used to describe honors, awards, or recognition given to someone after their death.

For example:

• The musician was awarded a posthumous Grammy for his contributions to the industry.
• The actor received a posthumous Oscar nomination for his final performance.
• The soldier was awarded a posthumous medal for his bravery in battle.

When using posthumous in a sentence, it’s important to remember that it always refers to something that relates to or occurs after the artist’s death. For example:

• The artist’s posthumous exhibition was a tribute to his life and work.
• The writer’s posthumous memoir shed light on her personal struggles and triumphs.

More Examples Of Posthumously & Posthumous Used In Sentences

In order to fully understand the difference between posthumously and posthumous, it’s important to see them used in context. Here are some examples of both words used in sentences:

Examples Of Using Posthumously In A Sentence

• The author’s final book was published posthumously, after her death.
• The medal was awarded posthumously to the soldier’s family.
• The artist’s work gained popularity posthumously, long after his death.
• The movie star’s last film was released posthumously, after she passed away.
• The musician’s album was released posthumously, with previously unreleased tracks.
• The author’s unpublished manuscript was discovered and released posthumously.
• The scientist’s groundbreaking research was recognized posthumously, years after his death.
• The athlete’s record-breaking performance was acknowledged posthumously, after his passing.
• The politician’s memoir was published posthumously, revealing new insights into his life.
• The soldier’s bravery was recognized posthumously, with a medal of honor.

Examples Of Using Posthumous In A Sentence

• The artist’s posthumous exhibition featured works created before his death.
• The writer’s posthumous novel was published years after he passed away.
• The musician’s posthumous album was a compilation of his greatest hits.
• The actor’s posthumous Oscar was awarded to his family after his death.
• The composer’s posthumous symphony was performed for the first time after his passing.
• The poet’s posthumous collection of poems was published posthumously.
• The artist’s posthumous portrait was commissioned by his family after his death.
• The author’s posthumous memoir was discovered and published by his family.
• The scientist’s posthumous research was groundbreaking and still relevant today.
• The athlete’s posthumous record still stands as the fastest time in history.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the terms posthumously and posthumous, many people tend to use them interchangeably without realizing that they have different meanings. Here are some common mistakes people make and why they are incorrect:

Using Posthumously As An Adjective

One of the most common mistakes people make is using posthumously as an adjective to describe something that was done after someone’s death. For example, “the posthumously published book” or “the posthumously released album”. However, posthumously is actually an adverb, not an adjective. The correct way to use it in these cases would be to say “the book that was published posthumously” or “the album that was released posthumously”.

Confusing Posthumous With Posthumously

Another mistake people make is using posthumous when they actually mean posthumously, and vice versa. Posthumous is an adjective that describes something that occurs after someone’s death, while posthumously is an adverb that describes how something was done after someone’s death. For example, “the posthumous award” means an award that was given after someone’s death, while “the award was given posthumously” means the award was given after the person had died.

Not Checking The Dictionary

Finally, many people make the mistake of not checking the dictionary to confirm the correct usage of these terms. It’s always a good idea to double-check the definitions of words that you are unsure of to avoid making mistakes in your writing.

Tips For Avoiding These Mistakes

To avoid making these common mistakes, it’s important to remember that posthumously is an adverb, not an adjective, and that posthumous and posthumously have different meanings. Always double-check the dictionary if you are unsure of the correct usage of a word. Additionally, if you are writing about someone who has passed away, it’s important to use these terms correctly out of respect for their memory.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the words ‘posthumously’ and ‘posthumous’, context plays a critical role in determining which one to use. These two words have similar meanings, but they are used in different contexts, and their usage depends on the intended meaning of the sentence.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between ‘posthumously’ and ‘posthumous’ might change:

Context	Example	Appropriate Word Choice
Legal Documents	The will was signed posthumously.	‘Posthumously’
Biographical Works	The posthumous publication of the author’s unfinished manuscript.	‘Posthumous’
News Articles	The athlete was awarded a posthumous medal.	‘Posthumous’
Personal Communication	My friend’s father passed away, and I sent my condolences posthumously.	‘Posthumously’

As you can see from the examples above, the choice between ‘posthumously’ and ‘posthumous’ depends on the context in which they are used. In legal documents, ‘posthumously’ is the appropriate word choice since it refers to an action that occurs after a person’s death. On the other hand, ‘posthumous’ is more appropriate when referring to something that was created or published after a person’s death, such as a book or a medal.

It’s important to understand the nuances of these two words to ensure that your writing is clear and accurate. Choosing the wrong word can change the meaning of a sentence and lead to confusion for the reader.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the usage of posthumously and posthumous follows a set of rules, there are some exceptions to be aware of. Here are a few cases where the standard rules might not apply:

1. Legal Documents

In legal documents, the term posthumous is sometimes used to refer to a child born after the death of their father. This is because the child is not considered to be a legal heir until they are born. In this context, posthumous is used as an adjective to describe the child’s status.

For example:

• The deceased left behind a posthumous child who is entitled to a share of the inheritance.

2. Artistic Works

In the world of art, posthumous is often used to describe works that were completed or released after the artist’s death. This is because the artist is no longer alive to oversee the production or release of the work.

For example:

• The museum is hosting a posthumous exhibition of the artist’s work.

3. Honorary Degrees

When an honorary degree is awarded to someone who has passed away, it is often referred to as a posthumous degree. This is because the degree is being awarded after the person’s death.

For example:

• The university awarded a posthumous degree to the late professor in recognition of his contributions to the field.

It’s important to note that while these exceptions exist, they are not common uses of the terms posthumously and posthumous. In most cases, the standard rules for usage will apply.

Practice Exercises

Now that we’ve explored the nuances between posthumously and posthumous, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test. Here are some practice exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these words in sentences:

Exercise 1:

Choose the correct form of the word to fill in the blank:

1. John’s __________ novel was published last year.
2. The author was awarded a Pulitzer Prize __________.
3. After the artist’s death, his paintings were sold __________.

Answer Key:

1. posthumous
2. posthumously
3. posthumously

Exercise 2:

Write a sentence using each of the following words:

• Posthumous
• Posthumously

Answer Key:

• The author’s posthumous book was a bestseller.
• The Nobel Prize was awarded posthumously to the scientist.

These practice exercises should help you feel more confident in using posthumously and posthumous correctly in your writing. Remember, posthumously refers to something that occurs after a person’s death, while posthumous describes something that occurs after a person’s death or is awarded after a person’s death.

Conclusion

After learning about the differences between posthumously and posthumous, it is clear that these two words are not interchangeable. Posthumously refers to something that occurs after a person’s death, while posthumous refers to something that occurs after the birth of a person or animal.

It is important to use these words correctly in order to avoid confusion and ensure clear communication. By understanding the nuances of these words, writers can enhance the precision and accuracy of their writing.

Key Takeaways:

• Posthumously refers to something that occurs after a person’s death
• Posthumous refers to something that occurs after the birth of a person or animal
• Using these words correctly can enhance the precision and accuracy of writing

As with any aspect of language and grammar, there is always more to learn. By continuing to educate ourselves on these topics, we can improve our writing and communication skills.