Prejudice vs Prejudiced: Differences And Uses For Each One

Prejudice and prejudiced are two words that are often used interchangeably. However, there is a distinct difference between the two. Prejudice is a noun that refers to preconceived opinions or attitudes towards a particular group or individual. On the other hand, prejudiced is an adjective that describes someone who holds such opinions or attitudes.

It is important to note that while prejudice can be both positive and negative, it is often used in a negative context. Prejudice can lead to discrimination and unfair treatment of individuals or groups based on their race, gender, religion, or other characteristics.

Prejudiced, on the other hand, is always negative and implies a closed-mindedness and intolerance towards others. A prejudiced individual is someone who has already formed opinions and attitudes towards others without any evidence or reason to do so.

In this article, we will explore the differences between prejudice and prejudiced in more detail and examine some common examples of their usage.

Define Prejudice

Prejudice is a preconceived opinion or attitude towards a particular group of people, based on stereotypes or insufficient knowledge. It is a negative judgment that is not based on personal experience or facts. Prejudice can be directed towards a variety of characteristics, such as race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status.

Prejudice can manifest itself in different ways, such as discrimination, bias, or intolerance. It can lead to unfair treatment, exclusion, or marginalization of individuals or groups.

Define Prejudiced

Prejudiced is an adjective that describes someone who holds prejudiced views or attitudes towards a particular group of people. It implies that the person has a biased or unfair opinion that is not based on personal experience or facts.

Being prejudiced can lead to discriminatory behavior, such as treating someone unfairly or denying them opportunities based on their characteristics. Prejudice can also be internalized, meaning that someone can hold prejudiced views without being aware of it.

It is important to distinguish between prejudice and being prejudiced. Prejudice is a phenomenon that exists in society and can be perpetuated by individuals, whereas being prejudiced is a personal characteristic that can be changed through education, awareness, and empathy.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the correct word in a sentence can make all the difference in conveying your intended meaning. In the case of prejudice and prejudiced, it is important to understand the difference between the two and how to use them in a sentence.

How To Use “Prejudice” In A Sentence

Prejudice is a noun that refers to a preconceived opinion or attitude about a person or group, usually based on stereotypes or insufficient information. Here are some examples of how to use prejudice in a sentence:

• It is important to recognize and challenge our own prejudices.
• The study found evidence of racial prejudice in the hiring process.
• She was the victim of prejudice because of her religion.

As you can see, prejudice is typically used to describe a belief or attitude held by an individual or group.

How To Use “Prejudiced” In A Sentence

Prejudiced is an adjective that describes someone who holds a prejudice or bias against a person or group. Here are some examples of how to use prejudiced in a sentence:

• He was prejudiced against people from different cultures.
• She was accused of making a prejudiced remark about the LGBTQ+ community.
• The jury selection process was criticized for being prejudiced against minorities.

As you can see, prejudiced is typically used to describe a person or group who holds a prejudice or bias.

By understanding the difference between prejudice and prejudiced and how to use them in a sentence, you can communicate more effectively and accurately convey your intended meaning.

More Examples Of Prejudice & Prejudiced Used In Sentences

In order to better understand the usage of the words prejudice and prejudiced, let’s take a look at some examples of how they can be used in sentences.

Examples Of Using Prejudice In A Sentence

• The judge’s decision was based on his prejudice against the defendant’s race.
• She was angry at the prejudice shown towards her gender in the workplace.
• His prejudice towards people with disabilities made him unsuitable for the job.
• Prejudice against individuals with mental illness is still prevalent in society.
• The company’s policies showed a clear prejudice towards hiring younger employees.
• The politician’s speech was filled with prejudice towards immigrants.
• Her prejudice against people of different religions made her unpopular in her community.
• The teacher’s prejudice towards students from low-income families was evident in her grading practices.
• Prejudice against individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.
• The book explores the damaging effects of prejudice on society as a whole.

Examples Of Using Prejudiced In A Sentence

• The judge was accused of being prejudiced against the defendant’s race.
• She felt prejudiced against because of her gender in the workplace.
• His behavior towards people with disabilities was seen as prejudiced by his colleagues.
• The company’s hiring practices were criticized for being prejudiced towards younger employees.
• The politician’s comments were seen as prejudiced towards immigrants.
• Her actions towards people of different religions were seen as prejudiced by her community.
• The teacher’s grading practices were seen as prejudiced towards students from low-income families.
• He was accused of being prejudiced against individuals who identify as LGBTQ+.
• The article discusses how the media can be prejudiced in their portrayal of certain groups of people.
• The film highlights the damaging effects of prejudiced attitudes on individuals and society.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to the usage of prejudice and prejudiced, there are some common mistakes that people make, which can lead to confusion and miscommunication. Here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid:

1. Using Prejudice And Prejudiced Interchangeably

One of the most common mistakes people make is using prejudice and prejudiced interchangeably. Prejudice is a noun that refers to a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience. On the other hand, prejudiced is an adjective that describes someone who has a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience. These two words cannot be used interchangeably.

For example, it is incorrect to say, “He was prejudice against people of different races.” The correct sentence should be, “He was prejudiced against people of different races.”

2. Confusing Prejudice With Discrimination

Another common mistake is confusing prejudice with discrimination. Prejudice is a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience, while discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex.

For example, it is incorrect to say, “He faced prejudice when he was denied the job because of his race.” The correct sentence should be, “He faced discrimination when he was denied the job because of his race.”

3. Using Prejudice As A Verb

Prejudice is a noun and cannot be used as a verb. However, some people make the mistake of using prejudice as a verb.

For example, it is incorrect to say, “He was prejudicing the jury by his comments.” The correct sentence should be, “He was prejudicing the jury with his comments.”

Tips To Avoid Making These Mistakes

Here are some tips to avoid making these common mistakes:

• Always double-check the usage of prejudice and prejudiced before using them in your writing or speech.
• Use a thesaurus to find alternative words if you are unsure of the correct usage.
• Read widely and expose yourself to different writing styles to improve your language skills.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the words “prejudice” and “prejudiced,” context is key. The appropriate usage of these words can depend on the situation in which they are being used. Understanding the nuances of these words can help to ensure that you are using them correctly and effectively.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of different contexts in which the choice between “prejudice” and “prejudiced” might change:

Context	Example	Appropriate Word Choice
Describing a Person	“He is a ________ individual.”	Prejudiced
Describing a Belief or Attitude	“Her ________ against people of a certain race is unacceptable.”	Prejudice
Legal Context	“The jury’s decision was based on ________.”	Prejudice
Everyday Conversation	“I don’t want to be ________ against anyone.”	Prejudiced

As you can see from these examples, the choice between “prejudice” and “prejudiced” can vary depending on the context in which they are being used. In some cases, “prejudice” may be more appropriate, while in other cases “prejudiced” may be the better choice.

It’s important to note that using these words correctly can help to convey your message more effectively. Choosing the wrong word can lead to confusion or a misunderstanding of your intended meaning. By understanding the differences between “prejudice” and “prejudiced” and using them appropriately, you can ensure that your message is clear and concise.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the usage of prejudice and prejudiced may seem straightforward, there are certain exceptions to the rules that must be taken into consideration. Here are some examples:

Idiomatic Expressions

There are some idiomatic expressions where the word prejudice is used instead of prejudiced. For instance:

• Prejudice against
• Prejudice in favor of
• Prejudice towards

In these cases, prejudice is used as a noun to refer to a preconceived opinion or attitude towards something or someone. It is not used as an adjective to describe a person or group of people.

Historical Context

There are certain historical contexts where the word prejudiced may not apply. For example:

Context	Explanation
Slavery	During the time of slavery, it was common for white people to hold prejudiced attitudes towards black people. However, it is not accurate to say that black people were prejudiced towards white people as they did not hold the same systemic power and privilege.
Apartheid	Similarly, during apartheid in South Africa, it would not be accurate to say that black people were prejudiced towards white people as they were the ones who were oppressed and denied basic human rights.

Contextual Usage

There may be certain contexts where the usage of prejudice and prejudiced may vary. For example:

• In legal contexts, the word prejudice may be used to refer to a preconceived opinion that could influence a person’s judgment or decision-making.
• In social justice contexts, the word prejudiced may be used to describe systemic discrimination and oppression towards marginalized groups.

It is important to consider the context in which these words are being used to ensure that they are being used accurately and appropriately.

Practice Exercises

Now that you have a better understanding of the difference between prejudice and prejudiced, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test with some practice exercises. These exercises will help you improve your understanding and use of these words in sentences.

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Fill in the blank with either prejudice or prejudiced:

1. She was ___________ against him because of his race.
2. He was ___________ in favor of her because of her gender.
3. The judge was accused of being ___________ in the case.
4. They were ___________ towards the new employee because of his accent.

Answer Key:

1. prejudiced
2. prejudiced
3. prejudiced
4. prejudice

Exercise 2: Identify The Correct Word

Choose the correct word (prejudice or prejudiced) to complete the sentence:

1. Her ___________ against people who are different from her is evident in the way she talks about them.
2. He was ___________ against the idea from the beginning, but he eventually came around.
3. The ___________ of the jury was called into question by the defense.
4. They were ___________ towards the new employee because of his accent.

Answer Key:

1. prejudice
2. prejudiced
3. prejudice
4. prejudiced

By completing these exercises, you should have a better understanding of how to use prejudice and prejudiced in sentences. Remember, prejudice is a noun that refers to a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience, while prejudiced is an adjective that describes someone who holds such an opinion.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between prejudice and prejudiced, it is clear that these two terms are often used interchangeably, but have distinct meanings. Prejudice refers to a preconceived opinion or attitude towards a person or group, while prejudiced refers to the act of holding or expressing such an opinion or attitude.

It is important to recognize the difference between these two terms in order to better understand and communicate about issues related to bias and discrimination. By using language accurately and thoughtfully, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society.

Key Takeaways

• Prejudice and prejudiced are not interchangeable terms.
• Prejudice refers to a preconceived opinion or attitude towards a person or group.
• Prejudiced refers to the act of holding or expressing such an opinion or attitude.
• Using language accurately and thoughtfully can help promote inclusivity and equity.

Remember, language is a powerful tool and it is important to use it responsibly. By continuing to learn about grammar and language use, we can improve our communication skills and work towards a more just society.