Tared vs Tarred: Common Misconceptions and Accurate Usage

When it comes to the English language, there are many words that sound similar but have vastly different meanings. One such example is tared and tarred. While they may sound the same, they are actually two different words with distinct definitions.

So, which of the two is the proper word? The answer is both. Tared and tarred are both legitimate words in the English language, but they have different meanings.

Tared refers to the act of setting the weight of a measuring instrument to zero, or adjusting it to account for the weight of a container. This is commonly done in laboratory settings when measuring substances.

Tarred, on the other hand, refers to the act of coating something with tar. Tar is a thick, black, sticky substance that is commonly used for waterproofing or paving roads.

Now that we have established the definitions of tared and tarred, let’s dive deeper into each word and explore their origins, uses, and common misconceptions.

Define Tared

Tared, also spelled as “tare,” is a term used in the field of weighing and measuring. It refers to the weight of a container or packaging material that is subtracted from the gross weight of the contents to determine the net weight. Taring is the process of resetting the scale to zero after placing the container on it, so that only the weight of the contents is measured.

Define Tarred

Tarred, on the other hand, refers to a substance made from coal, wood, or petroleum that is used for various purposes such as waterproofing, paving, and preserving. It is a dark, sticky, and viscous material that has a strong odor and can be harmful to health when inhaled or ingested. Tarred surfaces are commonly seen on roads, roofs, and boats.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the correct word in a sentence is crucial to conveying a clear message. The words “tared” and “tarred” are often confused due to their similar spelling and pronunciation. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use these words in a sentence.

How To Use Tared In A Sentence

The word “tared” is the past tense of the verb “tare,” which means to determine the weight of an object without including the weight of the container it is in. Here are some examples of how to use “tared” in a sentence:

• I tared the scale before weighing the ingredients.
• The package was tared before it was shipped.
• She tared the beaker before adding the chemicals.

As you can see, “tared” is used to describe the action of determining the weight of an object without including the weight of the container it is in.

How To Use Tarred In A Sentence

The word “tarred” is the past tense of the verb “tar,” which means to cover or coat with tar. Here are some examples of how to use “tarred” in a sentence:

• The roof was tarred to prevent leaks.
• The boat was tarred to protect it from the elements.
• He tarred the driveway to make it more durable.

As you can see, “tarred” is used to describe the action of covering or coating something with tar.

By understanding the difference between “tared” and “tarred,” you can use these words correctly in your writing and avoid confusing your readers.

More Examples Of Tared & Tarred Used In Sentences

In this section, we will provide more examples of how to use tared and tarred in a sentence. This will help you to better understand the context in which these words are used and how they differ from each other.

Examples Of Using Tared In A Sentence

• The chemist tared the beaker before adding the sample.
• She tared the scale before weighing the ingredients.
• He tared the container to determine the net weight of the liquid.
• The recipe called for tared measurements to ensure accuracy.
• The lab technician tared the centrifuge before use.
• Before adding the chemicals, she tared the flask to zero.
• The baker tared the mixing bowl before adding the ingredients.
• He tared the petri dish before adding the bacteria sample.
• The pharmacist tared the pill bottle before dispensing the medication.
• The jeweler tared the scale before weighing the precious stones.

Examples Of Using Tarred In A Sentence

• The road crew tarred the newly paved surface.
• She accidentally tarred her clothes while working on the roof.
• He tarred the fence to protect it from the weather.
• The boat was tarred to protect it from water damage.
• The roof was tarred to prevent leaks.
• The driveway was tarred to improve traction.
• The deck was tarred to protect it from sun damage.
• They tarred the parking lot to fill in the potholes.
• The foundation was tarred to prevent water seepage.
• The chimney was tarred to prevent smoke leaks.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to the words tared and tarred, people often make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these two words have distinct meanings and should not be used in place of one another. Here are some common mistakes people make when using tared and tarred incorrectly:

Using Tarred Instead Of Tared

One of the most common mistakes people make is using tarred instead of tared. Tarred refers to the act of covering something with tar, while tared refers to the act of determining the weight of an object by subtracting the weight of the container it is in. For example, if you want to weigh a bag of flour, you would first weigh the empty container, or tare weight, and then subtract that weight from the weight of the container with the flour in it.

Using tarred instead of tared can lead to confusion and inaccuracies in measurements. To avoid this mistake, always use tared when referring to subtracting the weight of a container.

Using Tared Instead Of Tarred

Another common mistake people make is using tared instead of tarred. This mistake is less common than the first one, but it still happens. Tared refers to subtracting the weight of a container, while tarred refers to covering something with tar.

To avoid this mistake, always use tarred when referring to covering something with tar. If you are referring to subtracting the weight of a container, use tared.

Confusing Tared And Tara

Some people also confuse tared with tara, which is the weight of the container itself. Tara is not the same as tared, which is the weight of the empty container. To avoid confusion, always use tared when referring to subtracting the weight of a container.

Offering Tips To Avoid Mistakes

To avoid making these mistakes in the future, here are some tips:

• Double-check your spelling and usage of tared and tarred before submitting any written work.
• If you are unsure which word to use, look up the definitions to ensure you are using the correct one.
• When in doubt, use tared when referring to subtracting the weight of a container, and use tarred when referring to covering something with tar.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the words “tared” and “tarred,” context is key. Both words have similar spellings and pronunciations, but their meanings can differ depending on the context in which they are used.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between tared and tarred might change:

Context	Example Sentence	Correct Word Choice
Chemistry	“The beaker was tared before adding the substance.”	Tared
Marine Industry	“The hull was tarred to protect it from saltwater.”	Tarred
Construction	“The road was tarred to prevent cracks.”	Tarred
Measurement	“The scale needs to be tared before weighing the ingredients.”	Tared

As you can see from the examples above, the choice between tared and tarred depends on the specific context in which they are used. In chemistry, tared is the correct word choice when referring to the process of measuring the weight of a substance by subtracting the weight of the container. In the marine industry, tarred is the correct word choice when referring to the process of coating a ship’s hull with tar to protect it from saltwater. In construction, tarred is the correct word choice when referring to the process of applying tar to a road to prevent cracks. And in measurement, tared is the correct word choice when referring to the process of resetting the scale to zero before weighing ingredients.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using “tared” and “tarred” are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where these rules might not apply. Here are some examples:

1. Technical Terminology

In certain technical contexts, “tared” and “tarred” may take on different meanings or uses. For example:

Meaning/Use of “Tared”

Context	Meaning/Use of “Tarred”
Chemistry	The process of determining the weight of a container or vessel without including the weight of its contents	N/A
Navigation	To adjust a ship’s compass to account for magnetic variations	To coat a ship’s hull with tar for protection against water damage

It’s important to note that these technical uses may not be applicable in everyday usage.

2. Regional Dialects

In some regions or dialects, “tared” and “tarred” may be used interchangeably or with different meanings. For example:

• In some parts of the United States, “tarred” may be used instead of “tared” to mean “weighed”
• In certain British dialects, “tarred” may be used to mean “covered in tar” or “damaged by tar”

It’s important to be aware of these regional variations and adjust language accordingly when communicating with people from different regions.

Practice Exercises

One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of tared and tarred is through practice exercises. Here are some exercises to help you master the difference between these two words:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word (tared or tarred) to fill in the blank in the following sentences:

1. The contractor __________ the roof before applying the shingles.
2. She __________ the scale before weighing the ingredients.
3. The old fence was __________ and weathered.
4. He __________ the boat to protect it from the elements.
5. The laboratory assistant __________ the beaker before adding the chemicals.

Answer Key:

1. tarred
2. tared
3. tarred
4. tared
5. tared

Exercise 2: Sentence Writing

Write a sentence using each of the following words correctly:

• tared
• tarred
• tare

Answer Key:

• I tared the container before measuring the liquid.
• The road was recently tarred to improve its condition.
• The tare weight of the package was subtracted from the total weight to determine the net weight.

By practicing these exercises, you can gain confidence in your ability to use tared and tarred correctly in your writing and communication.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the difference between tared and tarred is significant and should not be overlooked. Tared is the correct spelling when referring to the act of determining the weight of an object by subtracting the weight of the container it is in. Tarred, on the other hand, refers to the act of covering something with tar.

It is important to pay attention to spelling and usage when it comes to language, as it can greatly impact the clarity and accuracy of communication. By taking the time to learn and understand proper grammar and language use, we can improve our writing and avoid common mistakes.

Key Takeaways

• Tared and tarred are two different words with distinct meanings.
• Tared is used to describe the process of determining the weight of an object by subtracting the weight of the container it is in.
• Tarred refers to the act of covering something with tar.
• Paying attention to spelling and language use is important for clear and accurate communication.

By continuing to learn and improve our understanding of grammar and language use, we can enhance our writing and communication skills.