Er vs. Err — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 27, 2024
"Er" is a suffix used to form agent nouns, while "err" is a verb meaning to make a mistake.
Difference Between Er and Err
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Er" is commonly used in English to turn verbs into nouns that describe a person or thing performing the action, such as "baker" or "writer". On the other hand, "err" is a verb that signifies making an error or mistake, illustrating its use in different grammatical functions.
In terms of pronunciation, "er" in agent nouns typically carries a clearer, more pronounced "r" sound in American English. Conversely, "err" when spoken often sounds similar to "air," especially in American English, highlighting a subtle phonetic distinction.
Usage of "er" is widespread in job titles and professional identities, reflecting an individual's occupation or role. Whereas, "err" is used in contexts related to incorrect actions or judgments, often seen in more formal or literary English.
The suffix "er" can also indicate a tool or object used for a specific function, like "blender" or "computer," focusing on utility and function. On the other hand, "err" conveys human error and fallibility, emphasizing the action of deviating from correctness.
"Er" as a suffix doesn’t change the meaning of the verb but extends it to noun form, categorizing the doer of an action. In contrast, "err" can be conjugated and used in various tense forms, reflecting its role as a full verb.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Suffix
Verb
Usage
Forms nouns from verbs
Indicates making a mistake
Pronunciation
Typically a clear "r" sound
Sounds like "air" in American English
Example in Jobs
"Teacher," "runner"
N/A
Associated With
Identity or tool function
Error or mistake
Compare with Definitions
Er
Suffix used to indicate someone or something performing a specific action.
The painter was admired for his skill.
Err
Often used in formal or philosophical contexts.
The scientist admitted to erring in his calculations.
Er
Often denotes tools or objects used for particular purposes.
She put the documents through the shredder.
Err
Used to express an accidental action.
If you err in this recipe, the dish won’t taste right.
Er
Used in informal forms to show comparative degree.
It's getting colder as winter approaches.
Err
Can indicate a deviation from moral rectitude.
He erred in betraying his own principles.
Er
Can denote someone who habitually performs an action.
He’s a dreamer, always lost in his thoughts.
Err
Sometimes used in legal or technical contexts.
The software failed to operate because it was programmed to err in certain conditions.
Er
Utilized in creating occupational titles.
As a gardener, he spends most of his day outdoors.
Err
To make a mistake or be incorrect.
To err is human, to forgive divine.
Er
Used to express hesitation or uncertainty.
Err
Be mistaken or incorrect; make a mistake
The judge had erred in ruling that the evidence was inadmissible
Er
Said when hesitating in speech.
Err
To make an error or misjudgment
I erred in turning onto the dead-end street.
Er
(informal) To utter the word "er" when hesitating in speech, found in the phrase um and er.
He ummed and erred his way through the presentation.
Err
To commit an act that is wrong; do wrong.
Er
The chemical symbol for erbium, a rare earth element. It has atomic number 68 and an atomic weight of 167.26.
Err
(Archaic) To stray.
Er
A trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; occurs with yttrium
Err
To make a mistake.
He erred in his calculations, and made many mistakes.
Er
A room in a hospital or clinic staffed and equipped to provide emergency care to persons requiring immediate medical treatment
Err
(intransitive) To sin.
Err
(archaic) to stray.
Err
To wander; to roam; to stray.
What seemeth to you, if there were to a man an hundred sheep and one of them hath erred.
Err
To deviate from the true course; to miss the thing aimed at.
Err
To miss intellectual truth; to fall into error; to mistake in judgment or opinion; to be mistaken.
The man may err in his judgment of circumstances.
Err
To deviate morally from the right way; to go astray, in a figurative sense; to do wrong; to sin.
Do they not err that devise evil?
Err
To offend, as by erring.
Err
To make a mistake or be incorrect
Err
Wander from a direct course or at random;
The child strayed from the path and her parents lost sight of her
Don't drift from the set course
Common Curiosities
Can "er" and "err" be used interchangeably?
No, "er" and "err" serve different grammatical purposes and cannot be interchanged.
How do you use "err" in a sentence?
You can use "err" to indicate a mistake, e.g., "He erred in his decision."
Is "er" used in formal language?
"Er" is used across all types of English, including formal language, primarily in nouns related to professions or tools.
What part of speech is "er" classified as?
"Er" is classified as a suffix, not a standalone word.
What does "err" mean?
"Err" is a verb meaning to make a mistake or be incorrect.
How is "err" conjugated?
"Err" can be conjugated as errs, erring, erred.
What is an example of an error often associated with "err"?
A typical error is misunderstanding its meaning or spelling it as "error."
What does "er" mean in English?
"Er" is a suffix used to form nouns that denote agents performing the action of a verb or objects used for a specific function.
What are examples of nouns formed with "er"?
Examples include "baker," "driver," and "printer."
How can you remember the difference between "er" and "err"?
Remember that "er" forms nouns (like worker), while "err" relates to making mistakes.
How does pronunciation differ between "er" and "err"?
"Er" in nouns has a clearer "r" sound, while "err" often sounds like "air" in American English.
What is a common mistake with using "err"?
A common mistake is confusing "err" with "error" or mispronouncing it as "er."
Where does "err" commonly appear?
"Err" commonly appears in more formal or literary contexts.
Is "err" a common word in everyday English?
"Err" is less common in casual conversation and more typical in formal or written English.
Can "er" form any word type other than nouns?
Typically, "er" is used to form nouns, though informally it can indicate comparative adjectives like "bigger."
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
