Funnelled vs. Funneled — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 7, 2024
"Funnelled" and "funneled" represent different spellings of the same term, with "funnelled" being the British English variant, and "funneled" preferred in American English.
Difference Between Funnelled and Funneled
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The word "funnelled" is how British English spells the past tense of "funnel," referring to the action of directing or channeling something through a narrow space. In American English, this action is spelled "funneled," highlighting a typical difference in British and American spelling patterns, similar to "labelled" (British) vs. "labeled" (American).
Both spellings describe the process of guiding or concentrating something into a more confined area, often used metaphorically, such as funneling funds into a project. This process remains the same regardless of the spelling, with the only difference being regional preference in the use of double or single 'l'.
In written documents, the choice between "funnelled" and "funneled" might depend on the intended audience's familiarity with either British or American English. This reflects broader variations in English spelling and usage across different English-speaking countries.
The usage of "funnelled" might appear in contexts adhering to British standards, such as publications from the UK or Commonwealth countries, whereas "funneled" would be more common in American journals and texts.
Although the spelling differs, the meaning and application of "funnelled" and "funneled" are the same, emphasizing how spelling conventions can vary significantly between English dialects without affecting the underlying definitions or functions of words.
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Comparison Chart
Spelling Variant
British English
American English
Usage
Common in the UK, Australia, and other Commonwealth countries
Predominantly used in the United States
Letters
Double 'l'
Single 'l'
Examples in Usage
"The charity funnelled all donations into research."
"The company funneled its resources into the new project."
Context
Academic, professional, and casual writing adhering to British English standards
Academic, professional, and casual writing adhering to American English standards
Compare with Definitions
Funnelled
Concentrated or focused toward a particular end.
Efforts were funnelled into enhancing customer satisfaction.
Funneled
(American) Directed or channeled through a restricted area.
He funneled the water through a narrow hose.
Funnelled
(British) Directed or channeled through a restricted area.
Funds were funnelled into the development of new educational programs.
Funneled
Guided into a streamlined process.
Complaints were funneled directly to the customer service department.
Funnelled
Passed or sent through a funnel-like structure.
The ingredients were funnelled into the mixing bowl.
Funneled
Concentrated or focused toward a particular end.
The team funneled its energy into the final stages of the project.
Funnelled
Guided into a streamlined process.
Information was funnelled through several layers of management.
Funneled
Converged into a narrow pathway.
Traffic was funneled to one lane during the roadwork.
Funnelled
Converged into a narrow pathway.
The crowd was funnelled through a single exit during the drill.
Funneled
Passed or sent through a funnel-like structure.
Sand was funneled into the container for distribution.
Funnelled
A conical utensil having a small hole or narrow tube at the apex and used to channel the flow of a substance, as into a small-mouthed container.
Funneled
A conical utensil having a small hole or narrow tube at the apex and used to channel the flow of a substance, as into a small-mouthed container.
Funnelled
Something resembling this utensil in shape.
Funneled
Something resembling this utensil in shape.
Funnelled
A shaft, flue, or stack for ventilation or the passage of smoke, especially the smokestack of a ship or locomotive.
Funneled
A shaft, flue, or stack for ventilation or the passage of smoke, especially the smokestack of a ship or locomotive.
Funnelled
To take the shape of a funnel.
Funneled
To take the shape of a funnel.
Funnelled
To move through or as if through a funnel
Tourists funneling slowly through customs.
Funneled
To move through or as if through a funnel
Tourists funneling slowly through customs.
Funnelled
To cause to take the shape of a funnel.
Funneled
To cause to take the shape of a funnel.
Funnelled
To cause to move through or as if through a funnel.
Funneled
To cause to move through or as if through a funnel.
Funnelled
Simple past tense and past participle of funnel
Funneled
Simple past tense and past participle of funnel
Common Curiosities
What does 'funnelled' mean?
'Funnelled' means to direct or channel into a narrow area, using British spelling with double 'l'.
Can the use of 'funnelled' or 'funneled' affect the understanding of a text?
Not in terms of meaning, but it might affect the perceived correctness depending on the reader’s familiarity with either form of English.
How do dictionaries handle different spellings like 'funnelled' and 'funneled'?
Dictionaries usually list the primary spelling used in their region of publication and may note alternative spellings.
Does the spelling difference affect pronunciation?
No, 'funnelled' and 'funneled' are pronounced the same way.
What is the etymology of the word 'funnel'?
The word 'funnel' comes from the Old French 'founil', meaning a passage or channel.
When should I use 'funnelled' instead of 'funneled'?
Use 'funnelled' when writing for or in a context that follows British English conventions.
Are 'funnelled' and 'funneled' interchangeable?
They are interchangeable in meaning but are used according to different regional spelling standards.
Can either spelling be used in international English exams?
Yes, most international English exams accept both British and American spellings, but it's important to be consistent in usage throughout a piece of writing.
Does the context of usage affect the choice of spelling?
Yes, the choice often depends on whether the document adheres to British or American spelling conventions.
What does 'funneled' mean?
'Funneled' refers to the same process of directing or channeling, but with American spelling using a single 'l'.
Why do British and American English have different spellings for the same words?
The differences often arise from historical spelling conventions and standardizations that occurred separately in the UK and the US.
Are there other words with similar differences in British and American English?
Yes, many words have similar variations, such as 'labelled/labeled' and 'travelled/traveled'.
Is one spelling more correct than the other?
Neither spelling is more correct; appropriateness depends on the linguistic context (British vs. American English).
How can I remember which spelling to use?
Remembering the context in which you're writing (British or American) can help determine the appropriate spelling.
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Written 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.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
