In writing, the correct use of words is crucial for clear communication. A common mistake is the confusion between “lable” and “label.” While the terms may sound alike, only one of them is recognized as a correct spelling in the English language. It’s important for us to understand not just the correct spelling but also the implications of using one term over the other in different contexts.
Contents
Lable vs. Label: Which Is Correct?
Key Takeaways
- “Label” is the correct spelling, while “lable” is a common misspelling.
- A label is used to identify or provide information about an item.
Lable vs. Label: the Definition
What Does Lable Mean?
Lable is often typed in place of “label,” but it is important to note that lable is not recognized as a correct term in the English language. It’s a common misspelling of the word “label.”
Examples:
- Incorrect: The tag on my shirt says ‘Dry Cean Only.’ It seems they’ve misspelled “Clean.”
- Incorrect: Can you lable the folders before you file them?
What Does Label Mean?
The word label, on the other hand, is both a noun and a verb with specific definitions. As a noun, “label” refers to a piece of material, like paper or cloth, that provides information about an item. As a verb, “label” means to affix such a piece of information or to categorize someone or something.
Examples:
- Correct: Please attach the label to your luggage before checking in at the airport.
- Correct: The teacher asked us to label all our science project components clearly.
Lable vs. Label Usage and Examples
Label as a noun:
- Definition: A label is a piece of paper, fabric, or other material attached to an object to provide information about it.
- Example: We checked the label on the jar to find the expiration date.
Label as a verb:
- Definition: To label something means to assign a name or category, typically by attaching a label.
- Example: Our teacher asked us to label all our books with our names.
Misuse of “lable”:
- Incorrect usage: She carefully read the lable on the back of the dress.
- Corrected example: She carefully read the label on the back of the dress.
Here’s a quick reference table to summarize:
| Incorrect | Correct | Part of Speech | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| lable | label | Noun | Attached to products for information |
| lable | label | Verb | To assign a name or category |
Tips to Remember the Difference
- Label Has Two ‘L’s – Remember that “label” has two ‘L’s—one at the beginning and one in the middle.
- Think of ‘Table’ – “Label” rhymes with “table,” which is also spelled with an ‘el’ at the end, not ‘le’.
Lable vs. Label: Examples
Example Sentences Using Label
Example 1:
- Incorrect: Before you ship it, please lable the package with the recipient’s address.
- Correct: Before you ship it, please label the package with the recipient’s address.
Example 2:
- Incorrect: He carelessly wrote the name on the tag, leading to a misspelled lable.
- Correct: He carelessly wrote the name on the tag, leading to a misspelled label.
Example 3:
- Incorrect: The instructions requested that we lable each folder for easy identification, but the spelling confused everyone.
- Correct: The instructions requested that we label each folder for easy identification, but the spelling confused everyone.
Example 4:
- Incorrect: I noticed that the lable on the bottle was actually a typo from the manufacturer.
- Correct: I noticed that the label on the bottle was actually a typo from the manufacturer.
Example 5:
- Incorrect: Can you lable these boxes with their contents before we move to the new office?
- Correct: Can you label these boxes with their contents before we move to the new office?
Example 6:
- Incorrect: Please make sure to lable each box clearly before we move to the new office.
- Correct: Please make sure to label each box clearly before we move to the new office.
Example 7:
- Incorrect: To avoid confusion, lable each file with the client’s name and the date of the meeting.
- Correct: To avoid confusion, label each file with the client’s name and the date of the meeting.
Example 8:
- Incorrect: The lable inside the coat indicated that it was made from 100% pure wool.
- Correct: The label inside the coat indicated that it was made from 100% pure wool.
Related Confused Words
Lable vs. Sticker
Lable is a common misspelling and does not represent any word in the English language. On the other hand, a sticker is an adhesive label or decal. Here’s how we differentiate them in use:
- Incorrect: Please lable the products with price stickers.
- Correct: Please label the products with price stickers.
- Example: The children were excited to collect colorful stickers for their albums.
Label vs. Tag
While a label typically refers to a piece of paper, fabric, or other material attached to an item that provides information about it, a tag is similar but can also refer to a piece of metadata within software or a game in hide-and-seek. Here are examples to show the distinction:
- Label: The label on the bottle included the product’s ingredients and nutritional facts.
- Tag: In HTML, the
<p>tag is used to define a paragraph.
Using “label” and “tag” correctly showcases our attention to detail and helps convey our message precisely.
- Skillset or Skill Set: Which Is Correct? - March 9, 2024
- Vender or Vendor: What Is The Difference? - February 5, 2024
- Take Effect vs. Take Affect: Which Is Correct? - February 3, 2024
