Many people spell 'definite' as 'definAte' and I have also heard it pronounced this way.
As well as 'finite' there are similar words that are easy to spell e.g. 'define'. So what's the problem with 'definite'?
2007-02-13 04:49:34 · 13 answers · asked by Rozzy 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
THERE IS A FINITE AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE IN THE UNIVERSE. THE ABILITY TO SPELL IS A DEFINITE ADVANTAGE THAT IS AVAILABLE TO A FINITE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS.
THE END RESULT IS THAT FEWER PEOPLE ARE DEFINITE ABOUT THE SPELLING OF DEFINITE THAN THE FINITE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO KNOW HOW TO SPELL FINITE. I AM DEFINITE ABOUT THE ABOVE STATEMENTS WHICH ARE ONCE AGAIN PART OF THAT FINITE SUM OF KNOWLEDGE IN THE UNIVERSE.
2007-02-13 04:59:02 · answer #1 · answered by C. M. R 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Because it is how they are pronounced. Finite you can spell it out and clearly tell that it should be spelled with an I. However Definite when pronounced the I sounds kind of like an E and that is where people get into trouble. They sound it out and don't realize that there should be definitely be an I instead of an E.
Plus people aren't taught proper grammar any more and with the Internet speak and cell phone text messaging there is no need for spelling any more.
2007-02-13 13:01:01 · answer #2 · answered by minicoop_jen 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
'define' and 'finite' are two words that do not necessarily come to mind when spelling 'definite' because the pronunciation and the stress on the syllables are not the same.
And people with little education and who are poor spellers have probably never heard of 'define' or 'finite'!!
2007-02-13 18:07:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Linguistically it is a little bit complicated but here it is in a nutshell. Finite is pronounced f/ay/n/ay/t (with long vowel glides) but when you add the prefix 'de' the vowels are shortened to d/ef/i/n/i/t/e or d/ef/i/n/e/t so in the second version the final 'et' is sometimes mispronounced as eyt. Hope this helps explain it
2007-02-13 14:18:23 · answer #4 · answered by Just Me 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
people who can't spell "definite" correctly don't use the word "finite". lots of people spell words the way they sound.
2007-02-13 12:54:43 · answer #5 · answered by wendy_da_goodlil_witch 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It'll be the same people who think separate is spelt seperate; that disappear is dissapoint; necessary is neccesary...I could go on...but the spell checker here is already starting to overheat
2007-02-13 15:52:31 · answer #6 · answered by chip2001 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because people with memory problems spell Phonetically
Fine+ite
Def+in+at
ignore the assholes who say people are stupid, its an oxymoron
2007-02-13 12:54:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
because once you have to spell definitely, and look at it by syllable, it's all 'wrong'.
2007-02-13 12:57:39 · answer #8 · answered by Nicnac 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very good question..I must admit I don't know.
2007-02-13 18:31:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
cuz they r weird get over it lol
2007-02-13 12:53:48 · answer #10 · answered by xxx_my_m8_luvs_jack_ford_xxx 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋