In today’s connected culture, few words are as relevant to daily life as online. A connection to the Internet has become one of the easiest ways to do many basic tasks, like shopping, studying, and even finding a job.
Like so many words, though, there is more than one way to spell this one. Online is often spelled as on-line. Is either spelling better than the other? Can they be used as different parts of speech? Continue reading to learn more.
What is the Difference Between Online and On-Line?
In this post, I will compare on-line vs online. I will use each of these words in at least one example sentence, so you can see them in context.
Plus, I will show you a helpful memory tool that will allow you to choose on-line or online in your own writing.
When to Use On-line
What does on-line mean? On-line can be an adjective or an adverb. In both usages, it refers to the state of being connected to a network.
Here are a few examples of the word’s use as an adjective,
- Jim uploaded his photos to an on-line photo editor because his Photoshop license had expired.
- Many people find on-line dictionaries more convenient than their associated print editions.
On-line’s usage as an adverb is very similar, except that adverbs modify verbs instead of nouns.
For example,
- You can message people on-line to find out if they want to go on dates with you.
- Everyone should take precautions to browse safely when they go on-line.
On-line is the older variation of these two words that is quickly falling out of common use. It’s quite difficult to find a use of it in popular newspaper or journals.
When to Use Online
What does online mean? Online is the now-standard spelling of the word. It’s slightly newer, although both versions originated in the late 20th century with the advent of widespread personal computing.
- Nintendo’s history with online services on its game consoles is, to put it nicely, quite poor. –Business Insider
On-line was originally more popular, but online has since surpassed it in total usage. The chart below, which graphs online vs. on-line over time, illustrates this trend.
This chart isn’t completely exhaustive—it only looks at books published in English since 1800, but it is still good for illustrating a long-term usage trend. If it included magazine and newspapers, the difference between the two spellings might even be larger—since books are often the slowest mediums to adopt new language standards and conventions.
Both online and on-line are compounds. On-line is a hyphenated compound, while online is a closed compound. Compound words are words made up of two or more individual words lumped together. Even though these particular compounds are adjectives and adverbs, compounds can be any part of speech, including nouns and verbs.
Trick to Remember the Difference
Both on-line and online are correct versions of this term. Today, online is used much more often, so unless an editor or supervisor specifically instructs you to use the hyphenated version, online is the better choice. Using on-line will cause you writing to appear dated, and might make a reader or two smirk as if you are technologically inept.
Since online basically means connected, you can remember that online is the better version. The words on and line are directly connected in this compound, just like devices and the network when they are online.
Summary
Is it online or on-line? Online and on-line both mean connected to the Internet, and they can be used as either an adjective or an adverb.
- Online is slightly newer and is much more commonly used today.
- On-line is quickly dying out and should probably be avoided.
In summary, use online unless you have a good reason to do otherwise.
Contents
- 1 What is the Difference Between Online and On-Line?
- 2 When to Use On-line
- 3 When to Use Online
- 4 Trick to Remember the Difference
- 5 Summary
Continue Learning about English Language Arts
Do you spell birthdate as one word or two words?
You can spell it one word or two words. Your choice.
Actually, it is two words.
Is can not one or two words?
Cannot is one word not two words!!
Is in front one word or two?
in front … two words.
upfront … one word or two words, depending on how you are
using it.
confront … one word.
Is wrist watch one word or two words?
no it is not an one word it is of two word
Is self conscious one word or two words?
Online dictionaries are listing the adjective as a hyphenated word.self-conscious
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
-
#1
-
#3
danny~!
-
#5
"I am taking my computer offline" is proper in that context.
"That pilot is flying way off line." is proper in that context.
I assume you are asking about the computer related term, and I would say that it is all one word. (as above.)
-
#6
-
#7
-
#8
<< Thanks, i bet DannyLove didn’t know either…haha >>
does it matter…..
danny~!
-
#10
-
#11
Similar threads
- Advertising
- Cookies Policies
- Privacy
- Term & Conditions
-
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
На основании Вашего запроса эти примеры могут содержать грубую лексику.
На основании Вашего запроса эти примеры могут содержать разговорную лексику.
A mash-up (sometimes spelled as one word, mashup) is a Web page or application that integrates complementary elements from two or more sources.
Mash-up (иногда пишется как одно слово, mashup) — это веб-страница или приложение, которое объединяет дополнительные элементы из двух или более источников.
«Fire Lands» was later spelled as one word: «Firelands.»
In both cases Montecarlo was spelled as one word, unlike Monte Carlo in the Principality of Monaco.
В обоих случаях название Montecarlo писалось без дефиса, в отличие от Монте-Карло в Монако.
I’m hiding again from gym class — spelled correctly but all one word.
Я прячусь вновь от урока физкультуры — пишется правильно, но все одно слово.
Результатов: 77594. Точных совпадений: 3. Затраченное время: 364 мс
Documents
Корпоративные решения
Спряжение
Синонимы
Корректор
Справка и о нас
Индекс слова: 1-300, 301-600, 601-900
Индекс выражения: 1-400, 401-800, 801-1200
Индекс фразы: 1-400, 401-800, 801-1200
If you are looking for is online one word, check the results below :
https://www.grammar.com/online_vs._on-line#:~:text=While%20we%20couldn’t%20classify,be%20identified%20as%20an%20error.
Screenshot:
2. Online vs. on-line – Correct Spelling – Grammarist
Online vs. on-line
Learn the correct spelling of Online vs. on-line & other commonly misspelled words … another one next year which will allow it to provide faster online services.
3. Is it online, on line or on-line? – Future Perfect
http://www.future-perfect.co.uk/grammar-tip/is-it-online-on-line-or-on-line/
Is it online, on line or on-line? · Where the phrase is just a factual statement, we used two words. · Where the entire phrase is used to further describe something …
4. Online or On-Line – Which is Correct? – Writing Explained
Online or On-Line – Which is Correct?
Like so many words, though, there is more than one way to spell this one. Online is often spelled as on-line. Is either spelling better than the other? Can they be …
5. online / on line | Common Errors in English Usage and More …
online / on line
… Internet activities is usually written as one word: “online”: “The online … phrase to write two separate words: “When the teacher took her class …
6. Online | Definition of Online by Merriam-Webster
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/online
Other Words from online More Example Sentences Learn More about online … offers smell of beloved Portland bookstore in one-ounce bottle,» 29 Oct. 2020.
7. Which is correct, «on-line» or «online»? – English Language …
https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/42044/which-is-correct-on-line-or-online
5 answers
8. Online and Offline: To Hyphenate or Not – Sanders, Sheila …
https://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2guides/guides/favart/index-fra.html?lang=fra&lettr=indx_autr8O0GT3FD1GuY&page=9vIoN80lX9k0.html
Multiword terms such as on line and off line, which only a few years ago were written as separate words, are now hyphenated or written as one term. Unable to …
9. Online | Definition of Online at Dictionary.com
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/online
Online definition, operating under the direct control of, or connected to, a main computer. See more. … connected by computer to one or more other computers or networks, … How many Word of the Day terms do you remember from the week of …
10. Word Choice – On Line, Online, or … – Ontario Training Network
Word Choice – On Line, Online, or On-Line
Although you often see the two spellings interchanged, I should have written it as one word in the example. British English inserts a hyphen; …
11. Which spelling is correct, online or on-line (with a hyphen …
https://www.learnersdictionary.com/qa/Online-or-on-line-
The correct way to write this word is online, without a hyphen or space. You may occasionally see online written with a hyphen, but that spelling is very unusual, …
12. ONLINE | meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/online
The course includes an online module. She works for an online magazine. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases.