Discreet/ discrete. Which one ?

FannyCornforth

MrsKen33

Yes it is. She also crossed out ‘laundry’ and substituted it with ‘ laundromat’. In 1950s Wales? I don’t think so.

Laundrette?

If it had been in 1950s/60's England in my neck of the woods it would have been a "Washerteria", my SIL thinks it a hoot when her DH says it. We would not have known what a laundromat was. We still say it today, I saw it painted above an establishment just last week and had a laugh to myself. We haven't caught up with the rest of Britain yet.

As I said upthread. The publishers pay the proofreader. Comes with the contract.

MaizieD

Yammy

MaizieD

Yammy

MaizieD

I'd suggest that if you aren't sure about a word you consult a dictionary.

lixy is correct.

Rather than getting the rather sharp reply on gransnet, just type the meaning of one into your computer and then the other. Computers are far more compassionate than some grans netters are getting these days. Unfortunately, it comes to us all.

There are even dictionaries on line, Yammy.

Or do people have to be really, really spoonfed these days?

Well, you don't say what a revelation. Though it is easier if you are not that aufait with a computer to type the meaning in of one and them and then the other.
I think as we get older a lot of us need a bit of help call it spoon-fed if you like.

You don't have to type in the meanings, just the words

e.g discrete definition

discreet definition

The computer will give you lots and lots of correct definitions.

If you tried via the 'meaning' you'd probably get a whole thesaurus...

Only if you know it will and the poster would not have asked if she had known.

Witzend

They have entirely different meanings.

From my big fat Oxford dictionary: (much of what it says)

Discreet - careful and circumspect in one’s words or actions, e.g. some discreet enquiries

Discrete - individually separate and distinct.

Well, I’m upset at fat shaming that poor dictionary, what did it ever do to you?

grannyrebel7

Someone having a pop at the OP again! I suggest try being kind as your new year's resolution.

Not being unkind nor having a pop, just offering practical advice, on where an accurate and succinct definition can be found.
It takes less than a minute to do the search.

Someone having a pop at the OP again! I suggest try being kind as your new year's resolution.

MrsKen33

Reason I asked is that my proofreader seems to have no idea of grammar, and I need to be sure I am right. She seems also to be unable to grasp capitals for proper nouns etc. hey ho!

Is this someone you’re paying privately? Honestly, you need to find someone else!

In the past I’ve had a lot to do with professional proofreaders/editors, and the worst I experienced was an American one, who objected strongly to the term ‘dumb animals’ and wrote in the margin, ‘Dogs are not dumb!’

I could just about forgive that, given the general meaning of ‘dumb’ across the pond.

That's what I mean Maizie, sensible advice and common sense dismissed, with unpleasant comments! Some posters (obviously not meaning you) can't resist having a dig.

If the OP has the skills to post on GN, then she has the ability to look it up online. What a fuss and unnecessary unpleasantness.

Well, dammit, Marydoll, I more or less said that (only more succinctly) right near the start of this exchange and was told off for it!

I’d have thought that goes without saying, Maw, but I should have made it clearer.

As is so often obvious from posts both here and on MN, a lot of people evidently think that ‘discrete’ is an alternative spelling for ‘discreet’.

If the OP has the skills to post on GN, then she has the ability to look it up online. What a fuss and unnecessary unpleasantness.
You don't even need an online dictionary, just Google discrete or discrete.

Discreet and discrete are homophones. They sound the same but they have different definitions. Discreet means careful or intentionally unobtrusive.
Discrete means distinct or unconnected.

GSM, glad to see you posting again.

Witzend

I had thought the OP wanted to know which was correct, for example ‘say in an exam situation’. In such a case, case, surely, you’d want to know which was the right one to use?

Am I being naïve to think you’d want to use the right word, regardless of situation?

I remember reading something along the lines of,
‘phonics sessions must be taught discretely’, and initially being confused.
As in, ‘shh, we’re doing phonics, don’t tell anyone!’

MrsKen33

Yes it is. She also crossed out ‘laundry’ and substituted it with ‘ laundromat’. In 1950s Wales? I don’t think so.

Laundrette?

I had thought the OP wanted to know which was correct, for example ‘say in an exam situation’. In such a case, case, surely, you’d want to know which was the right one to use?

Lucca

Can’t believe this. Op asked a question , and got several polite and correct answers why the need to take the huff and turn yet another thread into “some posters are mean “

Hear, hear

Or is it here, here?

MawtheMerrier

welbeck

for everyone telling me, thank you, i already know that they are different words, with different meanings.
my advice was pragmatic; say in an exam situation, or in a hurry, when checking is not possible.
the likelihood is that discreet is more likely to fit, as it is much more commonly used.
i do not mean used incorrectly.
many people would not recognise discrete, or understand its particular meaning, as it is much less frequently used.
those who are not sure, probably are not searching for the word discrete, but rather discreet.
never mind.
i should have known the grammar school gangsta grannies would jump on me.

That is entirely unfair Welbeck. OP was asking a factual question, not a stylistic one, and got a factual answer.
Nobody jumped on anybody. Nothing to do with pragmatism, exam pressure, technical situation or anything else. Different meanings require different words .End of.
To call all those who gave a factual answer grammar school gangsta grannies is to mock anybody who says 2+2=4 and say “it depends”.
Why reject a straight answer or take the huff?

Why would anyone come to Pedants' Corner for pragmatic advice? Presumably they want the factual answer!!

Can’t believe this. Op asked a question , and got several polite and correct answers why the need to take the huff and turn yet another thread into “some posters are mean “

MrsKen33

I am doing some writing and I can’t decide which of these to use. Is there a rule, and if so what might it be.

If you do know they are different words with different meanings, OP, why ask, “if there is a rule”, saying you can’t decide ? If you mean “table” don’t say “chair”

welbeck

for everyone telling me, thank you, i already know that they are different words, with different meanings.
my advice was pragmatic; say in an exam situation, or in a hurry, when checking is not possible.
the likelihood is that discreet is more likely to fit, as it is much more commonly used.
i do not mean used incorrectly.
many people would not recognise discrete, or understand its particular meaning, as it is much less frequently used.
those who are not sure, probably are not searching for the word discrete, but rather discreet.
never mind.
i should have known the grammar school gangsta grannies would jump on me.

That is entirely unfair Welbeck. OP was asking a factual question, not a stylistic one, and got a factual answer.
Nobody jumped on anybody. Nothing to do with pragmatism, exam pressure, technical situation or anything else. Different meanings require different words .End of.
To call all those who gave a factual answer grammar school gangsta grannies is to mock anybody who says 2+2=4 and say “it depends”.
Why reject a straight answer or take the huff?

You don’t get to choose your proofreader. The publishers do thatnanna8

Time for a different proofreader?

Maw I do know what it means etc. My difficulty is relaying this to the proofreader who seems unaware of basic English grammar rules.

for everyone telling me, thank you, i already know that they are different words, with different meanings.
my advice was pragmatic; say in an exam situation, or in a hurry, when checking is not possible.
the likelihood is that discreet is more likely to fit, as it is much more commonly used.
i do not mean used incorrectly.
many people would not recognise discrete, or understand its particular meaning, as it is much less frequently used.
those who are not sure, probably are not searching for the word discrete, but rather discreet.
never mind.
i should have known the grammar school gangsta grannies would jump on me.

Real proofreaders and editors can work online remotely too. 🙂