Difference between “inflection” and “inflexion”?How and when did American spelling supersede British spelling in the US?Is there a term for the point at which returns begin to be diminishing returns?Difference between “reflection” and “reflexion”English word for when grammatical rules causes words to change (“bend”)Difference between “artifact” and “artefact”Difference between “kindness” and “generosity”Is there some difference between “north-east” and “northeast”?Difference between “zeros” and “zeroes”Difference between lead and leash?What is the difference between “vice” and “deputy”?Difference between “grudge” and “resentment”“Covering letter” vs “cover letter”Difference between “upto” and “up to”Difference between Inflection and Declension
To say I met a person for the first time
As an international instructor, should I openly talk about my accent?
Why was Germany not as successful as other Europeans in establishing overseas colonies?
Does Gita support doctrine of eternal cycle of birth and death for evil people?
Why is it that the natural deduction method can't test for invalidity?
What are the potential pitfalls when using metals as a currency?
Is there really no use for MD5 anymore?
How to solve constants out of the internal energy equation?
a sore throat vs a strep throat vs strep throat
How to creep the reader out with what seems like a normal person?
How can the Zone of Truth spell be defeated without the caster knowing?
What does the "ep" capability mean?
How come there are so many candidates for the 2020 Democratic party presidential nomination?
Why does processed meat contain preservatives, while canned fish needs not?
Do I have to worry about players making “bad” choices on level up?
Checks user level and limit the data before saving it to mongoDB
Will tsunami waves travel forever if there was no land?
Can someone publish a story that happened to you?
Symbolic Multivariate Distribution
How to write a column outside the braces in a matrix?
what is the sudo password for a --disabled-password user
"The cow" OR "a cow" OR "cows" in this context
A strange hotel
Map of water taps to fill bottles
Difference between “inflection” and “inflexion”?
How and when did American spelling supersede British spelling in the US?Is there a term for the point at which returns begin to be diminishing returns?Difference between “reflection” and “reflexion”English word for when grammatical rules causes words to change (“bend”)Difference between “artifact” and “artefact”Difference between “kindness” and “generosity”Is there some difference between “north-east” and “northeast”?Difference between “zeros” and “zeroes”Difference between lead and leash?What is the difference between “vice” and “deputy”?Difference between “grudge” and “resentment”“Covering letter” vs “cover letter”Difference between “upto” and “up to”Difference between Inflection and Declension
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
Is the difference merely a matter of American ("inflection") vs British ("inflexion") spelling? Or is there something more to it?
word-usage
asked Aug 12 '16 at 5:23
Kenny LJKenny LJ
1,427133549
add a comment |
Is the difference merely a matter of American ("inflection") vs British ("inflexion") spelling? Or is there something more to it?
word-usage
asked Aug 12 '16 at 5:23
Kenny LJKenny LJ
1,427133549
1
What does the dictionary say?
– choster
Aug 12 '16 at 5:34
@choster - it turns out that depends very much on which dictionary you consult. It seems that if you consult an American dictionary, it's likely to tell you that -xion is simply a British variant, but if you consult a British dictionary it will tell you that it's a variant form that is no longer in common use.
– Periata Breatta
Feb 5 '17 at 1:05
Related: english.stackexchange.com/q/87978/2085 english.stackexchange.com/q/48519/2085
– tchrist♦
Feb 5 '17 at 18:28
add a comment |
Is the difference merely a matter of American ("inflection") vs British ("inflexion") spelling? Or is there something more to it?
word-usage
asked Aug 12 '16 at 5:23
Kenny LJKenny LJ
1,427133549
Is the difference merely a matter of American ("inflection") vs British ("inflexion") spelling? Or is there something more to it?
word-usage
word-usage
asked Aug 12 '16 at 5:23
Kenny LJKenny LJ
1,427133549
asked Aug 12 '16 at 5:23
Kenny LJKenny LJ
1,427133549
asked Aug 12 '16 at 5:23
Kenny LJKenny LJ
1,427133549
asked Aug 12 '16 at 5:23
Kenny LJKenny LJ
1,427133549
asked Aug 12 '16 at 5:23
Kenny LJKenny LJ
1,427133549
1,427133549
1
What does the dictionary say?
– choster
Aug 12 '16 at 5:34
@choster - it turns out that depends very much on which dictionary you consult. It seems that if you consult an American dictionary, it's likely to tell you that -xion is simply a British variant, but if you consult a British dictionary it will tell you that it's a variant form that is no longer in common use.
– Periata Breatta
Feb 5 '17 at 1:05
Related: english.stackexchange.com/q/87978/2085 english.stackexchange.com/q/48519/2085
– tchrist♦
Feb 5 '17 at 18:28
add a comment |
1
What does the dictionary say?
– choster
Aug 12 '16 at 5:34
@choster - it turns out that depends very much on which dictionary you consult. It seems that if you consult an American dictionary, it's likely to tell you that -xion is simply a British variant, but if you consult a British dictionary it will tell you that it's a variant form that is no longer in common use.
– Periata Breatta
Feb 5 '17 at 1:05
Related: english.stackexchange.com/q/87978/2085 english.stackexchange.com/q/48519/2085
– tchrist♦
Feb 5 '17 at 18:28
1
1
What does the dictionary say?
– choster
Aug 12 '16 at 5:34
What does the dictionary say?
– choster
Aug 12 '16 at 5:34
@choster - it turns out that depends very much on which dictionary you consult. It seems that if you consult an American dictionary, it's likely to tell you that -xion is simply a British variant, but if you consult a British dictionary it will tell you that it's a variant form that is no longer in common use.
– Periata Breatta
Feb 5 '17 at 1:05
@choster - it turns out that depends very much on which dictionary you consult. It seems that if you consult an American dictionary, it's likely to tell you that -xion is simply a British variant, but if you consult a British dictionary it will tell you that it's a variant form that is no longer in common use.
– Periata Breatta
Feb 5 '17 at 1:05
Related: english.stackexchange.com/q/87978/2085 english.stackexchange.com/q/48519/2085
– tchrist♦
Feb 5 '17 at 18:28
Related: english.stackexchange.com/q/87978/2085 english.stackexchange.com/q/48519/2085
– tchrist♦
Feb 5 '17 at 18:28
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
The -ction suffix for some terms of Latin origin ending in -xion was adopted especially in AmE from the 18th century. BrE spelling appears to prefer the -xion suffix:
Inflection (n.)
also inflexion, early 15c., from Middle French inflexion and directly from Latin inflexionem (nominative inflexion) "a bending, inflection, modification," noun of action from past participle stem of inflectere "to bend in, to change" (see inflect). For spelling, see connection.
Connection:
Spelling shifted from connexion to connection (especially in American English) mid-18c. under influence of connect, abetted by affection, direction, etc. See -xion.
-xion:
ending favored in British English for certain words that in U.S. typically end in -ction, such as connexion, complexion, inflexion, as being more true to the Latin rules.
(Etymonline)
1
I'd dispute your source's assertion that "-xion" is favoured in British English. It may have been true once upon a time, but today "-ction" is almost universally used. See, e.g. Fowler's Dictionary of Modern English Usage, 4th ed: "current usage prefers -ction (e.g. connection, deflection, genuflection, inflection)"
– Periata Breatta
Feb 5 '17 at 0:52
2
... or Routledge Handbook of the English Writing System: "Usually the <xion> form is so rare in both American and British spelling as not to be a viable partner to the much more common <ction> form ..." It goes on to describe "xion" as appearing old-fashioned or even archaic to British readers while appearing British to American readers.
– Periata Breatta
Feb 5 '17 at 1:00
@PeriataBreatta - you should post an answer providing the references and link you have found.
– user66974
Feb 5 '17 at 8:50
add a comment |
In Jane Austin and Trollope for example, you always get 'connexion' which certainly looks archaic to an older (64) British reader such as myself (Family 'connexions' always loom large in early 19th century literature). However, the reason I am here just now is - I was using the word 'Inflexion' in a report. It sort-of looked right but I wasn't sure. Tried 'Inflection'; it looked right too. QED.
answered Mar 28 at 8:55
user341876user341876
111
add a comment |
It's interesting that whilst in the UK, 'connexion' ceased to be acceptable in the later half of the twentieth century ( The Times Newspaper used the word until the early nineteen seventies ) the use of 'inflexion' has resisted the inevitable tide of change. Albeit i accept that 'inflection' is now the usual spelling.
As a writer of fiction, (joke allowed) i still prefer inflexion, but being somewhat older than most readers, will likely be the last advocate of its use.
My spell checker is accepting inflexion but rejecting connexion, try yourself.
answered Jun 9 '18 at 17:48
jonathan marshalljonathan marshall
1
add a comment |
Your Answer
StackExchange.ready(function()
var channelOptions =
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "97"
;
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function()
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled)
StackExchange.using("snippets", function()
createEditor();
);
else
createEditor();
);
function createEditor()
StackExchange.prepareEditor(
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader:
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
,
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
);
);
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f342402%2fdifference-between-inflection-and-inflexion%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
The -ction suffix for some terms of Latin origin ending in -xion was adopted especially in AmE from the 18th century. BrE spelling appears to prefer the -xion suffix:
Inflection (n.)
also inflexion, early 15c., from Middle French inflexion and directly from Latin inflexionem (nominative inflexion) "a bending, inflection, modification," noun of action from past participle stem of inflectere "to bend in, to change" (see inflect). For spelling, see connection.
Connection:
Spelling shifted from connexion to connection (especially in American English) mid-18c. under influence of connect, abetted by affection, direction, etc. See -xion.
-xion:
ending favored in British English for certain words that in U.S. typically end in -ction, such as connexion, complexion, inflexion, as being more true to the Latin rules.
(Etymonline)
1
I'd dispute your source's assertion that "-xion" is favoured in British English. It may have been true once upon a time, but today "-ction" is almost universally used. See, e.g. Fowler's Dictionary of Modern English Usage, 4th ed: "current usage prefers -ction (e.g. connection, deflection, genuflection, inflection)"
– Periata Breatta
Feb 5 '17 at 0:52
2
... or Routledge Handbook of the English Writing System: "Usually the <xion> form is so rare in both American and British spelling as not to be a viable partner to the much more common <ction> form ..." It goes on to describe "xion" as appearing old-fashioned or even archaic to British readers while appearing British to American readers.
– Periata Breatta
Feb 5 '17 at 1:00
@PeriataBreatta - you should post an answer providing the references and link you have found.
– user66974
Feb 5 '17 at 8:50
add a comment |
The -ction suffix for some terms of Latin origin ending in -xion was adopted especially in AmE from the 18th century. BrE spelling appears to prefer the -xion suffix:
Inflection (n.)
also inflexion, early 15c., from Middle French inflexion and directly from Latin inflexionem (nominative inflexion) "a bending, inflection, modification," noun of action from past participle stem of inflectere "to bend in, to change" (see inflect). For spelling, see connection.
Connection:
Spelling shifted from connexion to connection (especially in American English) mid-18c. under influence of connect, abetted by affection, direction, etc. See -xion.
-xion:
ending favored in British English for certain words that in U.S. typically end in -ction, such as connexion, complexion, inflexion, as being more true to the Latin rules.
(Etymonline)
1
I'd dispute your source's assertion that "-xion" is favoured in British English. It may have been true once upon a time, but today "-ction" is almost universally used. See, e.g. Fowler's Dictionary of Modern English Usage, 4th ed: "current usage prefers -ction (e.g. connection, deflection, genuflection, inflection)"
– Periata Breatta
Feb 5 '17 at 0:52
2
... or Routledge Handbook of the English Writing System: "Usually the <xion> form is so rare in both American and British spelling as not to be a viable partner to the much more common <ction> form ..." It goes on to describe "xion" as appearing old-fashioned or even archaic to British readers while appearing British to American readers.
– Periata Breatta
Feb 5 '17 at 1:00
@PeriataBreatta - you should post an answer providing the references and link you have found.
– user66974
Feb 5 '17 at 8:50
add a comment |
The -ction suffix for some terms of Latin origin ending in -xion was adopted especially in AmE from the 18th century. BrE spelling appears to prefer the -xion suffix:
Inflection (n.)
also inflexion, early 15c., from Middle French inflexion and directly from Latin inflexionem (nominative inflexion) "a bending, inflection, modification," noun of action from past participle stem of inflectere "to bend in, to change" (see inflect). For spelling, see connection.
Connection:
Spelling shifted from connexion to connection (especially in American English) mid-18c. under influence of connect, abetted by affection, direction, etc. See -xion.
-xion:
ending favored in British English for certain words that in U.S. typically end in -ction, such as connexion, complexion, inflexion, as being more true to the Latin rules.
(Etymonline)
The -ction suffix for some terms of Latin origin ending in -xion was adopted especially in AmE from the 18th century. BrE spelling appears to prefer the -xion suffix:
Inflection (n.)
also inflexion, early 15c., from Middle French inflexion and directly from Latin inflexionem (nominative inflexion) "a bending, inflection, modification," noun of action from past participle stem of inflectere "to bend in, to change" (see inflect). For spelling, see connection.
Connection:
Spelling shifted from connexion to connection (especially in American English) mid-18c. under influence of connect, abetted by affection, direction, etc. See -xion.
-xion:
ending favored in British English for certain words that in U.S. typically end in -ction, such as connexion, complexion, inflexion, as being more true to the Latin rules.
(Etymonline)
answered Aug 12 '16 at 5:39
user66974
1
I'd dispute your source's assertion that "-xion" is favoured in British English. It may have been true once upon a time, but today "-ction" is almost universally used. See, e.g. Fowler's Dictionary of Modern English Usage, 4th ed: "current usage prefers -ction (e.g. connection, deflection, genuflection, inflection)"
– Periata Breatta
Feb 5 '17 at 0:52
2
... or Routledge Handbook of the English Writing System: "Usually the <xion> form is so rare in both American and British spelling as not to be a viable partner to the much more common <ction> form ..." It goes on to describe "xion" as appearing old-fashioned or even archaic to British readers while appearing British to American readers.
– Periata Breatta
Feb 5 '17 at 1:00
@PeriataBreatta - you should post an answer providing the references and link you have found.
– user66974
Feb 5 '17 at 8:50
add a comment |
1
I'd dispute your source's assertion that "-xion" is favoured in British English. It may have been true once upon a time, but today "-ction" is almost universally used. See, e.g. Fowler's Dictionary of Modern English Usage, 4th ed: "current usage prefers -ction (e.g. connection, deflection, genuflection, inflection)"
– Periata Breatta
Feb 5 '17 at 0:52
2
... or Routledge Handbook of the English Writing System: "Usually the <xion> form is so rare in both American and British spelling as not to be a viable partner to the much more common <ction> form ..." It goes on to describe "xion" as appearing old-fashioned or even archaic to British readers while appearing British to American readers.
– Periata Breatta
Feb 5 '17 at 1:00
@PeriataBreatta - you should post an answer providing the references and link you have found.
– user66974
Feb 5 '17 at 8:50
1
1
I'd dispute your source's assertion that "-xion" is favoured in British English. It may have been true once upon a time, but today "-ction" is almost universally used. See, e.g. Fowler's Dictionary of Modern English Usage, 4th ed: "current usage prefers -ction (e.g. connection, deflection, genuflection, inflection)"
– Periata Breatta
Feb 5 '17 at 0:52
I'd dispute your source's assertion that "-xion" is favoured in British English. It may have been true once upon a time, but today "-ction" is almost universally used. See, e.g. Fowler's Dictionary of Modern English Usage, 4th ed: "current usage prefers -ction (e.g. connection, deflection, genuflection, inflection)"
– Periata Breatta
Feb 5 '17 at 0:52
2
2
... or Routledge Handbook of the English Writing System: "Usually the <xion> form is so rare in both American and British spelling as not to be a viable partner to the much more common <ction> form ..." It goes on to describe "xion" as appearing old-fashioned or even archaic to British readers while appearing British to American readers.
– Periata Breatta
Feb 5 '17 at 1:00
... or Routledge Handbook of the English Writing System: "Usually the <xion> form is so rare in both American and British spelling as not to be a viable partner to the much more common <ction> form ..." It goes on to describe "xion" as appearing old-fashioned or even archaic to British readers while appearing British to American readers.
– Periata Breatta
Feb 5 '17 at 1:00
@PeriataBreatta - you should post an answer providing the references and link you have found.
– user66974
Feb 5 '17 at 8:50
@PeriataBreatta - you should post an answer providing the references and link you have found.
– user66974
Feb 5 '17 at 8:50
add a comment |
In Jane Austin and Trollope for example, you always get 'connexion' which certainly looks archaic to an older (64) British reader such as myself (Family 'connexions' always loom large in early 19th century literature). However, the reason I am here just now is - I was using the word 'Inflexion' in a report. It sort-of looked right but I wasn't sure. Tried 'Inflection'; it looked right too. QED.
answered Mar 28 at 8:55
user341876user341876
111
add a comment |
In Jane Austin and Trollope for example, you always get 'connexion' which certainly looks archaic to an older (64) British reader such as myself (Family 'connexions' always loom large in early 19th century literature). However, the reason I am here just now is - I was using the word 'Inflexion' in a report. It sort-of looked right but I wasn't sure. Tried 'Inflection'; it looked right too. QED.
answered Mar 28 at 8:55
user341876user341876
111
add a comment |
In Jane Austin and Trollope for example, you always get 'connexion' which certainly looks archaic to an older (64) British reader such as myself (Family 'connexions' always loom large in early 19th century literature). However, the reason I am here just now is - I was using the word 'Inflexion' in a report. It sort-of looked right but I wasn't sure. Tried 'Inflection'; it looked right too. QED.
answered Mar 28 at 8:55
user341876user341876
111
In Jane Austin and Trollope for example, you always get 'connexion' which certainly looks archaic to an older (64) British reader such as myself (Family 'connexions' always loom large in early 19th century literature). However, the reason I am here just now is - I was using the word 'Inflexion' in a report. It sort-of looked right but I wasn't sure. Tried 'Inflection'; it looked right too. QED.
answered Mar 28 at 8:55
user341876user341876
111
answered Mar 28 at 8:55
user341876user341876
111
answered Mar 28 at 8:55
user341876user341876
111
answered Mar 28 at 8:55
user341876user341876
111
111
add a comment |
add a comment |
It's interesting that whilst in the UK, 'connexion' ceased to be acceptable in the later half of the twentieth century ( The Times Newspaper used the word until the early nineteen seventies ) the use of 'inflexion' has resisted the inevitable tide of change. Albeit i accept that 'inflection' is now the usual spelling.
As a writer of fiction, (joke allowed) i still prefer inflexion, but being somewhat older than most readers, will likely be the last advocate of its use.
My spell checker is accepting inflexion but rejecting connexion, try yourself.
answered Jun 9 '18 at 17:48
jonathan marshalljonathan marshall
1
add a comment |
It's interesting that whilst in the UK, 'connexion' ceased to be acceptable in the later half of the twentieth century ( The Times Newspaper used the word until the early nineteen seventies ) the use of 'inflexion' has resisted the inevitable tide of change. Albeit i accept that 'inflection' is now the usual spelling.
As a writer of fiction, (joke allowed) i still prefer inflexion, but being somewhat older than most readers, will likely be the last advocate of its use.
My spell checker is accepting inflexion but rejecting connexion, try yourself.
answered Jun 9 '18 at 17:48
jonathan marshalljonathan marshall
1
add a comment |
It's interesting that whilst in the UK, 'connexion' ceased to be acceptable in the later half of the twentieth century ( The Times Newspaper used the word until the early nineteen seventies ) the use of 'inflexion' has resisted the inevitable tide of change. Albeit i accept that 'inflection' is now the usual spelling.
As a writer of fiction, (joke allowed) i still prefer inflexion, but being somewhat older than most readers, will likely be the last advocate of its use.
My spell checker is accepting inflexion but rejecting connexion, try yourself.
answered Jun 9 '18 at 17:48
jonathan marshalljonathan marshall
1
It's interesting that whilst in the UK, 'connexion' ceased to be acceptable in the later half of the twentieth century ( The Times Newspaper used the word until the early nineteen seventies ) the use of 'inflexion' has resisted the inevitable tide of change. Albeit i accept that 'inflection' is now the usual spelling.
As a writer of fiction, (joke allowed) i still prefer inflexion, but being somewhat older than most readers, will likely be the last advocate of its use.
My spell checker is accepting inflexion but rejecting connexion, try yourself.
answered Jun 9 '18 at 17:48
jonathan marshalljonathan marshall
1
answered Jun 9 '18 at 17:48
jonathan marshalljonathan marshall
1
answered Jun 9 '18 at 17:48
jonathan marshalljonathan marshall
1
answered Jun 9 '18 at 17:48
jonathan marshalljonathan marshall
1
1
add a comment |
add a comment |
Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f342402%2fdifference-between-inflection-and-inflexion%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
1
What does the dictionary say?
– choster
Aug 12 '16 at 5:34
@choster - it turns out that depends very much on which dictionary you consult. It seems that if you consult an American dictionary, it's likely to tell you that -xion is simply a British variant, but if you consult a British dictionary it will tell you that it's a variant form that is no longer in common use.
– Periata Breatta
Feb 5 '17 at 1:05
Related: english.stackexchange.com/q/87978/2085 english.stackexchange.com/q/48519/2085
– tchrist♦
Feb 5 '17 at 18:28