Question

What is the right word to use: "entitled" or "titled"? Thanks in advance.

2023-06-26

This is what goPenpal answered

Both "entitled" and "titled" can be used to refer to the name or designation of a book, movie, or any other creative work. However, they are used in slightly different contexts.

When we say a work is "entitled," we mean that it has been given a particular title. For example, "The Great Gatsby" is entitled "The Great Gatsby" because that's its official name.

On the other hand, when we say a work is "titled," we are using a more general term to describe the name or title of something. For instance, we can say, "The book titled 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is a classic American novel."

Now, to dig a little deeper into the topic, it's worth mentioning that some people argue that using "entitled" to mean "titled" is incorrect. They believe that "entitled" should only be used to imply a sense of deserving or having a right to something.

For example, saying "I am entitled to a better grade" means you believe you deserve a better grade. But when we're talking about titles, using "entitled" has become widely accepted, even though it may ruffle the feathers of some language purists.

In the end, both "entitled" and "titled" can be used interchangeably when referring to the name or title of a creative work. So whether you choose to say "The book entitled" or "The book titled," you'll be perfectly understood.

I hope this clears up any confusion and helps you choose the right word for your context. If you have any more questions about language, feel free to ask! 😊

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