Commonly Confused Words: tenet vs. tenant
What is the difference between tenet and tenant?
These two words sound almost the same but have completely different meanings, so you want to make sure you have the correct one. Daniel Jackson from Stargate SG-1 will help demonstrate the difference.
A tenet is "a principle or belief, [especially] one of the main principles of a religion or philosophy."
"Jack," Daniel said, "you have to put down your gun. Nonviolence is the major tenet of this planet's belief system."
"Well, the major tenet in my belief system is making sure I've got our six covered," Jack replied.
Tenet comes from the Latin literally meaning "he holds." This makes sense metaphorically-that which we hold most closely is our beliefs.
The word tenant comes from the same Latin root but refers to holding the right to a property-"a person who occupies land or property rented from a landlord."
"So," Jack said from Daniel's infirmary bedside, "apartment hunting when you get out?"
Daniel sighed. "Yeah. Since the Stargate program means I spend most of my time classified as injured, dead, or otherwise missing, I'm pretty much the world's worst tenant."
Because both words come from the same root, it makes remembering the difference a bit tricky. For mnemonics, try thinking of your beliefs and philosophies, your tenets, as being related to your ethics. As a tenant, though, you are renting an apartment or land.
Definitions from New Oxford American Dictionary
These two words sound almost the same but have completely different meanings, so you want to make sure you have the correct one. Daniel Jackson from Stargate SG-1 will help demonstrate the difference.
A tenet is "a principle or belief, [especially] one of the main principles of a religion or philosophy."
"Jack," Daniel said, "you have to put down your gun. Nonviolence is the major tenet of this planet's belief system."
"Well, the major tenet in my belief system is making sure I've got our six covered," Jack replied.
Tenet comes from the Latin literally meaning "he holds." This makes sense metaphorically-that which we hold most closely is our beliefs.
The word tenant comes from the same Latin root but refers to holding the right to a property-"a person who occupies land or property rented from a landlord."
"So," Jack said from Daniel's infirmary bedside, "apartment hunting when you get out?"
Daniel sighed. "Yeah. Since the Stargate program means I spend most of my time classified as injured, dead, or otherwise missing, I'm pretty much the world's worst tenant."
Because both words come from the same root, it makes remembering the difference a bit tricky. For mnemonics, try thinking of your beliefs and philosophies, your tenets, as being related to your ethics. As a tenant, though, you are renting an apartment or land.
Definitions from New Oxford American Dictionary