Answer: Tack vs. Tact
starwatcher307 asked: What is the difference between "tack" and "tact"?
With examples from Stargate Atlantis
I'll start with "tact," since its definition is more straightforward:
"Tact" refers to skill in dealing appropriately, sensitively, and non-offensively with others.
"Well, I'm sorry!" Rodney said as John forcibly removed him from the negotiating table. "That's as much tact as you're going to get out of me!"
"Tack," on the other hand, has several different meanings. The most well-known ones are:
1. Tack as an object used to pin paper to a bulletin board. It can also be used as a verb in this way (to tack something on).
2. Tack as something sticky used to attach things together.
3. Tack as in taking a different approach to something.
It's this last meaning that is often misused. This definition of "tack" was originally a sailing term that referred to changing the course of a sailboat to find the best angle to catch the wind. Over time the definition has expanded to include things outside of a nautical context.
John could tell they would have to take a different tack with the negotiations. Preferably one that didn't involve Rodney being anywhere near the delegation.
How, specifically, are these two words mixed up? The most common mistake seen in writing (and it's a very widespread mistake) is the use of "tact" when the writer actually meant "tack" (as per the third definition above).
Wrong: "We'll have to try a different tact," said Elizabeth, echoing John's thoughts.
Correct: "We'll have to try a different tack," said Elizabeth, echoing John's thoughts.
Where does the confusion come from? I used to mix these two words up all the time. I only learned the difference when I got confused enough from seeing it written both ways that I looked it up myself. For me (and from what I've gathered from my reading, many other people), "tact" looks like a shortened version of "tactic." Since "tactic" can, in a sentence, have a similar meaning to "tack," it seems that's where the confusion lies.
So, if the word you're looking for is similar in meaning to a change in tactic or approach, what you want is "tack." Use "tact" only when referring to someone's ability to behave or speak appropriately and sensitively in a given situation.
With examples from Stargate Atlantis
I'll start with "tact," since its definition is more straightforward:
"Tact" refers to skill in dealing appropriately, sensitively, and non-offensively with others.
"Well, I'm sorry!" Rodney said as John forcibly removed him from the negotiating table. "That's as much tact as you're going to get out of me!"
"Tack," on the other hand, has several different meanings. The most well-known ones are:
1. Tack as an object used to pin paper to a bulletin board. It can also be used as a verb in this way (to tack something on).
2. Tack as something sticky used to attach things together.
3. Tack as in taking a different approach to something.
It's this last meaning that is often misused. This definition of "tack" was originally a sailing term that referred to changing the course of a sailboat to find the best angle to catch the wind. Over time the definition has expanded to include things outside of a nautical context.
John could tell they would have to take a different tack with the negotiations. Preferably one that didn't involve Rodney being anywhere near the delegation.
How, specifically, are these two words mixed up? The most common mistake seen in writing (and it's a very widespread mistake) is the use of "tact" when the writer actually meant "tack" (as per the third definition above).
Wrong: "We'll have to try a different tact," said Elizabeth, echoing John's thoughts.
Correct: "We'll have to try a different tack," said Elizabeth, echoing John's thoughts.
Where does the confusion come from? I used to mix these two words up all the time. I only learned the difference when I got confused enough from seeing it written both ways that I looked it up myself. For me (and from what I've gathered from my reading, many other people), "tact" looks like a shortened version of "tactic." Since "tactic" can, in a sentence, have a similar meaning to "tack," it seems that's where the confusion lies.
So, if the word you're looking for is similar in meaning to a change in tactic or approach, what you want is "tack." Use "tact" only when referring to someone's ability to behave or speak appropriately and sensitively in a given situation.