BLAST FROM THE PAST - What's the difference between faze and phase?
BLAST FROM THE PAST - What's the difference between faze and phase?
With examples from Stargate SG-1 (and a slight reference to Star Trek)
I'm not sure how I can top chiroho's excellent discussion of this topic, so I'll just give you a refresher on the world of phase vs. faze - the difference between the words and how to avoid using the wrong one.
Faze
The word faze is a verb that means "to cause to be disturbed or embarrassed," or in other words, to be bothered by something.
After meeting the Unas and Asgards, the unusual appearance of the Furlings didn't even faze Daniel.
The Colonel's outrageous behavior didn't faze Sam in the least. She acted as if nothing out of the ordinary took place.
One way to distinguish between the two is that faze is almost always used with a negative, as in the above examples. There are a few rare occasions when it isn't paired with a negative, such as:
It takes a lot more than a Goa'uld death glider to faze O'Neill.
But just remember that if the word "bother" works in the sentence, always use faze.
Phase
Phase has many meanings, but the most common usages lies within the following definitions:
"Cassie is just going through a phase," Sam told her friend. "Just give her some time."
"Whether or not this works depends on the illuminated phase of the moon," Sam said.
Teal'c understood that phase of the perspective. He could not, however, condone it.
Basically, phase represents the various aspects of reality as we know it. A change of some kind is involved in all instances, which gives us another way to remember which word to use. When something "changes," use phase.
To put it all in one neat little package, faze bothers us and phase changes something.
And finally, a thought for the day: Since we can't talk about faze vs. phase without bringing up Star Trek "phasers," the above rings true for that word as well. "Phasers" are mainly designed to faze (or bother) the victim, but in a sense, "phasers" also put the victim into another phase (or change) of awareness. I'm sure English teachers around the world will shoot me down for this, but I'll put it out there anyway.
With examples from Stargate SG-1 (and a slight reference to Star Trek)
I'm not sure how I can top chiroho's excellent discussion of this topic, so I'll just give you a refresher on the world of phase vs. faze - the difference between the words and how to avoid using the wrong one.
Faze
The word faze is a verb that means "to cause to be disturbed or embarrassed," or in other words, to be bothered by something.
After meeting the Unas and Asgards, the unusual appearance of the Furlings didn't even faze Daniel.
The Colonel's outrageous behavior didn't faze Sam in the least. She acted as if nothing out of the ordinary took place.
One way to distinguish between the two is that faze is almost always used with a negative, as in the above examples. There are a few rare occasions when it isn't paired with a negative, such as:
It takes a lot more than a Goa'uld death glider to faze O'Neill.
But just remember that if the word "bother" works in the sentence, always use faze.
Phase
Phase has many meanings, but the most common usages lies within the following definitions:
- having to do with an aspect of a person or thing;
- changes in a cycle, such as life;
- planetary or lunar changes that occur on a regular basis; and
- alternate versions of a point of view
"Cassie is just going through a phase," Sam told her friend. "Just give her some time."
"Whether or not this works depends on the illuminated phase of the moon," Sam said.
Teal'c understood that phase of the perspective. He could not, however, condone it.
Basically, phase represents the various aspects of reality as we know it. A change of some kind is involved in all instances, which gives us another way to remember which word to use. When something "changes," use phase.
To put it all in one neat little package, faze bothers us and phase changes something.
And finally, a thought for the day: Since we can't talk about faze vs. phase without bringing up Star Trek "phasers," the above rings true for that word as well. "Phasers" are mainly designed to faze (or bother) the victim, but in a sense, "phasers" also put the victim into another phase (or change) of awareness. I'm sure English teachers around the world will shoot me down for this, but I'll put it out there anyway.