Commonly Confused Words:Tick vs. Tic
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fandom_grammarToday we'll be tackling the commonly confused words tick and tic. With examples from Saiyuki.
Most of the confusion between tick and tic seems to center around the noun forms of the words, so for the purposes of this explanation, that's what we'll focus on.
Tick, originally from the Middle English for "little touch," can mean several different things:
a) a slight, sharp, recurring click, tap, or beat (as of a clock)
b) a small dot, mark, check, or electronic signal, as used to mark off an item on a list, serve as a reminder, or call attention to something
c) and, informally, "a moment or instant"
Tic, from the French, is a noun that refers to a physical spasm or behavioral quirk, like
a) a quick, involuntary, and spasmodic muscular contraction
b) or a recurrent personality/behavioral trait
So how do you know which one to use? Just remember that that "tick" refers to marking something, like marking time with the ticking of a clock or marking an item on a list with a tick. A "tic" is often related to the physical body in some way.
Sources:
Tic at dictionary.com
Tick at dictionary.com
Most of the confusion between tick and tic seems to center around the noun forms of the words, so for the purposes of this explanation, that's what we'll focus on.
Tick, originally from the Middle English for "little touch," can mean several different things:
a) a slight, sharp, recurring click, tap, or beat (as of a clock)
Goku was abnormally energetic after lunch, bouncing the end of a chopstick against his cup. The tick, tick, tick of lacquered wood on ceramic proved to be too annoying for Sanzo, who snapped, "Knock it off!" and whapped Goku upside the head with his newspaper.
b) a small dot, mark, check, or electronic signal, as used to mark off an item on a list, serve as a reminder, or call attention to something
"There, that's the last of it," Hakkai said as he handed the basket to Gojyo. He placed a tidy little tick next to "carrots" at the bottom of his shopping list.
c) and, informally, "a moment or instant"
Gojyo and Goku barreled into the fray, weapons raised. "Wait a tick!" Hakkai said as he gauged the situation and then followed behind them.
Tic, from the French, is a noun that refers to a physical spasm or behavioral quirk, like
a) a quick, involuntary, and spasmodic muscular contraction
Whenever he suffered from insomnia for too long, Gojyo's right eyelid would twitch. It was a tic that wasn't very noticeable, but it drove him nuts.
b) or a recurrent personality/behavioral trait
Hakkai frequently laughed at rather inappropriate moments, a behavioral tic that hadn't made him many friends as a child. Of course, he hadn't been friendly, either, so that probably had something to do with it, too.
So how do you know which one to use? Just remember that that "tick" refers to marking something, like marking time with the ticking of a clock or marking an item on a list with a tick. A "tic" is often related to the physical body in some way.
Sources:
Tic at dictionary.com
Tick at dictionary.com
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