# Word Choice and Confusables

Word usage entries that don't fit other topics: commonly confused word pairs, Apple-preferred forms, and word-choice guidance.

## Entries

### above, below
You can use *above* or *below* to describe text or an object that closely precedes or follows the current paragraph.

> In the example above, clip B is shortened and clip C is lengthened, but their combined duration stays the same. [earlier figure]
> These sliders mirror the settings of the Levels sliders, described above. [earlier text]
> The diagram below shows a typical network configuration. [later figure]
> The process for creating a multicam project is outlined below. [later text]

Otherwise, use a cross-reference (consult your department's guidelines about the style of cross-references).

See also [cross-references](#cross-references).

### afterward
Not *afterwards*.

### alias
Use *for* with *alias* (not *of* or *to*).

> The alias for the selected file is on the desktop.

The object the alias represents is called the *original item*. Don't use *aliased*. See also [email alias](apple-features-software.md#email-alias).

### alternate (adj.), alternative (adj.)
Use *alternate* to mean *every other* or *occurring or proceeding by turn*. Use *alternative* to mean *allowing two or more choices*.

> You can shade alternate rows of a table.
> When traffic is heavy, Apple Maps provides alternative routes.

### although, though
See [while, although, whereas](voice-and-tone.md#while-although-whereas).

### among, between
*Among* implies three or more entities; *between* implies two.

### and so forth, and so on
See [etc.](#etc).

### as
Don't use *as* when you mean *because* or *since*.

### backup (n., adj.), back up (v.)
One word except as a verb; no hyphen.

### backward (adv.)
Not *backwards* when you refer to direction. But in certain other contexts, such as putting a card in backwards, it's OK to use *backwards*.

### because
See [since, because](#since-because).

### below
See [above, below](#above-below).

### between
See [among, between](#among-between).

### bug
Avoid; use *problem*, *condition*, *issue*, or *situation* instead.

### catalog
Not *catalogue*.

### check
Don't use when you mean the action of selecting a checkbox. See also [checkbox](ui-elements.md#checkbox).

### code, passcode
Use *code* to refer to the sequence of numbers sent to a device to verify a user's identity.

> Enter the six-digit code sent to your iPhone.

Use *passcode* to refer to the unique combination of numbers (and sometimes letters) that a user sets to lock or unlock a device, set restrictions on a device, or provide authentication for Apple Pay purchases.

> To unlock Apple Watch, enter your passcode.

See also [authenticate, authorize](voice-and-tone.md#authenticate-authorize); [passkey](#passkey); [password](#password).

### communication, communications
Use the singular to describe the act of communicating; use the plural to describe the technology.

### comprise
The whole *comprises* its parts. This word is misused so often that correct usage might confuse the reader; avoid it altogether. Use *is composed of, includes, consists of, contains*, or another word, as appropriate. Never use *is comprised of*, which in strict usage is equivalent to *is included of*.

### connect
See entry under [voice-and-tone.md](voice-and-tone.md#connect).

### constitute
Parts *constitute* a whole. A whole *comprises* parts. See also [comprise](#comprise).

### convert to
Not *convert into*.

### country
Avoid using the term *country* when referring to a geographical area. Instead, use *country or region* or just *region*.

> Features may vary based on country or region.
> Some features are not available in all countries or regions.

### cross-references
Guidelines for cross-references vary by department, document type, and delivery method.

- *Titles of books and other documents:* In general, use title-style capitalization and italics; don't use quotation marks unless italics aren't available. Don't capitalize or italicize phrases such as *user guide* unless they're part of the title as it appears on the cover page of the document. Don't include trademark symbols.

> See the *iPhone User Guide*.
> For detailed information about using Apple Watch, download the user guide.

*Exception:* In onscreen text, it's acceptable to write the titles of user guides (and other books) in roman, with no quotation marks.

- *Titles of chapters or sections of a document:* Authoring and output tools typically determine the format of links to chapters or sections within a document. For cross-references that aren't links, match the capitalization style of the chapter or section title, and enclose the title in quotation marks. If you refer to a chapter by number, don't enclose the word *Chapter* or the chapter number in quotation marks.

See also [capitalization](capitalization.md#capitalization).

### dialogue
Use *dialogue*, not *dialog*, to refer to spoken words.

### different from
Not *different than*. Make sure that the elements being compared are parallel nouns.

> Correct: The Mac user interface is different from that of a Windows PC.
> Incorrect: The Mac user interface is different than that of a Windows PC.
> Incorrect: The Mac user interface is different from a Windows PC.

### differently than
Use when comparing two parallel clauses. Don't use *different than*, *different from*, or *differently from* for this purpose. But rewrite whenever possible to set up a construction in which *different from* is used to compare two parallel nouns.

> Correct: She uses the computer differently than he does.
> Preferable: Her use of the computer is different from his.
> Incorrect: She uses the computer differently than him.

### due to
Avoid; instead, use alternatives such as *caused by* or *because of*.

> Avoid: The interference was due to a faulty cable.
> Preferable: Your apps will open more quickly because of the additional memory.

### e.g.
Don't use; use *for example* or *such as*. See also [abbreviations and acronyms](abbreviations-and-acronyms.md#abbreviations-and-acronyms).

### earlier, later
Use to refer to versions of software; don't use *lower* and *higher* or *newer* and *older*.

> You can use Apple Fitness+ with iPad (iPadOS 14.3 or later) and Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD (tvOS 14.3 or later).
> To use Universal Control, you need a Mac with macOS 12.3 or later and iPad with iPadOS 15.4 or later.
> You can do Group Workouts with watchOS 8.1 or later.

See also [latest](#latest); [version number](apple-features-software.md#version-number).

### ebook (n.)
An electronic book. See also [EPUB (adj.)](#epub-adj).

### email (n., v., adj.)
One word.

> Send an email to your manager.
> Your manager wants you to email her.
> You can set up email filters.

When referring to more than one email, use *email* if you're using the word in a collective sense; use *emails* to refer to a specific group or type of emails.

> You can filter incoming email.
> Here are tips for how to avoid phishing emails.
> Flag important emails to make them easier to find later.

You can use *messages* to refer to email if the context makes it clear you're talking about email, not text messages.

### embed
Not *imbed*.

### ensure, insure
Use *ensure* to mean *make sure* or *guarantee*. Use *insure* to describe what an insurance company does.

> Insure your car to ensure that it's covered in an accident.

See also [assure](voice-and-tone.md#assure).

### EPUB (adj.)
A file format for electronic books and other documents. Don't use as a noun; to refer generically to an electronic book, use *ebook*.

> Correct: You can import an EPUB file into a template.
> Incorrect: You can import an EPUB into a template.

See also [file types](abbreviations-and-acronyms.md#file-types).

### etc.
Don't use; use *and so forth* or *and so on*. See also [abbreviations and acronyms](abbreviations-and-acronyms.md#abbreviations-and-acronyms).

### et al.
Abbreviation for *and others*. Use only to list people (not things) too numerous to mention—for example, when referring to scholarly books or articles having four or more authors.

> See M. B. Cooper et al., "Reader Preferences for Report Typefaces,…"

Avoid in user materials. See also [abbreviations and acronyms](abbreviations-and-acronyms.md#abbreviations-and-acronyms).

### fewer, less
Use *fewer* for countable items; use *less* for quantity or bulk.

> The fewer devices in your network system, the less cable you need.

### free
Don't use to refer to available memory or storage space; use *available*.

### grandfathered, grandfathered in
Don't use; use an alternative that's appropriate to the context, such as *legacy*, *exempt*, or *preexisting*. Or reword the sentence using *you can keep*, *allowed to remain*, or similar wording.

> Correct: You can keep your plan if you purchased it before January 1, 2021.
> Incorrect: Your plan is grandfathered in if you purchased it before January 1, 2021.

### imbed
Don't use; use *embed*.

### inside
Not *inside of*.

### internet, Internet
Use lowercase whether you're referring to *the* internet (used by the World Wide Web) or *an* internet (a generic network, or *internetwork*). Capitalize only in proper names, such as Internet Protocol.

> Connect your iPhone to the internet by using an available Wi-Fi or cellular network.
> On Mac, a DNS server converts internet names to IP addresses.
> An internet is two or more computer networks that are connected using network routers.

See also [intranet](#intranet); [web](apple-features-software.md#web).

### into, in to
Use *in to* when *in* is part of the verb. Use *into* to imply motion to the inside of something.

> Correct: Log in to the computer.
> Incorrect: Log into the computer.
> Correct: Insert the CD into the optical drive.

See also [onto, on to](#onto-on-to); [plug in (v.), plug into (v.)](#plug-in-v-plug-into-v).

### intranet
A private network, usually owned by a corporation or an institution (*your company's intranet*). See also [internet, Internet](#internet-internet).

### inverted
Don't use when you mean *highlighted*.

### invite (v.), invitation (n.)
Don't use *invite* as a noun in place of *invitation*.

### its, it's
Don't confuse *it's* (the contraction for *it is*) with *its* (a possessive pronoun): *It's important for the department to keep track of its computers.* See also [contractions](voice-and-tone.md#contractions); [possessives](punctuation.md#possessives).

### jargon
Avoid jargon whenever possible. Define technical terminology on first occurrence.

### latest
Don't use to refer to a specific software update. Instead, use only the version number (or a date, in technical support documents), or use *or later* to indicate a range of updates. It's OK to use *latest* if you're generally instructing users to keep their software up to date.

> Correct: To use this feature, you must have iPadOS 13.2 or later installed.
> Correct: For the best results, make sure you're using the latest version of iPadOS.

See also [earlier, later](#earlier-later); [version number](apple-features-software.md#version-number).

### later
See [earlier, later](#earlier-later).

### less, fewer
Use *less* for quantity or bulk; use *fewer* for countable items.

> The fewer devices in your network system, the less cable you need.

### log on, log off
Don't use; use *log in* and *log out*. See also [login (n., adj.), log in (v.)](#login-n-adj-log-in-v).

### login (n., adj.), log in (v.)
Use to refer to the procedure for starting use of a Mac system account. Use *log in to*, not *log into*.

> Correct: You must log in as an administrator.
> Correct: If you turn on automatic login for yourself, your account opens when the computer starts up.
> Incorrect: You must log into the computer.

Users *log in to* a file server (not *log on to*); users *log out of* a file server (not *log off*, *log off of*, or *log out from*).

> Correct: You must log out of the server.
> Incorrect: You must log out from the server.
> Incorrect: You must log off the server.

Use *login window* to refer to the window that appears when a new user logs in to macOS.

See also [sign-in (n., adj.), sign in (v.)](#sign-in-n-adj-sign-in-v).

### maintenance release
Don't use; use *update*. See also [update](apple-features-software.md#update).

### may, can
See [can, might, may](voice-and-tone.md#can-might-may).

### messages
See [email](#email-n-v-adj).

### model
Don't use when you can use *computer*.

> Correct: How you use this feature depends on which model of Mac computer you have.
> Correct: The setup guide that came with your computer provides instructions.
> Incorrect: The setup guide that came with your model provides instructions.

### most recent
See [earlier, later](#earlier-later); [latest](#latest); [version number](apple-features-software.md#version-number).

### OK
Not *okay*.

### onto, on to
Use *on to* when *on* is part of the verb.

> Correct: Hang on to the handles.
> Correct: Lift the printer onto the table.
> Incorrect: Lift the printer on to the table.

See also [into, in to](#into-in-to).

### over
Don't use when you mean *more than*.

> Correct: You can add more than 1000 songs.
> Incorrect: You can add over 1000 songs.

### passcode
See [code, passcode](#code-passcode).

### passkey
Use to refer to a sign-in method for apps and websites that's more secure than a password. Don't use when you mean *code*, *passcode*, or *password*. See also [code, passcode](#code-passcode); [password](#password).

### passphrase
Avoid in user materials. Use *passcode*, *password*, or *passkey*, depending on the context. See also [code, passcode](#code-passcode); [passkey](#passkey); [password](#password).

### password
Use to refer to a sequence of characters a user enters to gain access to a protected resource. Don't use when you mean *code*, *passcode*, or *passkey*. See also [code, passcode](#code-passcode); [passkey](#passkey).

### plug in (v.), plug into (v.)
Use when you refer to the specific act of plugging a connector into a port or an outlet. For example, a power cord plugs into an electrical outlet; you can plug a USB connector into a USB port. See also [connect](voice-and-tone.md#connect); [connector](ui-elements.md#connector); [into, in to](#into-in-to).

### preinstalled, preloaded
Avoid. Say *installed*, *loaded*, *included*, or other wording when possible.

### prepositions
It's OK to end a sentence with a preposition, especially when rewriting would produce a stiff-sounding phrase.

> Play a trailer you're working on.
> Select the playlist you want to add songs to.

### problem
Don't use in phrases such as *this is a known problem* or *this version fixes that problem*. Use *condition*, *issue*, or *situation*. It's OK to use *problem* in a general way, such as the following:

> If you have a problem registering, try again in a few moments.

### professional
Don't shorten to *pro*.

### receipt
A written acknowledgment by a receiver of money that payment or delivery has been made. If payment has already been made, use *receipt* and not *invoice*. See also [invoice](#invoice).

### redownload
Don't use; use *download again*.

### release
Refers to the issuing of software, as in *a major release of iOS*. Don't use when referring to a macOS version number.

> Correct: The next major release of macOS will be available later this year.
> Incorrect: The 14.5 release of macOS will be available later this year.

See also [version number](apple-features-software.md#version-number).

### representative
Don't use to refer to an AppleCare Support person. See also [advisor, Advisor](apple-features-software.md#advisor-advisor).

### rule of thumb
Avoid; use *general rule*, *general recommendation*, *guideline*, or *as a rule*.

### seasons
Because content may be viewed by a global audience, avoid referring to times of the year using the names of seasons.

> Preferable: coming later this year, starting early next year
> Avoid: coming this fall, starting this spring

### sign-in (n., adj.), sign in (v.)
Use to refer to creating a session for an internet account. Users *sign in* to accounts and services; computers, devices, and apps do not. Use *sign in to*, not *sign into*.

> Correct: Sign in to your Apple Account to get access to Apple services.
> Incorrect: Your Mac must be signed in to your Apple Account to get access to Apple services.

Users *sign out of* accounts and services (not *sign off*, *sign off of,* or *sign off from*).

See also [login (n., adj.), log in (v.)](#login-n-adj-log-in-v).

### sign-on (n., adj.), sign on (v.)
No hyphen in verb. Note hyphenation in phrases such as *single sign-on authentication*.

### since, because
Use *since* to mean *during the period subsequent to the time when*. Use *because* to mean *for the reason that*.

> Correct: It's been five hours since you checked your email.
> Correct: Because you made a backup copy, you didn't lose your work.
> Incorrect: Since you made a backup copy, you didn't lose your work.

### so-called (adj.)
Don't italicize or use quotation marks around terms following *so-called*.

### soft copy
Avoid; use a term such as *file* or *electronic document*.

### switch (v.)
OK to use to mean *change* or *substitute*.

> You can have more than one music library and switch between them.
> The table includes key commands for switching modes and showing inspectors.

Don't use *switch on or off* or *toggle* to mean *turn on or off*.

> Correct: You can turn the Accent setting on or off for each drum sound.
> Incorrect: You can switch the Accent setting on or off for each drum sound.
> Incorrect: You can toggle the Accent setting for each drum sound.

See also [slide (v.)](voice-and-tone.md#slide-v); [switch (n.)](ui-elements.md#switch-n); [toggle (v.)](voice-and-tone.md#toggle-v).

### switch on, switch off
Don't use *switch on*, *switch off*, *power down*, *power off*, *power on*, or *power up* in user materials; use *turn on* and *turn off*. See also [turn on, turn off](voice-and-tone.md#turn-on-turn-off).

### that
See [voice-and-tone.md](voice-and-tone.md#that).

### theater
Not *theatre*.

### third party (n.), third-party (adj.)
The adjective is hyphenated. Don't use *3rd-party*, *3P*, or other shortened forms.

> You can use certain third-party products with the Find My app.

If your audience may not be familiar with the term, you can use *not made by Apple*, *from other companies*, or similar wording.

### through
Use *through* in time and number ranges to clearly indicate that you mean up to and including the second time or number. *From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.* and *from 9 a.m. through 5 p.m.* differ in nuance—*to* could be interpreted as exclusive of 5 p.m.

### tune in to
Three words. See also [into, in to](#into-in-to).

### Türkiye
Use this spelling for the country name, not *Turkey*.

### uninstall
OK to use *uninstall* and *uninstaller*. See also [install](apple-features-software.md#install).

### unique
Means *one of a kind*. Don't use such expressions as *more unique*, *most unique*, *very unique*.

### upward
Not *upwards*.

### versus
Not *vs*. Rewrite to avoid using *versus* when possible.

### via
Don't use unless space is tight. Instead, use *by*, *from*, *through*, *using*, or *with*.

*Exception:* OK to use *via* in names of features such as *Emergency SOS via satellite*.

### vs.
Don't use; use *versus* when absolutely necessary, but rewrite to avoid the term when possible.

### want
See [voice-and-tone.md](voice-and-tone.md#want).

### wellbeing
One word (exception to *Merriam-Webster*).

### whether
See [if, whether](voice-and-tone.md#if-whether).

### wish
Don't use; use *want*. See also [want](voice-and-tone.md#want).

### invoice
A document issued by a seller to a buyer listing the goods or services supplied and stating the sum of money due. If payment hasn't been made, use *invoice* and not *receipt*. See also [receipt](#receipt).
