English 
español 
française 
italiano 
deutsche 
日本語 
polski 
česky 
svenska 
Türkçe 
Nederlands 
The cosmic confusion behind "constellation prize"
Lloyd Cooper 11/10/2024, 01:16
What kind of error is it?
This is a malapropism, where a similar-sounding incorrect word or phrase is used instead of the correct one.
Why do people make this mistake?
People make this error because the word "constellation" sounds similar to the correct word "consolation", leading to confusion. Such errors are common as they rely on phonetic similarity and are often used in speech.
What is correct?
The correct term is "consolation prize", which refers to an award given to someone who did not win, intended to console or comfort them.
Examples of correct usage
- She won a consolation prize for finishing in third place.
- Even though he didn't win the tournament, the committee awarded him a consolation prize.
- The contestant received a consolation prize, which helped soften the disappointment of not winning.
Recommended posts in 
Grammar
Why "less then" leaves linguists less than impressed
People often confuse "then" and "than" because they sound similar ... Learn more →
Brought to light: why "has brung" misses the mark
People often incorrectly apply regular verb conjugation rules or misunderstand ... Learn more →
Aim for precision: why "principle aim" misses the mark
People often make this error because the words "principle" and ... Learn more →
Why "would of" doesn't work: understanding the common mistake
This error arises because of the phonetic similarity between "would've" ... Learn more →