“En mass” or “en masse”: which is correct?
en masse
The short answer
The correct phrase is en masse, which is the French term used in English to indicate a collective action or gathering.
Spelling/usage error
Why people get it wrong
The error occurs because en mass is a phonetic misspelling of the correct French phrase en masse, which means in a group or all together. English speakers unfamiliar with French spelling and pronunciation may drop the final e because it is silent, leading to the misspelling.
Examples with en masse
- The protesters marched en masse to the city hall.
- The products were shipped en masse to the distribution center.
- Fans left the stadium en masse after the game ended.
Quick check
The protesters marched to the city hall.
The correct phrase is en masse, which is the French term used in English to indicate a collective action or gathering.
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