Please, sign up or log in to not lose your learning progress!

Why "en mass" is a common phrase mishap

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper 02/10/2024, 15:22

English.me team member

What kind of error is it?

En mass or en masse. What's correct?

Spelling/Usage Error

Why do people make this mistake?

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.

What is correct?

The correct phrase is "en masse", which is the French term used in English to indicate a collective action or gathering.

Examples of correct usage

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.

Recommended posts in Grammar

Why "didn't have" is incorrect: understanding past tense

Why "didn't have" is incorrect: understanding past tense

This error often occurs due to confusion about using the ... Learn more →

Why you should never say "oftenly"

Why you should never say "oftenly"

People may mistakenly believe that "often" is an adjective and ... Learn more →

Why "say me" is grammatically incorrect

Why "say me" is grammatically incorrect

People often make this error due to confusion between the ... Learn more →

Why "a work out" needs a workout in grammar

Why "a work out" needs a workout in grammar

People often confuse the noun "workout" with the verb or ... Learn more →