en English es español fr française it italiano de deutsche ja 日本語 pl polski cs česky sv svenska tr Türkçe nl Nederlands

Why it's "headstone," not "head stone": unveiling a common error

Reviewed and edited by Anwar Kareem 30/09/2024, 02:01
English.me team member

What kind of error is it?

Head stone or headstone. What's correct?

spelling error

Why do people make this mistake?

People might make this error due to misunderstanding or misspelling the term "headstone," which refers to a tombstone or grave marker used in cemeteries. They might incorrectly split the word into "head stone" thinking it's a compound noun formed in a similar way to other such terms.

What is correct?

The correct term is "headstone," which is a single word referring to the stone placed at the head of a grave to identify the deceased.

Examples of correct usage

  • We placed flowers by the headstone.
  • The headstone was carved with intricate designs.
  • Family members gathered around the headstone for a moment of silence.

Recommended posts in Grammar

Why "itself" stands alone: unpacking a common mistake

Why "itself" stands alone: unpacking a common mistake

People might mistakenly add a space due to misunderstanding "itself" ... Learn more →

Tomato, tomatoes, but never "tomatoe"!

Tomato, tomatoes, but never "tomatoe"!

People often add an "e" at the end of "tomato" ... Learn more →

Why "playoff birth" needs a red card: the common mistake explained

Why "playoff birth" needs a red card: the common mistake explained

People often confuse "birth" and "berth" because they sound similar ... Learn more →

Why is it use to incorrect?

Why is it use to incorrect?

People often make this error due to phonetic confusion, as ... Learn more →