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

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper 03/10/2024, 09:35

English.me team member

What kind of error is it?

Playoff birth or playoff berth. What's correct?

Homophone error

Why do people make this mistake?

People often confuse "birth" and "berth" because they sound similar and are homophones. "Birth" refers to the act of being born, while "berth" means a place or position, especially one assigned for sleeping or docking. When referring to sports playoffs, "berth" is the correct term as it signifies securing a position or spot.

What is correct?

The correct phrase is "playoff berth," meaning a team has secured a position or spot in the playoffs.

Examples of correct usage

The team was thrilled to secure a playoff berth after their victory.
With the win, they clinched a berth in the upcoming championship playoffs.

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