{"id":5534,"date":"2021-10-25T06:00:51","date_gmt":"2021-10-25T11:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/?p=5534"},"modified":"2021-10-13T10:08:26","modified_gmt":"2021-10-13T15:08:26","slug":"envelop-or-envelope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/spelling\/envelop-or-envelope\/","title":{"rendered":"Envelop<\/em> or Envelope<\/em>: Which Spelling Is Correct?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever wondered whether envelop<\/em> or envelope<\/em> is the right spelling? If so, then today’s grammar article should offer some guidance.<\/p>\n

Both envelop<\/em> and envelope<\/em> are their own words with slightly different spellings and separate (but related) meanings. We’ll discuss the difference so you can use each word properly in your writing and speaking.<\/p>\n

The Difference Between Envelop<\/em> and Envelope<\/em><\/h2>\n

Let’s start with definitions. Envelop<\/em>, spelled without the \u201ce,\u201d is a verb (action word) that means \u201cto cover or surround something.\u201d<\/p>\n

Examples<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

In the morning, fog will envelop<\/u> the small farm at the top of the hill.<\/p>\n

He is a good man who envelops<\/u> people with warmth and compassion.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Envelop<\/em> isn’t used frequently in American English, which is why some people might mistake it for a typo or misspelling at first. When used correctly, however, it is a valid verb that can contribute to expressive writing.<\/p>\n

The word envelope<\/em>, with an \u201ce,\u201d is a noun that is commonly used to communicate something that envelops<\/em> something else. It is also the word for the flat paper container in which we send or ship something, such as a letter.<\/p>\n

Here is an example of envelope<\/em> (noun) being used correctly:<\/p>\n

I set aside the cash for my niece’s birthday in a colored envelope<\/u>.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

You probably already recognize the relation between the words we’re discussing. An envelope<\/em> (noun) envelops<\/em> (verb) its contents.<\/p>\n

Envelope <\/em>in Idiom<\/h2>\n

You may sometimes come across the idiomatic phrase pushing the envelope, <\/em>which means \u201cto exceed the typical limits of what is usually done.\u201d It is often used to describe innovation.<\/p>\n

Examples<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The civic engineers are pushing the envelope<\/u> of how recyclable materials can be used to build bridges.<\/p>\n

Chuck Yeager was pushing the envelope<\/u> when his test plane broke the sound barrier for the first time.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This idiom originates from aviation, in which the \u201cenvelope\u201d refers to the boundaries of a plane’s performance within the flyable portion of the atmosphere that envelops <\/em>the earth. \u201cPushing the envelope\u201d became a phrase for testing an aircraft’s speed and elevation limits within the \u201cenvelope.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pop Quiz<\/h2>\n

Now that you know the spellings and meanings for envelop<\/em> and envelope,<\/em> choose the correct usage in each sentence.<\/p>\n

1. I had to find a new [envelop \/ envelope] for the electric bill after I spilled coffee on the first one.<\/p>\n

2. A birthday card is supposed to come with an [envelop \/ envelope] that’s the right size.<\/p>\n

3. No matter how fast racecars get, competitive drivers will always be tempted to push the [envelop \/ envelope].<\/p>\n

4. I love the way silence will [envelop \/ envelope] a theater right before a symphony begins.<\/p>\n

5. If you stop by the post office, would you please buy a stamp for this [envelop \/ envelope]?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pop Quiz Answers<\/h3>\n

1. I had to find a new envelope <\/strong>for the electric bill after I spilled coffee on the first one.<\/p>\n

2. A birthday card is supposed to come with an envelope <\/strong>that’s the right size.<\/p>\n

3. No matter how fast racecars get, competitive drivers will always be tempted to push the envelope<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

4. I love the way silence will envelop<\/strong> a theater right before a symphony begins.<\/p>\n

5. If you stop by the post office, would please you buy a stamp for this envelope<\/strong>?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Stick Around for More Grammar Rules and Tips<\/h2>\n

We aim to make learning grammar easy with simple tips, articles, and reinforcing examples. We also look to clear confusion away from common grammar mistakes and misconceptions.<\/p>\n

If you want more grammar advice, we invite you to browse our archive of articles. Also check back for new topics each week. Remember too that you can leave us feedback or questions in the comments below!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Have you ever wondered whether envelop or envelope is the right spelling? If so, then today’s grammar article should offer some guidance. Both envelop and envelope are their own words with slightly different spellings and separate (but related) meanings. We’ll discuss the difference so you can use each word properly in your writing and speaking. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5534","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-spelling"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5534"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5534"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5534\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5535,"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5534\/revisions\/5535"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5534"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5534"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5534"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}