Today’s post is really interesting; I am going to discuss about one of the major issues in English vocabulary. The issue is dieing vs. dying. English writers, especially the new English language learners, are facing trouble with the correct word choice.
So, I will come up with the definitions and will provide you with a few example sentences to show the correct usage of these words.
Dieing vs. Dying – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?
Is it dieing or dying?
When you discuss dieing or dying, the third word that comes up in your mind would be ‘dyeing’. Remember one thing; dieing and dying are the confusing words that are related to ‘to die’. Dyeing, on the other hand, is something else. Let me discuss these words one by one.
Dying
If you are dealing with ‘to die’, then dying is the only word which can be correct to use. Die is used as a verb which means to pass away. So, you can use dying as the present participle form of the verb ‘die’. It can also be used as an adjective within a sentence. As an adjective, dying means ‘about to pass away or die’. For example,
1. Many people around the world are dying of hunger. (used as a present participle)
2. The patient was dying and I did not see any emergency specialist over there. (used as a present participle)
3. I can’t forget the dying moments of his emotional speech. (as an adjective)
4. She left her dying friend alone at home. (as an adjective)
Dieing
If you are dealing with ‘to die’, then you do not have to use dieing because this particular word is a misspelling. Most of the people use ‘dieing’ as the present participle form of the verb ‘die’, which is absolutely wrong.
However, dieing can be a real word which is related to a machine called ‘die-cut machine’. This is a machine particularly used for cutting or shaping out things. So, apart from this machinery process, you should not use dieing to refer to death.
Dyeing
The third word that comes up in your mind when talking about dieing vs. dying is ‘dyeing’. Just like dieing, this particular word has no relation with the verb ‘to die’.
Do not confuse yourself! Dyeing is only a present participle of the verb ‘dye’, which means to change the colour of something. For example,
1. Dyeing this dress would be much easier for me.
2. The beautician is dyeing her hair purple.
3. I love the process of dyeing.
Got the Difference?
It is clear now!
You should only use the word ‘dying’ when you want to refer to death. In this case, dieing is only a misspelling. On the other hand, dyeing is only related to dye i.e., the process of changing the colour of something.
Dying = related to death
Dieing = a misspelling
Dyeing = related to changing colours (Dye)
Conclusion
Do not mix up these three words i.e. dieing vs. dying vs. dyeing. They are not interchangeable. Dying is the only word which refers to death. Dieing is a misspelling if you are using it to refer to death. Dyeing is the present participle form of the verb ‘dye’, which means to colour something.