Grammar Tips: Entitled or Titled

Tonight I posted an event on iowabizevents.com and questioned whether the word I wanted to use was "titled" or "entitled" when listing the name of the workshop. I had to look it up, and since I thought my choice was wrong, quickly edited it. So that's what this post is about.

Here's are a couple links exploring the difference between entitled and titled. I think many of us get this one wrong, but then again, I am more confused than before after reading some of the explanations.

• newsobserver.com
• PainintheEnglish.com
• On Target

Which is correct?

    She will be presenting a workshop titled...
                    -or-
    She will be presenting a workshop entitled...

Comments

[David]

The correct word is titled. Titled means the name of the object. Entitled means to have a right to something, like being entitled to liberty. Entitled also means to give a title to something. I can entitle my book "ABC" to give it a title, but the book is titled "ABC."

[Sandra Renshaw]

Hi David,

Thanks for dropping by. I appreciate the info. I've been using "titled" since I wrote that post, and it's good to have that verified. The interesting thing to me was all the different opinions and explanations on the sites I visited.

Sandy

[Christine Lowrey]

I am an English major teaching 3rd grade in a rural school. For several years I have been lamenting the fact that the use of "entitled" has been used incorrectly, but it has become so prevalent I began doubting my own conviction in this matter. Today, 11-23-08, I thought about using the internet to research it. Bingo! I KNEW I was oorrect, and now I will go forth and feel confident of "gently" correcting the errors of others (if I feel they will be receptive.) My own school principal "chastised" be a few years ago for pointing out his misuse of "entitled"--can you believe it? Well, now, I have the ammunition to prevail in the impossible quest to "right the wrong."
Christine Lowrey, Holtville, CA

[James Redford]

"Entitle" is the verb form of the noun "title."

[GF]

That is the correct and easy explanation!

[L.R.]

The use of “titled” appears to be gaining ground in journalism and business-speak, but “a workshop entitled ‘X’” is perfectly good English. (The word “entitle” used in this way is like “enthrone,” “enshrine,” or “entrap,” and semantically it has nothing to do with rights or entitlements.)

[chanel uk]

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