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."