Firsthand vs First-hand
What’s the difference between them?
Firsthand
Meaning:
Having firsthand experience; based on one's own experience.
Examples:
1. I heard firsthand that she had just gotten engaged.
2. I got to experience the carnival firsthand.
3. I saw the accident firsthand from my front porch.
First-hand
Meaning:
Meaning is the same, but such spelling is mostly used in British English.
Examples:
1. I have experienced first-hand the effects of climate change.
2. We'd like to hear your first-hand account of what happened.
3. She learned the importance of hard work first-hand from her grandfather.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Firsthand
1. Direct
2. Personal
3. Experiential
4. Primary
5. Witnessed
1. Secondhand
2. Indirectly
3. By proxy
4. Derived
5. Inferred
First-hand
1. Direct
2. Personal
3. Experiential
4. Primary
5. Witnessed
1. Second-hand
2. Third-party
3. Indirectly
4. Vicariously
5. Unoriginal
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Firsthand", "First-hand".
1. In American English, it's common to use 'firsthand' without a hyphen.
2. If you're following British English conventions, remember to include the hyphen in 'first-hand.'
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
When should 'firsthand' be used?
'Firsthand' should be used to refer to personal experience or knowledge in American English.
When is the appropriate context for using 'first-hand'?
'First-hand' should be used to refer to personal experience or knowledge in British English.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
Yes, the two words share the same pronunciation and are often used interchangeably.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One common mistake is confusing 'firsthand' with 'first-hand'. It is important to remember that 'firsthand' is mostly used in American English, while hyphenated 'first-hand' is recognizable in British English.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. The journalist interviewed the eyewitness to get a __________ account of the events.
2. In American English, its common to say, I experienced it __________.
3. The explorer documented his __________ encounters with rare species in his field journal.
4. Sarah shared her __________ knowledge of the industry during the seminar.
5. The researcher gained __________ insights by conducting on-site interviews with the participants.
6. The actor provided a __________ perspective on the challenges of working in the film industry.
1. The journalist interviewed the eyewitness to get a firsthand account of the events.
Explanation: Firsthand is the preferred spelling in American English.
2. In American English, its common to say, I experienced it firsthand.
Explanation: Firsthand is the preferred spelling in American English.
3. The explorer documented his first-hand encounters with rare species in his field journal.
Explanation: First-hand is the preferred spelling in British English.
4. Sarah shared her firsthand knowledge of the industry during the seminar.
Explanation: Firsthand is the preferred spelling in American English.
5. The researcher gained firsthand insights by conducting on-site interviews with the participants.
Explanation: Firsthand is the preferred spelling in American English.
6. The actor provided a first-hand perspective on the challenges of working in the film industry.
Explanation: First-hand is the preferred spelling in British English.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.