English is a language that has many confusing words in its dictionary. Some words have the same spellings but pronounced differently, while some words have the same pronunciation but spelt differently. Moreover, some words have similar meanings, and it is quite challenging to remember them.
Today we are going to learn about two words that have the same pronunciations, but they have different meanings in a sentence and are called homophones.
Homophones are words that pronounce same (homo=same, phone= sound), but they have different meanings as well as different spellings. The words gage and gauge are an example of homophones that have entirely different meanings.
Gage is an archaic word that can be used as noun or verb. When gage is used as a noun it means a valued object deposited as a guarantee of good faith while when gage is used as a verb, it means to offer (an object or one’s life) as a pledge of good faith. Gauge is also used as a noun or verb and has a couple of different meanings. When the gauge is used as a noun, it represents an instrument that measures the actual thickness or size of something while when the gauge is used as a verb, it means to estimate or determine the amount, level, or volume of something.
Comparison Table
| Gage | Gauge | |
| As Noun | The word gage is used as a noun to refer to a valued object that is deposited as a guarantee of good faith | The word gauge is used as a noun to refer to an instrument that is used to estimate a physical quantity such as a rain dial, water gauge, fuel gauge, and other. |
| As Verb | Gage is also used as a verb in some sentences to refer to an offer as a guarantee of one’s good faith | Gauge as a verb means to estimate or determine the amount or volume of something |
| Usage | Gage is an obsolete word and rarely used today | This word is commonly used |
What is Gage?
Today, the gage is a word that you will rarely hear from someone as it comes under the category of obsolete words. However, it is sometimes used to refer to some valuable thing that is deposited as a pledge or security. For example, “I have kept my house as a gage in a bank”.
It is important to note that the usage of gage is not only limited to an item or object deposited as a surety, but it can also be used to refer to something that can be thrown down to challenge someone for a fight. For example, “The opponent throws up his gage in a fight”.
Sentence Examples
- She had to leave her house as a gage to pay her loans.
- Bring a sufficient gage to buy this land.
- The opponent threw down his sword as a gage showing his willingness to enter into a fight.
- My friend pledged a gage to purchase the new property.
- Can you gage what his reaction is going to be?
What is Gauge?
Gauge is a word that is used to refer to an instrument that measures the volume, the magnitude, or the volume of something. The word is used to refer to the actual act of measurement.
It is a device or a tool for measuring the physical quantity. For example, an air gauge can measure the pressure of your car tires.
Sentence Examples
- The rain gauge measured that, it rained at least three inches in the past week.
- The gas gauge is empty.
- Do you have an air pressure gauge in your car?
- The petrol gauge shows that about half liter petrol is left in your car.
- A poll was conducted to gauge the customer’s response.
- What gauge of wire do you need?
- The temperature gauge indicated that the liquid was boiling.
- The thermostat in the laboratory will gauge the temperature and control the heat.
- The pilot checked the fuel gauge repeatedly.
Key Differences between Gage and Gauge
- The main difference between gage and gauge that we often ignore is the spelling. Gage is a four-letter word while gauge is a five-letter word that has “u” in it.
- Both of these words may pronounce the same but have entirely different meanings. Gage is something valuable that is deposited as a guarantee of good faith, while gage is an instrument that is used to measure the physical quantity of something.
- Gage is an almost obsolete word that is rarely used in writing today while gauge is commonly used the word.
- As noun, the gage is a word that is used to refer something such as a pledge or glove, thrown down as a challenge in a battle while gauge is a standard of measure, an instrument to measure dimensions, volume, and thickness of something.
- As a verb, the gage is to deposit or give as a pledge or security while gauge is to measure or determine the capacity.
Conclusion
Gage and gauge are two confusing words of English Language that may sound the same but have entirely different meanings. In writing, one can be 99% sure that in which context the word is used. However, while speaking, there can be misinterpretation because both words have the same pronunciation. To clear the entire confusion, one must learn the meanings of both words. Gage is a word that has two meanings; one is an object that is deposited as a guarantee of good faith, and other is something such gloves or sword that is thrown out to show a willingness to enter into a battle. Gauge is a word that is used for an instrument or a device that displays the measurement of a system by the use of a needle or pointer that moves along a calibrated scale.