Essay-Assay | Commonly Confused Words
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Master confusing words with ease

Essay vs. Assay

Essay

/ˈeseɪ/
A short piece of writing on a particular subject, often expressing personal views.

Examples:

I remember reading an essay by the novelist Hakuchō Masamune.I was reading an essay by Saleeby on Spencer.wrote Martin, "a critical philosophic essay selling like a novel.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

This word has no antonyms

Assay

/əˈseɪ/
An analysis or examination of a substance, usually to determine its components or quality

Examples:

The laboratory will assay the sample for lead content.We assay the purity of metals before they are manufactured.The scientists assay new chemicals for medicinal properties.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • Essay sounds like say which is about expressing ideas, which is what an essay does with words.
  • Remember assay has an a like analyze, and it’s about analyzing or testing something.
  • An essay is what you write; an assay is what you test or examine.
  • Think essay as in express, and assay as in analyze.
  • An essay may contain your personal opinions, while an assay is more about objective results.
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