Master confusing words with ease
Half-mast vs. Half-staff
Half-mast
/ˈhæf mæst/Examples:
The flags outside city hall flew at half-mast today.The ship's ensign was lowered to half-mast for the service.Schools across the state lowered flags to half-mast in mourning.
Synonyms:
This word has no synonymsAntonyms:
This word has no antonymsHalf-staff
/ˌhæf ˈstæf/Examples:
The national flag was lowered to half-staff to honor the victims.In mourning, city hall raised its flags to half-staff.Flags at government buildings were at half-staff after the announcement.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
This word has no antonymsWays to tell them apart:
- Half-mast and half-staff are both terms related to flag positioning.
- Remember, mast has an m and is used on maritime locations like ships.
- Staff sounds like ground, and is used on land flagpoles.
- Half-mast is typically used for nautical settings, such as ships.
- Half-staff is used when the flag is on land, not at sea.
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