Tony Erikson Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Over the past few months I have noticed the use of the word addicting on more and more sites I visit. At first I thought it was just a grammar error but I have since seen the word is real. I thought of no better place than here to ask about word play. Do you use the word addicting or addictive? Is it me who's wrong in my use of addictive. I find cigarettes addictive not addicting. Could one of you lot explain when and if addicting should be used please? It sounds so wrong but I've noticed Microsoft recently use it in a game promo and that really did worry me. Is it more of an American word? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 I thought addicting was something that happened whilst doing something addictive, and addictive is when describing the thing that's addicting.. And if you can make head or tail of that, good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Erikson Posted May 7, 2011 Author Share Posted May 7, 2011 I thought addicting was something that happened whilst doing something addictive, and addictive is when describing the thing that's addicting.. And if you can make head or tail of that, good luck! They used the term "Addicting games". It just doesn't sound right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BettyBooHoo! Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 I would also say that something was addictive. Not heard anyone use addicting in replacement to be honest. I guess it's like 'Joe Bloggs hanged himself'. Naturally, I want to say 'Joe Bloggs HUNG himself' as it flows better, but I know it's wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeadingNorth Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Addictive is traditionally correct. The use of language does change over time. For Betty's benefit, I shall mention that "hung" is the correct word to use of any object except for a human being. I don't know why humans are described as being hanged instead; perhaps to point out that it means killing them, not just putting them on a hook for storage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 It's a bit like the word 'Buses'. I'd say it should be 'Busses', but that's another thing.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BettyBooHoo! Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Addictive is traditionally correct. The use of language does change over time. For Betty's benefit, I shall mention that "hung" is the correct word to use of any object except for a human being. I don't know why humans are described as being hanged instead; perhaps to point out that it means killing them, not just putting them on a hook for storage. Thank you - although that was the point I was making! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 I hate to be pedantic (but I'm going to anyway), addicting isn't a word... It's addictive.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeadingNorth Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 I hate to be pedantic (but I'm going to anyway), addicting isn't a word... It is now. The moment someone coined it, it became a word. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Spyda Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Anything with letters can be a word. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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