‘Lightning vs. lightening’: What’s the difference?

What is ‘lightning’?

Lightning is a natural phenomenon. It’s the brilliant flash of light seen during thunderstorms, which is caused by electrical discharge in the atmosphere. The correct spelling of “lightning,” with an “n,” doesn’t feature an “e” in it like the other word in this homophonic duo. Here are a few examples of “lightning” in sentences:

• A bolt of lightning illuminated the night sky.
• The lightning storm frightened my dog last night.
• Lightning struck a tree, causing it to catch fire.

What is ‘lightening’?

Lightening, on the other hand, refers to the process of making something lighter in weight or color. People often use “lightening” when discussing changing their hair color or lightening their skin tone. “Lightening” can also be applied to tasks or loads, indicating the process of making them less heavy or burdensome. Lastly, when talking about the weather, “lightening” may describe the gradual reduction of cloud cover or the sky becoming brighter after a storm.

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Here are some examples of “lightening” in sentences:

• She considered lightening her hair color for a new look.
• The movers were lightening the load by removing unnecessary items.
• The designers applied a lightening filter to the background image.
• After three days of rain, the morning sky is finally lightening.

Unlike the aforementioned “lightning,” the correct spelling of “lightening” has an “e,” after the word “light” and before both the “n” and the common -ing suffix.

‘Lightning’ vs. ‘lightening’: When to use each

To keep it simple, remember these rules:

• Lightning (with an “n”) refers to the electrical discharge during a storm.
• Lightening (with an “e”) relates to making something lighter in weight or color.

It’s easy to mix up these homophones, but with a little practice, you’ll be able to discern the differences between nature’s fury and reducing burdens or changing your makeup game. Correctly spelling these words is essential because using the wrong one can lead to confusion or miscommunication. Imagine writing about the “lightening” during the last thunderstorm when you actually meant “lightning.” Or perhaps you’re discussing in a report how to “lighten” the mood at a party but mistakenly use “lightning.”

These errors, while subtle, can show a lack of understanding. Whether you’re writing an essay, a social media post, or sending a work email, precision in language matters. Using proper grammar not only conveys your message accurately but also reflects your communication skills.

English may be full of similar words and homophones, but these writing tips can help you spot the difference between “regime” and “regimen,” or “principle vs. “principal,” and even how to navigate between an epigram, an epigraph, or an epilogue.