Difference Between Amend and Emend

Amend vs Emend

Amend and emend are two words in English language that can be very confusing for students trying to master it. The two words are quite similar in meaning and also sound pretty similar. However, the two of them cannot be used interchangeably in all contexts. There are slight differences between amend and emend that necessitate their correct usage in the right contexts. This article takes a closer look at these differences to enable readers to use these words correctly.

Amend

Amend is a verb that means to rectify, correct, or improve something for its betterment. If you think the word has to do something with amendments made by legislators in assemblies, you are right. This is because laws are amended to make them better in the interests of the people. Amendment is always done to remove a fault or to make a better, improved design of something.

• The management amended the rule to make it easier for the employees.

Emend

Emend is a verb that means to rectify mistakes in a written text. This is a word rarely used in our daily lives, and it is mostly confined to professionals concerned with writing and editing. If you are doing editing of a text, you are actually emending it.

• This article needs to be emended as it has many mistakes in it.

Amend vs Emend

• Emend and amend both mean improving and correcting something. But emend remains confined to written text only whereas amend can be used in many different contexts.

• Laws can be amended, behavior can be amended, and situation can be amended, and so on. But you can emend only a written text.

• If you are amending, you are altering something for its betterment.

• Amend is a word to remember as you can use it in all situations while you are stuck with emend only as far as written text is concerned.