Revised as of
8 July 2023
This was my own curiosity. I keep seeing it used in all three forms, and I’m OCD enough that I need to know. So, who knew? I did like the argument that Dictionary.com made about the difference between log in and login, and you know us editor types. We love to make those minute distinctions!
Word Confusions . . .
. . . started as my way of dealing with a professional frustration with properly spelled words that were out of context in manuscripts I was editing as well as books I was reviewing. It evolved into a sharing of information with y’all. I’m hoping you’ll share with us words that have been a bête noire for you from either end.
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| Log In | Log-In | Login |
|---|---|---|
Log-in Window is a self-taken-screenshot by User:TheChampionMani234 and is in the public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. |
Phishing Login is Albaniaman’s own work under the CC BY-SA 3.0 license, via Wikimedia Commons. — It’s a login screen. |
|
| Part of Grammar: | ||
| Phrasal verb AND Intransitive verb
Third person present verb: logs in |
Hyphenated compound word
Noun Plural: log-ins |
Compound word
You cannot say you have loginned, and you are never in the process of loginning, so it’s a NOUN Plural: logins |
| Go through the procedures to begin use of a computer, database, or system | Acceptable (see login) | The act or ability of logging in to a database, mobile device, or computer, especially a multiuser computer or a remote or networked computer system
A username and password that allows a person to log in to a computer system, network, mobile device, or user account |
| Examples: | ||
| Visit our website and log in to find out more.
You’ll have to log in to learn more. Register now and then log in. Please log in with your work or school account. |
You’ll need a log-in.
What’s your email log-in? It’s safe. It’s a customer secure log-in page. You’ll need to create a log-in to download those JPGs. |
You’ll need a login.
What’s your email login? It’s safe. It’s a customer secure login page. You’ll need to create a login to download those JPGs. |
| Phrasal Verb | ||
| log on | log-on | logon |
| History of the Word: | ||
| The first known use was in 1962. | The first known use was in 1975. | |
C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!
Satisfy your curiosity about other Word Confusions on its homepage or more generally explore the index of self-editing posts. You may also want to explore Book Layout & Formatting Ideas, Formatting Tips, Grammar Explanations, Linguistics, Publishing Tips, the Properly Punctuated, Writing Ideas and Resources, and Working Your Website.
Resources for Log In vs Log-In vs Login
Apple Dictionary.com
Dictionary.com: login
Merriam-Webster: log in, log-in
Pinterest Photo Credits:
Login Register Window by AchinVerma is in the public domain, via Pixabay.
