Revised as of
7 July 2023
Internet. Web. Not synonymous. Nope.
The Internet is the framework, a network of servers that holds all the information we find on the Web.
The World Wide Web, web for short, is the information, the pages, the websites. It’s YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Google. It’s the medium through which you access your email. Think of the Web as the car traveling the roads of the Internet.
The intranet is a more private Internet. One that is restricted to a particular company or organization.
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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| Internet | Intranet | Web |
|---|---|---|
Internet Connectivity Access Layer by User:Ludovic.ferre (Internet_Connectivity_Overview2_Access.svg) is under the CC BY-SA 3.0 license, via Wikimedia Commons. — The framework of the Internet. |
Students Learn Programming in a Programmer Analyst Course and Microcomputer Training Session at the Army’s new Computer Science School by Ronald Hoffman has no known copyright restrictions and is courtesy of the US National Archives, via Picryl. — The tight access to an intranet. |
Google Logo by mitzer_x94 is under the Pixabay License, via Pixabay. — Google is one of the best search engines to use when looking for information on the Web. |
| Part of Grammar: | ||
| Noun
Plural: Internet |
Noun
Plural: intranets, Intranets |
Noun
Plural: web, Web |
| Usually preceded by the
[Computing] A global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities, consisting of interconnected networks using standardized communication protocols |
[Computing] A local or restricted communications network, especially a private network created using World Wide Web software
[Computing] An internal network that makes use of internet technology |
This exploration of Web only addresses its World Wide Web aspects.
Usually preceded by the [Computing] A way of accessing information over the medium of the Internet
Short for World Wide Web |
| Examples: | ||
| The guide is also available on the Internet.
How fast is your Internet access? Yes! I have an Internet connection on this blasted island. Not all Internet servers are part of the World Wide Web. The Internet is also used for email, which relies on SMTP, Usenet news groups, instant messaging, and FTP. |
Many corporations and institutions communicate with employees or members through the use of a private intranet.
If a company grants access to their intranet to other companies or the general public, it is known as an extranet. Hannity’s new intranet will offer a dedicated space for employees to collaborate across departments and deliver intelligent search results, targeted content, and mobile access. |
Web 2.0 is the second stage of development of the World Wide Web.
“A new bill rocketing through Congress would give the president sweeping powers to police the web for national-security reasons” (Shenon). “Instantly eviscerated by bloggers, the clip was quickly pulled off the web — but not before it could be preserved for posterity” (Fallon). The Web, or World Wide Web, is basically a system of Internet servers that support specially formatted documents using a markup language called HTML. Web browsers make it easier to navigate the World Wide Web. The Web is just one of the ways that information can be disseminated over the Internet. |
| Derivatives: | ||
| Noun: ‘net | Noun: Web site, webcam, webcast, Webcast, webcaster, webcomic, webisode, weblink, weblog, weblogger, webmail, webmaster, website, webspace, webtoon, webwork, webzine Verb: web-enable, webcast |
|
| History of the Word: | ||
| 1970s, denoting a computer network connecting two or more smaller networks, from inter- meaning reciprocal, mutual + network. | 1990–95, intra- + (Inter)net | 1990, Tim Berners-Lee creates the World Wide Web. |
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 Internet vs Intranet vs Web
Apple Dictionary.com
Beal, Vangie. “The Difference Between The Internet And World Wide Web.” Webopedia. 24 June 2010. Web. n.d. <http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Internet/Web_vs_Internet.asp>.
Fallon, Kevin. “Paris Hilton’s Gay Grindr Gaffe and 8 Other Worst Moments.” Daily Beast. 19 Sept 12. Web. n.d. <https://www.thedailybeast.com/paris-hiltons-gay-grindr-gaffe-and-8-other-worst-moments-video>.
The Free Dictionary: intranet
Shenon, Philip. “Can Obama Shut Down the Internet?” Real Clear Politics. 18 June 2010. Web. n.d. <https://www.realclearpolitics.com/2010/06/18/can_obama_shut_down_the_internet_236156.html&gr;.
Pinterest Photo Credits:
Internet Word Cloud is Dave Braunschweig’s own work under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license, via Wikimedia Commons.
