Word Confusion: Co-op versus Co-opt

Posted November 25, 2021 by Kathy Davie in Author Resources, Self-Editing, Word Confusions, Writing

Co-op versus Co-opt (or Coop versus Coopt) is more than just a “t” tacked onto the end.

Co-op is short for the noun cooperative — it’s also an adjective and transitive verb that is all about a group of people working together.

Co-opt is strictly a transitive verb that takes for one’s own use.

Hmm, it sounds as if co-op and co-opt are opposites: the first is a group working together while the second is all about getting for yourself.

You may also want to explore “Co-op vs Coop vs Coup vs Coupe/Coupé“.

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 noir for you from either end.

If you found this post on “Co-op versus Co-opt” interesting, consider tweeting it to your friends. Subscribe to KD Did It, if you’d like to track this post for future updates.

Return to top

Co-op	Co-opt
Tri-County Farmers Co-op Market, in Du Bois, Pennsylvania, by Jack Delano is in the public domain, via Picryl.com.	Idea by Tumisu is under the Pixabay License, via Pixabay, and Two Hands Reaching is in the public domain, via Free*SVG. — Somebody is about to have his idea co-opted.
Part of Grammar:
Abbreviation; Adjective; Noun; Verb, transitive Plural for the noun and third person present verb: co-ops Past tense or past participle: co-oped, co-opped Gerund or present participle: co-oping, co-opping Alternate spelling: coop, co-operative	Verb, transitive Third person present verb: co-opts Past tense or past participle: co-opted Gerund or present participle: co-opting Alternative spelling: coopt
Abbreviation: Cooperative Adjective: [Of a game, especially a video game] Requires players to work together to achieve a common objective Noun: A cooperative society, business, enterprise, store, dwelling, program, etc. Verb, transitive: To place in a cooperative arrangement, especially to convert (an apartment or building) to a cooperative	Appoint to membership of a committee or other body by invitation of the existing members Divert to or use in a role different from the usual or original one Adopt (an idea or policy) for one’s own use Preempt
Examples:
Abbreviation: See all the below. Adjective: It’s a co-op arrangement. We’re forming a co-op group. In some states, you must be formed under co-op status to use the word cooperative in your name. Noun: No longer limited to co-ops and specialty stores, organic foods are now available in grocery stores. “Farmers have taken a huge cut in income and co-ops must help them,” he said. “Good governance practices by co-ops will help avoid such scandals,” he advised. Verb, transitive: Our building co-oped large appliances and basic medical devices for the use of anyone. The company co-oped sixteen interns this year.	The committee may co-opt additional members for special purposes. Social scientists were co-opted to work with the development agencies. The green parties have had most of their ideas co-opted by bigger parties.
Derivatives:
Adjective: cooperative Noun: co-oper, cooperative	Adjective: co-optative, co-optive, cooptative, cooptive Noun: co-optation, cooptation, cooption, co-option
History of the Word:
A mid-19th century abbreviation from the early 17th century, from the late Latin cooperativus, from the Latin cooperat- meaning worked together, from the verb cooperari.	Mid-17th century, from the Latin cooptare, from co- (together) + optare (choose).

Return to top

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.

Return to top

Resources for Co-op versus Co-opt

Apple Dictionary.com

Lexico.com: co-op

Murray, Jean. “How a Cooperative Business Works in the 21st Century: Learn about types of co-ops, advantages, problems, and taxation.” The Balance: Small Business.” 24 March 2020. Web. 16 Nov 2021. <https://www.thebalancesmb.com/how-a-cooperative-business-works-4800835>.