In the world of English grammar, certain words can trip us up, especially when they sound similar but have different spellings and meanings.
One such pair is “questionnaire” and “questionaire.” While many people might mistakenly believe these words are interchangeable, only one of them is correct.
This article will clarify the differences between the two, provide practical examples, and guide you in using the right term in your writing and speech.
Definition and Usage
To start, let’s define “questionnaire” and discuss its correct usage.
What Does “Questionnaire” Mean?
Definition:
A “questionnaire” is a set of written questions designed to gather information from respondents. It is often used in surveys, research, and assessments to collect data.
Examples:
- ✅ “The researcher distributed a questionnaire to gather opinions on climate change.”
- ✅ “Please fill out this questionnaire to help us improve our services.”
- ✅ “The questionnaire consisted of multiple-choice and open-ended questions.”
What Does “Questionaire” Mean?
Definition:
“Questionaire” is an incorrect spelling of “questionnaire.” It does not have any accepted meaning in English and is considered a typographical error.
Side-by-Side Comparison
To help you understand the difference more clearly, here’s a comparison of the correct term “questionnaire” versus the incorrect spelling “questionaire.”
| Correct (Questionnaire) | Incorrect (Questionaire) |
| ✅ “The questionnaire was easy to complete.” | ❌ “The questionaire was easy to complete.” |
| ✅ “We will analyze the responses from the questionnaire.” | ❌ “We will analyze the responses from the questionaire.” |
| ✅ “Participants were asked to complete the questionnaire.” | ❌ “Participants were asked to complete the questionaire.” |
| ✅ “The final results will be published in the report based on the questionnaire.” | ❌ “The final results will be published in the report based on the questionaire.” |
| ✅ “I found a questionnaire online that assesses personality types.” | ❌ “I found a questionaire online that assesses personality types.” |
As you can see, “questionnaire” is the only correct spelling that should be used.
When to Use “Questionnaire“
You should use “questionnaire” in any context involving surveys, research, or assessments. Here are a few examples:
Casual Conversation:
- ✅ “I just filled out a questionnaire about my favorite movies.”
Formal Writing:
- ✅ “The questionnaire was developed to assess the efficacy of the new program.”
Research Context:
- ✅ “The results from the questionnaire will be analyzed to inform future studies.”
In these instances, “questionnaire” is used to refer specifically to a set of questions designed to gather information.
Why You Should Avoid “Questionaire”
Using “questionaire” is incorrect, as it does not exist in the English language. It is essential to spell “questionnaire” correctly to convey your message clearly and professionally.
Common Mistake Example:
- ❌ “The questionaire was sent out last week.”
Correction:
- ✅ “The questionnaire was sent out last week.”
Using the incorrect spelling can confuse your audience and undermine the credibility of your writing.
Everyday Usage Examples
Let’s put the term “questionnaire” into practical examples to see how it can be used in everyday situations:
- ✅ “I received a questionnaire in my email about my shopping habits.”
- ✅ “The school created a questionnaire to gather feedback from parents.”
- ✅ “He completed a health questionnaire before his annual check-up.”
- ✅ “The organization used the questionnaire to better understand community needs.”
- ✅ “I always try to give honest answers on questionnaires to contribute to research.”
Conclusion
Understanding the correct spelling and usage of “questionnaire” is essential for clear communication in both written and spoken English. “Questionaire” is simply an incorrect form that should be avoided.
By using “questionnaire” properly, you can effectively convey your ideas and gather information in a professional manner.
So, the next time you’re faced with a set of questions designed for a survey, remember: it’s a questionnaire, not a questionaire!
