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'Dual' means having two parts or functions; 'duel' is a formal combat between two people.
Side-by-side comparison
"Dual" is an adjective meaning double or having two parts: "dual citizenship" = citizenship in two countries. Two components or purposes.
She holds dual citizenship in Spain and the United Kingdom.
The dual-screen laptop is popular among video editors.
The product serves a dual purpose: it moisturises and protects from UV rays.
"Duel" is a prearranged combat between two people, or any confrontation between two parties. Also the verb to fight a duel.
Alexander Hamilton died after a duel with Aaron Burr in 1804.
The two companies have been in a pricing duel for months.
The chess match felt like a mental duel between two grandmasters.
Common mistake
- •"A duel purpose product" when meaning two functions is wrong: "dual" is the adjective for two.
- •"Duel" is the formal fight between two people.
Trick to remember it
- •"Dual" has A for "and", two things: one AND another.
- •"Duel" has E for "enemy", a duel is between two enemies.
Quick rule
- •Does it mean double or two parts/functions? "Dual".
- •Is it a formal fight between two people? "Duel".
Did you know?
Duelling was banned in most European countries by the 18th century, yet it continued informally well into the 20th. The last legally-recognised European duel was fought in France in 1967. In the US, the Hamilton-Burr duel of 1804 is the most famous, it ended the political career of both men, one fatally.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
This phone has a _____ camera: one on the front and one on the back.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
In old stories, two rivals would fight a _____ with swords at dawn.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Related word pairs
One means to receive or agree to something, the other means to exclude or not include.
'Advice' is the guidance you receive (noun); 'advise' is the act of giving that guidance (verb).
'Affect' is the verb meaning to influence something; 'effect' is the noun meaning result or consequence.
'Aisle' is the walkway between rows of seats or shelves; 'isle' is a small island.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy