ESEN
Which one to use?Beginnernounnoun
PeacevsPiece
One is the absence of conflict or a calm state; the other is a portion or fragment of something.
Side-by-side comparison
Peace
noun"Peace" is the state of calm, harmony, or freedom from war and conflict. "World peace" = global harmony. "Peace of mind" = mental tranquility.
The peace agreement ended decades of conflict.
I just need some peace and quiet to focus.
She finally found peace after therapy.
Piece
noun"Piece" is a part or portion of something larger. Also a work or creation: "a piece of music" = a musical composition. "A piece of advice" = a single piece of counsel.
Can I have a piece of that chocolate cake?
The missing piece of the puzzle was under the sofa.
This piano piece was composed in the 1800s.
Common mistake
"Give me a peace of paper" when meaning a portion is wrong (correct: piece). And "I need some piece" when meaning calm is wrong (correct: peace). Test: "a piece of" (a portion) vs. "peace and quiet" (calm).
Trick to remember it
- •"Piece" contains "pie", you can have a piece of pie.
- •"Peace" contains "ace", peacemakers are the aces of diplomacy.
Quick rule
- •"Piece" goes with "a piece of" (a portion).
- •"Peace" goes with "peace and quiet" (calm).
Did you know?
"Rest in Peace" uses PEACE correctly, the Latin abbreviation R.I.P. comes from "Requiescat in Pace." The confusion "Rest in Piece" is so frequent online that it has developed its own dark humor: commenters note that "rest in piece" would imply the deceased is in pieces. PIECE also appears in "masterpiece" (the master work) and frequently in the error "piece of mind", which should be "PEACE of mind" (mental tranquility). If you want to give someone a piece of your mind, you are expressing your opinion forcefully, very different from peace of mind.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
All she wanted was a little _____ and quiet after a long week.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
Can I have a _____ of your chocolate? Just a small bit.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Related word pairs
AcceptvsExcept
One means to receive or agree to something, the other means to exclude or not include.
AdvicevsAdvise
'Advice' is the guidance you receive (noun); 'advise' is the act of giving that guidance (verb).
AffectvsEffect
'Affect' is the verb meaning to influence something; 'effect' is the noun meaning result or consequence.
AislevsIsle
'Aisle' is the walkway between rows of seats or shelves; 'isle' is a small island.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy