ESEN
Which one to use?Intermediatenoun / verbnoun
PeervsPier
'Peer' is an equal or someone of the same rank, or to look closely with effort; 'pier' is a platform extending over water.
Side-by-side comparison
Peer
noun / verb"Peer" is someone of equal rank, age, or standing. "Peer pressure" = social pressure from people your age. Also the verb to look with difficulty: "peer through the fog".
The study was subject to peer review by three independent experts.
She peered through the window to see who was at the door.
His peers elected him as the representative for the student council.
Pier
noun"Pier" is the structure extending over water where boats dock or people walk. "Brighton Pier" = the famous seaside boardwalk. It is always a noun, never a verb.
They watched the fishing boats return to the pier at sunset.
The old wooden pier was closed for safety repairs after the storm.
Children were jumping off the end of the pier into the sea below.
Common mistake
- •"Her pier group influenced her" when meaning people of equal standing is wrong (correct: peer group).
- •The dock or platform over water is "pier." Fixed phrases: "peer pressure," "peer review," "peer group."
Trick to remember it
- •"Peer" has EER like "steer" (you steer alongside your peers).
- •"Pier" has IER like "tier", a pier is a horizontal tier extending over water.
Quick rule
- •Is it the person of equal standing or the verb to look closely? "Peer".
- •Is it the structure extending over water? "Pier".
Did you know?
"Peer review", having other experts evaluate your work before publication, was formalized as a scientific standard mainly in the 20th century and is now the cornerstone of academic publishing. In the UK Parliament, "Peers of the Realm" (Lords) sit in the House of Lords, historically people literally equal to the monarch in rank. Brighton Pier (opened 1899) is one of the UK's most visited attractions, a Victorian pleasure pier 524 metres over the sea with rides and amusements. The word PIER comes from Medieval Latin "pera" (a stone column supporting a bridge arch).
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
They walked to the end of the _____ and watched the boats sail in.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
She _____ ed through the fog, trying to see if the bus was coming.
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