Fourteen or fourteen: which is the correct way to write it?

Writing fourteen or fourteen is something that always raises doubts, since it is common to see both forms written around.

The Portuguese language and its particularities

You've probably already heard about how complex the Portuguese language is, with many considering it one of the most difficult languages in the world to learn.

And, if you are almost graduating from high school, or have even finished school, you know that this reputation is not for nothing.

This is because, when we talk about grammar, The Portuguese language can bring relevant challenges related to spelling, punctuation, conjugation and many other issues.

But, far beyond technical standards, our language is so complicated because of the absurd number of words that exist.

For the same object we can have several different names, just as a single word can have different meanings.

This variety is due to the country's culture, which is made up of a mixture of several cultures coming from each region of Brazil.

Furthermore, the language we speak here is influenced by different peoples, especially the Tupi-Guarani culture, European countries, and we are currently noticing a significant movement towards incorporating English into our language.

Therefore, mastering Portuguese is not a simple task, especially when we talk about rules and the correct spelling of words.

Today we will understand whether fourteen or quatorze corresponds to the correct spelling, in addition to seeing other examples of words that often leave doubts!

Fourteen or fourteen: how to write?

From the moment we learn numbers at school, there is a doubt that lingers in the minds of all students: after all, is it fourteen or fourteen?

Many believe that the spelling fourteen is not correct, due to the lack of similarity with the number four, while others swear that this is an informal spelling.

Therefore, it is common to see many people considering that “quatorze” is the correct spelling, since it is much closer to the word four, which defines one of the numbers in 14.

But is this perception correct? Is fourteen really an informal spelling?

We can already say that no, the word fourteen is not wrong, and much less can it be considered as informal writing.

This is because the word fourteen or fourteen is a classic example of words in the Portuguese language that have double spelling.

This definition indicates that the word has two correct spelling forms, therefore, both fourteen and fourteen are formally accepted in writing.

The reason for this acceptance is because none of the spellings are grammatically and semantically incorrect.

So, if you've ever had doubts about how to write 14 in full, know that both forms are correct.

This means that you can write in both ways on any occasion, including checks, essays, and documents.

Are there other words with double spelling besides Catorze or quatorze?

By now you understand that fourteen or quatorze are correct spellings for the number 14, and can be used formally without any distinction.

But did you know that this is not the only word in the Portuguese language that has a double spelling?

There are many words in our language that have more than one correct spelling, without any change in meaning.

We will now see some examples.

Eggplant or Aubergine;
Whistle or Whistle;
Diabetes or Diabetes;
Derail or Derail;
Thermoelectric or Thermoelectric;
Chaff or Xucro;
Drunk or Drunkard;
Caatinga or Caatinga;
Heart attack or Heart attack or Heart attack;
Great-great-grandson or Great-great-grandson;
Blonde or Blonde;
Everyday or Everyday;
Chimpanzee or Chimpanzee;
Gas cylinder and gas cylinder;
Percentage or Percentage;
Among many other examples.

Did you see how many words have double spellings? Some of them even change the way they are spoken.

These examples help us understand how diverse the Portuguese language is, and how often what we think is wrong is actually correct, being just a variation.

Tips for preparing for the Enem and university entrance exams

We have already solved the question about fourteen or fourteen.

This way, we already know that both spellings are correct and can be used.

Therefore, if you need to write the number 14 in full in the Enem or Vestibulares, you already know what to do.

But, this is not the only word in the Portuguese language that can play tricks.

This is because, as we have already mentioned, our language is quite complex.

Therefore, it is common for doubts to arise, especially in moments where pressure is evident.

However, it is worth mentioning that grammar is a very important point for doing well in the entrance exams.

After all, there is no point in getting the questions right and losing points in the essay due to incorrect spelling or punctuation errors.

So, let’s now look at some tips that will help you do well in the test!

Keep an eye on the grammar

If there is something that can make you lose points in college entrance exam essay, it is certainly a grammar error.

This is because incorrect words or words with letters swapped can give the impression that you do not master the language.

It is very common for candidates to swap "s" for "z", or "ss" for "ç", or even symbols, such as "~" for "^", and so on.

So, brush up on your grammar to avoid mistakes and ensure a good grade!

Study the requested structure

College entrance exam essays usually have a structure for correction.

Therefore, students who follow the structure have a greater chance of getting a good grade.

So, keep an eye on this issue, and look for writing models to study.

Punctuation is very important!

When we talk about texts that are difficult to read, you can be sure that punctuation plays a huge role in this issue.

This is because not including a simple comma, or including a full stop where it doesn't fit, can ruin the reading experience.

Therefore, study punctuation, as it is important to ensure that your text is understood.

These were our tips for doing well in the entrance exams.

Take the opportunity to check out more content about grammar, writing and entrance exams here on the website!

Roberta

I am a member of the O Administrador team and I produce content about career, personal finance, financial education, productivity, and professional development. My goal is to share clear and practical information to help readers with their day-to-day decisions.

September 25, 2023

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