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Green apple 709 Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

Swathe vs swath

Swathe examples of use:

  • A significant swathe of popular opinion.
  • In fact, the swathe of material - about six yards long and two feet wide - is a saree, a traditional Indian dress.
  • The combine had cut a deep swathe around the border of the field.
Swath examples of use:
  • A significant swath of popular opinion
  • The combine had cut a deep swath around the border of the fields
Is there any difference between swath and swathe when used in the metaphorical sense of a broad stripe, for example "epidemic cut a deadly swath/swathe from country A to country B" ?
  

Top answer

In American English, "swathe" is a verb, meaning wrap in cloth. An "swath" is a strip, typically of land. The usage is different in British English.

— AlpheccaStars

  • In American English, "swathe" is a verb, meaning wrap in cloth.
  • An "swath" is a strip, typically of land.
  • The usage is different in British English.
  • The difference seems to be just alternate word spellings.
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1 Answers
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In American English, "swathe" is a verb, meaning wrap in cloth.

An "swath" is a strip, typically of land.
The usage is different in British English. The difference seems to be just alternate word spellings.

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