DominANT versus DominATE

“First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.”

One of My pet peeves is the more recent misuse on the internet of the word “Dominate” as a descriptive word to describe oneself e.g. instead of saying “I am a dominant”, the trend by some is to say “I am a dominate”. The correct description should be EITHER “I am a dominant” (as in a person) OR “I am dominant” (the characteristic of your person).

DOMINATE is a VERB and a verb is a DOING word which is used to indicate an ACTION. It is a “to do” indicator e.g. “to dominate a person” NOT “to dominant a person”.

DOMINANT is an ADJECTIVE which describes a noun, the part of speech that NAMES a person, place, thing, or idea. Adjectives are usually placed just before the words they qualify e.g. dominant person.

Saying “I am a dominate” or “I am dominate” does not even SOUND correct in speech! You “can dominate” or you “will dominate” but as a person you are a DOMINANT!

Let Me give you another example. It is no different to saying “I am a teach” instead of “I am a teacher”. “Teach” is a VERB, a DOING word. “Teacher” is an ADJECTIVE which DESCRIBES the person. Back to the “to do” indicator e.g. to “teach a person” NOT to “teacher a person”.

Here is another one: “I am a law” instead of “I am a lawyer” – you can “practice law” but you can’t “practice lawyer”.

Or “I am a dig” instead of “I am a digger”.

Or “I am a build” instead of “I am a builder”.

Or “I am an educate” instead of “I am an educator”.

Or “I am a lie” instead of “I am a liar”.

Dig, build, educate and lie are all fine as “doing” words but not as adjectives (descriptive names).

I am sure you can think of plenty more examples.

There are some exceptions where the one word describes both the doing and the name e.g. nurse – “I will nurse you” (the doing – to nurse) and “I am a nurse” (the description – the name).

The word DOMINATE is NOT one of those exceptions!!!

I have now said My piece and I trust this clears up the confusion in the usage of the word “dominate” as a descriptive word instead of its correct use as an ACTION word.