Beyond the Rhetoric

When you make another copy of all the pictures you have stored on your hard drive, did you make a back up or a backup? What about the actual act of making that extra copy? Did you backup that data or did you back up that data? While both “back up” and “backup” are vocalized exactly the same way, it is important to make the distinction when you are writing them down. So, which one should you use?

The English language being what it is, words and their usage are constantly evolving. I grew up referring to what I was playing on the Nintendo as video games (two words), but it is becoming increasingly common (and accepted) to see the term written as videogames (one word). I personally don’t agree with that particular change, but it is something that I have observed. Similarly, while it is standard practice to capitalize Internet, use the lower case internet is generally accepted too.

For now, and this may change in the future, the terms “backup” and “back up” are not interchangeable.

A backup (one word) is a thing. It is used as a noun. For example, I once wrote about the importance of having a backup computer. In the context of computing, you’d also talk about the backup copies that you have of your data. Outside of computing, you might come across a backup plan or a traffic backup. Police officers in trouble might radio in for backup.

To back up (two words), on the other hand, is an action. It is used as a verb. Again, the most common usage these days would be in the context of computing. You’re oftentimes reminded that you should back up all your data. If you’re in a parking lot, you might tell someone to back up into the parking spot. If you’re confused about something that someone said, you could ask them to back up and explain it to you again.

Realistically, most people aren’t going to fault you for using “backup” when you really mean to say “back up,” but you could fall into chipped mug syndrome. If you’re going to write anything, you may as well make the effort of being grammatically correct.

Do you have any suggestions for a future Grammar 101 topic? I’d love to hear them.

Tags: grammar, grammar tips, spelling, word choice

Filed under Freelance Writing.