Follow us on Twitter Use our gadget on iGoogle Follow us on Facebook Chat about grammar Search this site
Grammar Lessons | Grammar Tests | Common Grammar Errors | Grammatical Terms | Easily Confused Words | Free Grammar Checker | Search | Contact Us

canvas and canvass - the difference




'Canvas' is heavy cloth.
'To canvass' means 'to survey opinion' or 'to solicit votes'.
 

The words 'canvas' and 'canvass' sound identical, but their meanings are very different.

Canvas

The noun 'canvas' (with one 's' at the end) refers to a heavy woven cloth of hemp, flax or cotton.  It is used for sails, tents and paintings.  The word 'canvas' is also used figuratively for the floor of a boxing or wrestling ring (i.e., they are often not made of canvas).

Canvass

The verb 'canvass' has several closely related meanings. It can mean:
 
To collect opinions.

Can you canvass the local area to determine the support for the bypass? 
To electioneer (i.e., to collect votes through persuasion of voters in a political campaign).

Mr Millar will arrange for Joan's team to canvass High Street and Bond Street on Saturday. We need as much support from the west side of town as possible.
To examine closely.

Penny canvassed every shop in Wigan before she found the right
shoes.
To ask around. 

The investigation team will canvass the neighborhood to see whether there were any witnesses to the crash.

Canvass Used as a Noun

Nowadays, 'canvass' is used as a noun to denote the processes above.

Examples:

Did your canvass of the local area succeed in determining the support for the bypass?

I heard Joan's canvass was postponed due to the storm.
(The noun 'canvassing' is more common than the noun 'canvass'. It can be substituted into both examples above.)
 
Select the correct version:



 
SS = SOLICIT SUPPORT 

Use the last two letters of 'canvass' to bring 'solicit support' to mind.

See also:

What are nouns?
What are verbs?
List of easily confused words

We need your help to improve Grammar Monster.

Do you disagree with something on this site?
Do you have any entertaining examples that would improve this site?
Do you have any pictures that would make our site more entertaining?

  Please tell us
  using this form.

Do you have a grammar question?

  You can ask us
  on our grammar forum.

Share Grammar Monster with others.

Delicious Digg Facebook reddit Stumble
Grammar Lessons | Grammar Tests | Common Grammar Errors | Grammatical Terms | Easily Confused Words | Free Grammar Checker | Search | Contact Us