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Writer's pictureSteve Gamel

Edit This Grammar Lesson: Pedal, Peddle, Petal

Updated: Jul 18, 2019



While writing last week's blog, I used the word pedals in one of my sentences when, based on what I was discussing, I should have used peddles. Luckily, none of you saw it because I caught the gaffe in a self-edit before hitting the publish button.


Still, that incident got me thinking about how easy it is to make a mistake like that.


I certainly know the difference between pedal and peddle — and even petal. These are examples of homophones, words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. I just wasn't being careful.


To help you avoid confusion, below are the differences between pedal, peddle, and petal:


A pedal is a lever you control with your foot, like a pedal on a bicycle.


* I broke the pedal on my bike when I hopped the curb.

* My brother pedaled as fast as he could, but he couldn't catch me.


To peddle means to promote or sell something.


* It feels like everyone peddles the same products and services these days.

* John tried to peddle his handmade shoes across the country.


Petal refers to the leaf of a flower.


* Steve bought his wife a red rose with perfectly-curled petals.

* There was a single pink petal on the kitchen table.


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*STEVE GAMEL is the President & Owner of Edit This, LLC, a writing and editing services company located in Denton, TX. Steve handles anything involving the written word. Give him a call today to help give your business a clear voice.


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