What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
initialed
Example
Please initial each page of the contract before signing it. [initialed: verb]
Example
The employee initialed the memo to indicate that they had read and understood its contents. [initialed: past tense]
sign
Example
Please sign your name at the bottom of the page. [sign: verb]
Example
The contract was signed by both parties, making it legally binding. [signed: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sign is more commonly used than initial in official or formal contexts. Sign is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while initial is less common and refers to a specific act of writing one's initials.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between initialed and sign?
Signing is typically associated with a more formal tone, while initialing is often used in internal or informal contexts and is less formal.
