Word Choice Disinterested vs. Uninterested

Word Choice Disinterested vs. Uninterested Word Choice: Disinterested vs. Uninterested Here at Proofed, we see plenty of linguistic mix-ups. However, few cause more confusion than â€Å"disinterested† and â€Å"uninterested.† It’s easy to understand why these words sometimes baffle even native English speakers, as they’re alike in many ways. Both are adjectives related to attention, for example, and the prefixes â€Å"dis-† and â€Å"un-† are sometimes used interchangeably. But â€Å"disinterested† and â€Å"uninterested† have importantly distinct meanings, so it’s vital to use them correctly in academic writing. Disinterested (Objective) The word â€Å"disinterested† implies freedom from bias and self-interest. When we want to take a neutral or objective attitude towards something, we would adopt a â€Å"disinterested approach†: Although he cared about the environment, as a scientist, James knew he had to address climate change disinterestedly. Uninterested (Bored) The word â€Å"uninterested,† by comparison, means â€Å"indifferent† or â€Å"bored.† Thus, if we simply have no concern for something, we are â€Å"uninterested†: Although Jane was a environmentalist, she was uninterested in the science behind climate change. The Prefixes: Dis- and Un- One way to remember the difference between these terms is to consider what the prefix at the beginning of each word means. The prefix â€Å"dis-† implies separation (e.g., disconnected, disjointed). So being â€Å"disinterested† is an attempt to look past your own interests: a deliberate attempt to adopt a neutral attitude. The prefix â€Å"un-† in this case implies a negation (e.g., unhappy, unknown). As such, being â€Å"uninterested† is the opposite of being interested: i.e., a lack of interest rather than a deliberate attempt to approach something without bias. Disinterested or Uninterested? As you can see, there’s a huge difference between the meanings of â€Å"disinterested† and â€Å"uninterested.† To make sure you use these terms correctly, remember the following: Disinterested = Neutral or unbiased Uninterested = Indifferent or bored If you can remember this, you should avoid errors in your writing. But since it’s easy to overlook these things, it never hurts to have a professional check your work. Try sending a 500-word sample to be proofread for free.