Plaint vs. Petition — Which is Correct Spelling?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Munazza Shafiq — Updated on April 16, 2024
"Plaint" is the incorrect spelling of "petition," which means a formal written request, typically one signed by many people, appealing to authority with respect to a particular cause.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Plaint or Petition
How to spell Petition?
Plaint
Incorrect Spelling
Petition
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Visualize "petition" containing "ion," a common ending for nouns that imply action or condition.
Use the mnemonic: People Eagerly Telling Information To Influence Officials Naturally, to remember the spelling and purpose of "petition."
Avoid the misspelling "plaint," which could be confused with a legal term meaning a complaint or lamentation.
The word "petition" relates to "petitioner," focusing on the act of requesting or seeking help, fitting its definition and usage.
Remember that "petition" starts with "pet," like "petitioning," indicating a plea or request.
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How Do You Spell Petition Correctly?
Incorrect: The community group submitted a plaint to the city council.
Correct: The community group submitted a petition to the city council.
Incorrect: Many people signed the online plaint for cleaner streets.
Correct: Many people signed the online petition for cleaner streets.
Incorrect: They organized a public plaint to address the environmental issues.
Correct: They organized a public petition to address the environmental issues.
Incorrect: Her plaint for better school facilities gathered over 1,000 signatures.
Correct: Her petition for better school facilities gathered over 1,000 signatures.
Incorrect: He filed a plaint to request a change in local policy.
Correct: He filed a petition to request a change in local policy.
Petition Definitions
A solemn supplication or prayer to a deity or a superior.
In ancient texts, people would offer a petition for divine intervention during crises.
The right to make a formal request of authorities or governing bodies.
Citizens have the right to petition the government about grievances.
The act of formally requesting something from an authority.
The petition to reduce road noise was successful.
A request to a court for a legal remedy.
The lawyer filed a petition for the client's case to be reviewed.
A petition is a request to do something, most commonly addressed to a government official or public entity. Petitions to a deity are a form of prayer called supplication.
A solemn supplication or request, especially to a superior authority; an entreaty.
A formal written document requesting a right or benefit from a person or group in authority.
A formal written application seeking a court's intervention and action on a matter
A petition for review of a previous court's decision.
A pleading initiating a legal case in some civil courts
A bankruptcy petition.
Something requested or entreated
Granted our petition.
To address a petition to
Petitioned the king for a pardon.
To ask for by petition; request formally
Petitioned that the sentence be reduced.
To make a request, especially formally
Petitioned for retrial.
A formal, written request made to an official person or organized body, often containing many signatures.
A compilation of signatures built in order to exert moral authority in support of a specific cause.
We're looking to get 10,000 people to sign the petition to have the bird colony given legal protection.
(legal) A formal written request for judicial action.
A prayer; a supplication; an entreaty.
(transitive) To make a request to, commonly in written form.
The villagers petitioned the council to demolish the dangerous building.
A prayer; a supplication; an imploration; an entreaty; especially, a request of a solemn or formal kind; a prayer to the Supreme Being, or to a person of superior power, rank, or authority; also, a single clause in such a prayer.
A house of prayer and petition for thy people.
This last petition heard of all her prayer.
A formal written request addressed to an official person, or to an organized body, having power to grant it; specifically (Law), a supplication to government, in either of its branches, for the granting of a particular grace or right; - in distinction from a memorial, which calls certain facts to mind; also, the written document.
To make a prayer or request to; to ask from; to solicit; to entreat; especially, to make a formal written supplication, or application to, as to any branch of the government; as, to petition the court; to petition the governor.
You have . . . petitioned all the gods for my prosperity.
To make a petition or solicitation.
A formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority
Reverent petition to a deity
Write a petition for something to somebody; request formally and in writing
A formal written request made to an official person or organized body, often signed by many people.
The petition for extending library hours was signed by hundreds of students.
Petition Meaning in a Sentence
We signed a petition asking for longer recess times.
Our neighborhood petition to install a new playground was approved.
The petition to have healthier meals in the cafeteria gathered many signatures.
The class wrote a petition to start a recycling program at school.
They're circulating a petition to have safety lights installed at the crosswalk.
Students often create petitions to bring changes to their schools.
She started a petition to save the old library from being torn down.
Signing a petition is one way to show support for a cause you care about.
The mayor responded positively to the petition for more public parks.
A petition can be a powerful tool for community change.
The petition to repair broken roads in our town was successful.
The petition against unnecessary school tests was brought up at the school board meeting.
Our petition to the principal included suggestions for improving the school library.
The petition for more bike lanes was discussed during the city council meeting.
They submitted a petition to have the historical site preserved.
The online petition quickly gained thousands of supporters from around the country.
By starting a petition, they hoped to draw attention to environmental issues in their area.
A petition was created to ask for funding to refurbish the local museum.
If you believe in a cause, starting a petition is a good step toward action.
Everyone in the club signed the petition to extend the hours of the community center.
Petition Idioms & Phrases
Circulate a petition
To distribute a petition for signing by the public.
Activists circulated a petition to stop the construction of the new factory.
File a petition
To formally submit a request, often to a court or government.
The attorney filed a petition to appeal the court decision.
Petition for redress
To formally request correction or compensation for a grievance.
They petitioned for redress when their land was taken without fair compensation.
Sign a petition
To put one's name on a document asking for some form of action.
Many concerned citizens signed the petition to address traffic safety in the neighborhood.
Grant a petition
To accept and act upon a request or petition.
The school board granted the petition to include more arts education in the curriculum.
Petition against
To formally oppose or protest something through a petition.
There was a large petition against the proposed increase in taxes.
Petition the court
To make a formal plea to the court for a specific judicial action.
The defendant petitioned the court for a retrial.
Launch a petition
To start a new petition drive.
The community group launched a petition to improve local healthcare services.
Present a petition
To officially submit a petition to a governing body or authority.
They presented the petition to the city council with over 5,000 signatures.
Petition for bankruptcy
To formally request the legal declaration of bankruptcy.
The company had no choice but to petition for bankruptcy after failing to restructure its debts.
Common Curiosities
How is "petition" used in a sentence?
"Petition" is used to describe the act of making a formal request. e.g., They filed a petition to change the local law.
What is a stressed syllable in "petition"?
The stressed syllable in "petition" is the second syllable, "ti."
What is the pronunciation of "petition"?
"Petition" is pronounced as /pəˈtɪʃən/.
How do we divide "petition" into syllables?
Petition is divided into syllables as "pe-ti-tion."
What is the root word of "petition"?
The root word of "petition" is the Latin word "petere," meaning to seek or go towards.
How many syllables are in petition?
There are three syllables in "petition."
What is the first form of "petition"?
The first form is "petition."
What is the second form of "petition"?
The second form is "petitioned."
Why is it called petition?
It is called "petition" because it comes from the Latin "petitionem," meaning a request or entreaty, reflecting its function as a formal plea or request.
What is another term for "petition"?
Another term for "petition" could be "appeal" or "request."
What is the plural form of "petition"?
The plural form is "petitions."
Is "petition" an adverb?
No, "petition" is not an adverb.
Which vowel is used before "petition"?
The vowel used before "petition" depends on the context of the sentence; there is no specific vowel that consistently precedes it.
What is the verb form of "petition"?
The verb form of "petition" is "petition," as in "to petition."
What is the singular form of "petition"?
The singular form is "petition."
What is the opposite of "petition"?
The opposite of "petition" might be "decree" or "order," where the action is initiated by authority rather than requested by individuals.
Is "petition" an abstract noun?
Yes, "petition" as a noun is abstract, representing the concept of a request or appeal.
Is "petition" a collective noun?
No, "petition" is not typically used as a collective noun.
Is the "petition" term a metaphor?
"Petition" can be used metaphorically to represent any plea or request, not just a formal document.
Is the word “petition” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
As a noun, "petition" can serve as a direct object, as in "He submitted a petition."
Which determiner is used with "petition"?
Determiners such as "a," "the," "this," and "each" can be used with "petition," depending on the context.
Is "petition" a negative or positive word?
"Petition" is neutral; it can be seen in a positive or negative light depending on the context.
Is "petition" a vowel or consonant?
The word "petition" starts with a consonant sound.
Is "petition" a countable noun?
Yes, "petition" is a countable noun; you can have one or multiple petitions.
Is the word "petition" imperative?
As a verb, "petition" can be used in the imperative mood, as in "Petition the government for redress."
Which preposition is used with "petition"?
Common prepositions used with "petition" include "for" and "to," as in "petition for help" and "petition to the government."
What is the third form of "petition"?
The third form is also "petitioned."
What part of speech is "petition"?
"Petition" is a noun and can also be used as a verb.
Is "petition" a noun or adjective?
"Petition" is primarily a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
Is the word "petition" a Gerund?
When using "petitioning," it serves as a gerund, the noun form of the verb.
Which conjunction is used with "petition"?
Conjunctions such as "and" and "or" can be used when discussing multiple aspects of petitioning, e.g., "Petition to change the law and improve conditions."
Which article is used with "petition"?
The articles "a," "an," and "the" can be used with "petition," depending on whether a specific or nonspecific petition is being referred to.
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Written by
Munazza Shafiq
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
