Forum Discussion
eLearning, E-learning, E-Learning or e-Learning?
Anyone know which is correct? 
32 Replies
- DavidAtkinson-dCommunity Member
It's been e-motional
- JanetCanaanCommunity Member
E-learning has been suggested by WCAG as the correct spelling, since screen readers may misread when it is all one word.
- MoxziDotComCommunity Member
While I am unable to see if/what WCAG has to say about the spelling (which doesn't mean it's not there, though https://www.w3.org/WAI/roles/writers/ didn't have ANYthing.)
- OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY - e-learning
- Cambridge Dictionary
- Any search result IN w3.org/WAI - e-learning
- My iPhone 13 (as Janet also says) - it read e-learning as expected but read elearning EL-earning
Which after 10 years of elearning ;) it's a hard habit to break.
Raph
- JoeFrancisCommunity Member
This reminds me of the nomenclature "debate" a generation ago surrounding the communication medium used to develop and deliver content, via computer, which incorporates a combination of audio, video, text, still images, animation, and interactivity. Is it "multi-media," "Multimedia," "MultiMedia," or "multimedia?" 😃
- WaleedAlaniCommunity Member
Grammarly.com indicates that using "elearning" (without a hyphen) is incorrect and recommends using "e-learning" instead. For titles and headings, Grammarly.com recommends using "E-Learning."
- MoniqueBabin-41Community Member
I agree with what others are saying about consistency being the most important thing. But for me, it boils down to the usage for other similar terms. When is the last time you saw "e-mail" or "eMail?" The simple spelling and case for "email" is now widely accepted. The similar spelling and case for "ebook" and other similar terms have now also become common.
I feel like it's time for elearning to follow suit, but this is just my personal preference. I have a hard time using the spelling and case "e-learning" or "eLearning" if I'm not also going to use "e-mail" or "eMail." - AtulShettyCommunity Member
I would say it is "eLearning", and I think my opinion aligns with what most people around the world are searching for - case closed! :)
E-Mail Vs. eMail - KimhofmannCommunity Member
Any update on eLearning, elearning, e-Learning? I'm updating my website and I wondered what is most accepted and also what might be best for SEO.
Thanks.
- NancyWoinoskiSuper Hero
I think the point of this discussion is that it doesn't matter what you use as long as you are consistent.
- JohnCurranCommunity Member
Nice image Nancy...and either works for me...as long as that capital 'L' doesn't make an appearance out of that crater!
- JohnCurranCommunity Member
Tried REALLY hard to resist joining in on this thread but as it's a term I have to use every day the inconsistency of use is annoying to say the least. Clearly like all languages English is constantly developing but making stuff up just so you can be consistent in your own organisation is not a brilliant way to go.
Hyphenation is an accepted solution in English for creating new hybrid words. E-mail and e-learning are examples where the hyphen has a role to play. See below:
"As ‘e’ represents ‘electronic’, e-mail is formed from two words, so this suggests that we should not then run one into the other to form ‘email’. It is a compound noun, where the first adjectival element is reduced to a single letter, just like T-bone steak and not Tbone!" Source: http://www.future-perfect.co.uk/grammar-tip/is-it-e-mail-email-e-mail-or-email/
Most dictionaries seem to use e-learning as the main entry but list other spellings too. Eventually these words might lose their hyphens - email for example is listed in the OED as email with e-mail listed as an alternative usage so clearly in that case the tipping point has been reached.
I personally prefer to keep the hyphen, for now at least, but what I really don't like (and Tom Kuhlmann agrees) is 'eLearning' or indeed 'e-Learning'. There is no precedent in the English language (wherever you are on planet Earth) for inserting a capital letter into a noun. This is something only marketing people do when dreaming up trendy new product names!
- NancyWoinoskiSuper Hero
:)
Personally, eLearning doesn't make sense. :) Seems it should be e-learning or elearning.
I use E-Learning in headings because it looks odd to not have the hypen with the big E small l.
- 10 Best Elearning Tips vs 10 Best E-Learning Tips
But I use elearning in the body text.
Related Content
- 11 months ago