You’re writing a cover or thank you letter. You mention a challenge and say, “This didn’t phase me because…,” and then proceed to explain.
But wait, should you have said phase or faze?
What does it mean not to be phased?
Faze and Phase Are Homophones
Homophones are words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings. They don’t hurt you when you’re talking. However, it would be best to be hyper-aware of them when you write because spell checkers don’t catch homophone usage errors.
Interestingly, faze and phase don’t make the list of most commonly confused homophones. Yet I promise you, they regularly trip up job seekers!
Some recruiters and hiring managers forgive job seekers’ mistakes that spell checkers don’t catch. Others aren’t so reasonable.
How Job Seekers Misuse Phase and Faze
As in the example above, I usually see people write “phase” when they should have written “faze.”
Is Faze a Word?
It sure is! Here’s how the Google dictionary defines it:
To disturb or disconcert.
How to Use Faze in a Sentence
If you want to convey that a situation doesn’t disturb you, say you aren’t fazed by it.
Phase Defined
Here’s what the Google dictionary tells us about phase:
A distinct period or stage in a series of events,
or a process of change or development.
How to Use Phase in a Sentence
The moon has phases.
Do You Have to Use a Homophone?
Be aware of homophones when you write.
If you’re not sure about the correct word, ask Google.
You can also punt and use a different word, like these substitutes for faze:
-
- That didn’t stop me because…
- That didn’t intimidate me because…
- I didn’t miss a beat because…
Why do getting phase and faze right matter? Because when you use words correctly, you’re more credible and make a better first impression.
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Everything That Matters About Cover Letters
Updated January 2025
© 2015 – 2025, Donna Svei. All rights reserved.
Donna Svei, an executive resume writer and former C-level executive, retained search consultant, and CPA, authors all of AvidCareerist’s posts.
She is a Fast Company Contributor and has written for and been quoted by 100+ business and general media outlets, including Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur, CNBC, the New York Times, USA Today, Time, US News & World Report, CBS, the BBC, Lifehacker, Social Media Today, IT World, and Business News Daily.
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