Constant - use of this word in your classroom
Teaching Guidance
for 14-16
Restrict the word constant
to a single meaning
Teacher Tip: Take care how you use words, so that you don't say things that a moment's thought would reveal to be false.
For example, the owners of this gate meant regular
or perhaps frequent
.
It turns out that they certainly did not mean constant, unless the photograph lies. In the same way, we'd suggest that you don't use steady
, or other near synonyms, to mean constant
.
We'd suggest that you restrict the use of the word constant
to mean having the same value at all times, and don't use synonyms for the word. So:
Teacher: The speed is constant.
Teacher: The acceleration is constant.
But not:
Teacher: The speed was steady.
Teacher: It's a steady force.
