Vain vs. Vane vs. Vein (Grammar Rules)

For this edition of Grammar Rules, let’s look at a few homophones. One shows the direction of the wind, one describes a person who is really into their reflection, and one carries blood to the heart.

So let’s look at when to use vain, vane, and vein.

Vain vs. Vane vs. Vein

Vain is often used as an adjective to describe someone or something that is ineffective, worthless, and/or showing excessive pride in oneself. However, vain can be used as a noun when preceded by the word “in,” as in vain can refer to either a bad or unsuccessful result—or a blasphemous manner (for example, “taking the Lord’s name in vain”).

(How to Create a Protagonist Who Is Very Different From You.)

Vane, on the other hand, is a noun that is most often used to describe an object that is used to show the direction of the wind, though it has a few other meanings related to fluid and feathers.

Finally, vein is a noun that refers to a blood vessel that carries blood toward the heart or something that resembles such a vessel, like on a leaf or insect—or a water channel carved in rock or ice. Vein can also refer to a distinctive quality that makes something like something else (for instance, “in the same vein as Nirvana, Soundgarden was a Seattle band that played grunge music in the early 90s”).

Make sense?

Here are a few examples of vain, vane, and vein:

Correct: He was so vain he thought the song was about him.
Incorrect: He was so vane he thought the song was about him.
Incorrect: He was so vein he thought the song was about him.

Correct: The weather vane is pointed east.
Incorrect: The weather vain is pointed east.
Incorrect: The weather vein is pointed east.

Correct: While the cut hurt, she was glad she didn’t strike a vein.
Incorrect: While the cut hurt, she was glad she didn’t strike a vain.
Incorrect: While the cut hurt, she was glad she didn’t strike a vane.

Usually, I try to come up with a trick to keep these words straight in my head, but I’m not sure for this combo. Was thinking there is an “i” in “vain,” but there’s also an “i” in “vein.” Considered the “e” in “vane” standing for the eastern direction, but “vein” also has an “e.” So please drop a comment below if you have any tricks to share.

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No matter what type of writing you do, mastering the fundamentals of grammar and mechanics is an important first step to having a successful writing career.

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