Northen vs. Northern: Which is Correct?

"Northen" is the incorrect spelling of "northern."
"Northern" typically refers to the direction or region situated toward the north, which is the cardinal direction opposite to south. It can also be used to describe areas, climates, or cultures located in the northern part of a country or region.

For example...

✅ The northern lights painted a mesmerizing display across the Arctic sky.

❌ The northen lights painted a mesmerizing display across the Arctic sky.

In this sentence, "northern" is an adjective that describes the lights or phenomena occurring in the northern part of a geographical region, specifically referring to the northern lights, which are often visible in polar regions such as the Arctic.

Northern

Part of Speech: Adjective and Noun

Definition:

Located in, facing, or moving toward the north.
- Example: The northern cities tend to have harsher winters than the southern ones.
Coming from the north.
- Example: A cold northern wind blew through the town.
Of or relating to a specific region of the north.
- a. Used geographically, the definition of "northern" depends on the context. It can refer to:
  - A nation (e.g., Northern Ireland, Northern Italy).
  - A state or province (e.g., the Northern states of the US, the Northern Cape in South Africa).
  - A smaller region within a state or province (e.g., the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia).
- b. Used culturally, it can refer to:
Traditions, customs, or characteristics associated with a specific northern region.
A group of people identified with these traditions.
Located north of the celestial equator or zodiac. (Astrology)
- Example: The Big Dipper is a well-known northern constellation.

Noun:

A person living in a northern region or country.
- Example: Many northerners migrated south in search of warmer weather.

Examining the graph below, we can see that the word "northern" is used to a greater degree than "northen." Recently, since the 2000s, the use of "northern" has been on a downward trend.

How do we pronounce northern?

In American English, "northern" is pronounced nor·thrn.

In British English, "northern" is pronounced naw·thn.

Additional notes:
These are just the standard pronunciations, and there may be slight variations depending on regional accents and individual speech patterns.

Check out our other related blogposts:

🖊️ Orientating Definition and Examples
🖊️ Toward vs. towards

Why does the misspelling of northern as northen occur?

Phonetic Misspelling:

Some people might be influenced by the pronunciation of "northern," where the "r" can sometimes be barely audible, especially in casual speech. This can lead to a mistaken impression that the "r" isn't part of the spelling.
Some accents, particularly non-native English speakers, might pronounce the word closer to "northen," further reinforcing the misspelling.

Common misspellings of "northern" may include:

nothern
norhtern
norrthern
norther
northeren

Example sentences for the misuse of the word northern as northen

It's crucial to note that "northen" is an incorrect spelling; the correct term is "northern," especially when referring to geographical locations or phenomena associated with the northern regions of the world.
The travel guide urgently corrected the typo, emphasizing that the enchanting glow in the sky should be attributed to the "northern lights" and not the misspelled "northen lights."
In academic writing, it is imperative to avoid the misuse of "northen" when discussing topics related to the polar regions, as the accurate term is "northern."
Language enthusiasts often cringe at the sight of the misspelled "northen," advocating for precision and adherence to the correct spelling, which is "northern."
The geography professor took a moment to address the common error, reminding students that the correct term for the upper part of a region is "northern," not the frequently mistaken "northen."

Example sentences for northern

The northern regions of Canada experience harsh winter conditions with freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall.
People from the northern states often find it challenging to adapt to the hot and humid climate of the southern United States.
The northern hemisphere witnesses longer daylight hours during the summer months due to its tilt toward the sun.
The northern coastline of Norway is renowned for its stunning fjords and dramatic landscapes.
Residents of the northern territories in Australia are well-acquainted with the unique flora and fauna found in their tropical environment.
In the northern part of the country, autumn transforms the landscape with vibrant hues of red, orange, and yellow as the leaves change colors.
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, create a breathtaking display of colors in the night sky near the Arctic Circle.
Polar bears are primarily found in the northern regions of the Arctic, where they rely on sea ice for hunting seals.
The northern wind brought a chill to the air, signaling the onset of winter in the high-altitude mountain range.
The northern border of the country is marked by a vast expanse of dense forests and pristine lakes, attracting nature enthusiasts and hikers.

Synonyms of northern

Northerly
Northward
Norther
Polar
Arctic
Boreal
Hyperborean
Frigid
Subarctic
Upper

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References:

Definition of NORTHERN

of, relating to, or characteristic of a region conventionally designated North; of, relating to, or constituting the northern dialect; lying toward the north… See the full definition

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