Grammar Clinic: The REAL Difference Between CANVASS and CANVAS

These two words are pronounced the same way and they have similar stress pattern. They also have almost the same derivatives.

A. CANVASS  (verb)

canvass; 3rd person present: canvasses; past tense: canvassed; past participle:canvassed; gerund or present participle: canvassing

1a. Solicit votes from (electors or members).

Example: In each ward, two workers canvassed some 2,000 voters

1b. Try to obtain (support).

Example: They’re canvassing support among shareholders.

1c. Question (someone) in order to ascertain their opinion.

Example: Early retirement was canvassed as a solution to the problem of unemployment.

Noun

2. As a noun, canvass means the act of canvassing.

Example: An house-to-house canvass.

B. CANVAS (noun)

1a. a strong, coarse unbleached cloth made from hemp, flax, or a similar yarn, used to make items such as sails and tents and as a surface for oil painting.

Example: The oil painting is beautiful on a canvas.

1b. a piece of canvas prepared for use as the surface for an oil painting.

plural noun: canvases/canvasses.

Example: They found a canvas and he seated his model.

1c. An oil painting.

Example: Turner’s late canvases.

1d. A variety of canvas with an open weave, used as a basis for tapestry and embroidery.

Example: She sent her needle stabbing in and out of the canvas.

1e. The canvas-covered floor of a boxing or wrestling ring.

plural noun: the canvas

Example: A thunderous uppercut sent him crashing to the canvas.

Verb

Canvas; 3rd person present: canvases; past tense: canvased; past participle:canvased; gerund or present participle: canvasing; 3rd person present: canvasses; past tense: canvassed; past participle: canvassed; gerund or present participle: canvassing.

1. Cover with canvas.

Example: The door had been canvassed over.