The confusion between segue and Segway comes from their pronunciations because they sound the same.
As a verb, segue means “to move without stopping from one topic, song, etc., to another.” It can also be used as a noun with the same definition. On the other hand, Segway is a trademarked name for a two-wheeled electric transportation device. While segue can be used as a noun and a verb, Segway can only be used as a noun, specifically as a proper noun. Hence, never use Segway as a common noun and always capitalize it.
When to Use Segue
We use segue as a noun and a verb. As a noun, it means the transition of moving smoothly from one song, idea, activity, condition, etc. to another. As a verb, it means to transition from one thing to another smoothly and without interruption.
Segue as a Noun
As the morning show continued, it was followed by a quick segue into a promo for a new upcoming TV show.
In the middle of a performance, the dance was interrupted by a segue.
During his speech, he made awkward segues.
Segue as a Verb
If you realize that you have been eating lots of junk food, segue into eating healthy foods.
Their inside jokes and funny conversation segued into banter about the elections.
The beautiful chord played by the pianist was segued into a perfect melody.
When to Use Segway
We use Segway only as a proper noun. It refers to a brand of a two-wheeled, self-balancing personal transporter used for enhanced mobility. It was founded in New Hampshire in 2001 by a company, and its name was derived from the Italian word segue, which means “follows.” Segway is a proper noun referring to a particular brand name; it should always be capitalized.
Segway as a Noun
The kid convinced his father to buy him a Segway as a vehicle he could use from their house to the grocery store.
In some countries, Segway vehicles are considered scooters but the government classifies them as “powered transporters.”
After being given counsel, the Segway, the famous two-wheeled vehicle which was once predicted to be the future of personal transportation, has stopped becoming a thing around 2020.
Segue vs. Segway: Which One Is It?
Segue and Segway are both correct words but are confused with one another. Segue functions as a noun and verb that refers to moving into another idea, topic, etc., without interruption. The verb refers to the action itself. Meanwhile, Segway is a brand of a two-wheeled self-balancing vehicle. It’s only used as a proper noun, so Segway should always be capitalized.
To remember which one to use, Segway has the word “way,” which we can use to associate it with “transportation,” “road,” or “vehicle.”
References:
Cambridge Dictionary. (n.d.) Segue. In https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/ dictionary. Retrieved from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/segue
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Online. (n.d.). Segue. In https://www.ldoceonline.com/ dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/segue
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Segue. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/segue
The New York Times. Segway to End Production of Its Original Personal Transporter. In https://www.nytimes.com/ Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/24/business/segway-pt-discontinued.html
