Tenant is the correct spelling of the word while tennant (the one with two-letter ‘n’) is an incorrect spelling variation. The word tenant is used as a noun in two ways.
First, it means someone who pays rent to occupy a property. In short, it means a dweller or an occupant. Second, it refers to a person or organization renting to live or work. As a verb, it means to use a property as a tenant. Therefore, between tennant and tenant, always use tenant and never use tennant (a misspelling error).
When to Use Tennant
We never use the word “tennant.” Tennant is just a misspelling form of tenant. Remember, tenant is the correct word and tennant is never acceptable. Hence, always use tenant and never use tennant.
The following sample sentences show that tennant shouldn’t be used and tenant should be used:
Examples:
❌ The laundry room can only be used by tennants. (incorrect)
✅ The laundry room can only be used by tenants. (correct)_______________
❌ Commercial tennants need to pay bigger rent. (incorrect)
✅ Commercial tenants need to pay bigger rent. (correct)_______________
❌ As a tennant, you’re not allowed to keep pets. (incorrect)
✅ As a tennant, you’re not allowed to keep pets. (correct)
When to Use Tenant
Tenant as a noun has two definitions. First, it means someone who pays rent to occupy a property. Second, it refers to a person or organization renting to live or work. Furthermore, as a verb, tenant means to use a property as a renter. It’s worth mentioning that tenant as a verb is rarely used; it’s more common to use it as a noun.
Tenant as a Noun
Someone who rents a property
The tenant angrily complained about the black mold on the walls of his room.
We heard that there’s a new tenant coming next week in our building.
The landlady gave the tenant an extension for his delayed payment for rent.
A person or organization renting to live or work
Large commercial tenants live in the new building across the street.
There are many tenants who the landlord grills before they accept them.
A company applied as a tenant in our building.
Tenant as a Verb
To use some property as a renter
Someone tenants the last floor of the building.
A businessman plans to tenant two rooms for work.
Many office workers tenant an apartment near their workplace.
Tennant vs. Tenant: Which One is Correct?
Between tenant and tennant, tenant is the correct spelling of the word, while tennant (the one with two-letter ‘n’) is an incorrect spelling variation. Tenant functions as a noun in two ways.
First, it means someone who pays rent to occupy a property or simply an occupant. Second, it refers to a person or organization renting to live or work. Hence, when confused between the two, always use tenant and never use tennant (a misspelling error).
Tip: To help remember that the word tennant is wrong, associate tennant with “nn”—it’s a “nno nno!”
References:
Cambridge Dictionary. (n.d.) Tenant. In https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/ dictionary. Retrieved from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/tenant
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Online. (n.d.). Tenant. In https://www.ldoceonline.com/ dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/tenant
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Tenant. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenant
