Itch vs. Scratch

Itch vs. Scratch Itch vs. Scratch Itch vs. Scratch By Maeve Maddox Confusion as to whether to use scratch or itch is evident on the web. For example, the video of a cat scratching its own back has the label, â€Å"Cat itches his own back.† A pet care site features the question, â€Å"If a dog is uncontrollably itching an area to the point of bleeding, what can you do to stop it?† Some people are concerned enough about the difference between scratch and itch as to ask about it at answering sites: Can itch be used as a verb? My girlfriend and I have been going rounds about this. She says you can itch an itch, but I say you scratch an itch. Ive read its a transitive verb, whatever that is. Let’s start with â€Å"whatever a transitive verb is.† A transitive verb takes an object. That means the action of a verb has a receiver. In the sentence, The man sang a song, the action is â€Å"sang† and the receiver is â€Å"a song.† Many verbs can be transitive or intransitive, depending upon whether or not there is a receiver of the action. In the sentence, The man sang, the action is â€Å"sang,† but there is no receiver. The verb is intransitive. The verb itch can be used transitively or intransitively, but saying â€Å"I’m itching these bites on my arm† is not standard usage. So, if a person can’t â€Å"itch something,† when is itch transitive? Itch is transitive when something itches a person: The label in this tee shirt itches the back of my neck. As a noun, itch means the feeling on the skin that produces the urge to scratch. Used figuratively, itch means desire: She has an itch to travel. He has an itch for power. The verb scratch has more than one meaning, but the one that goes with itch is this one: scratch: transitive verb. to rub or scrape lightly with the finger-nails or claws to relieve itching. In standard English, itch can be used as a transitive verb, but not by the person who itches. So, scratch that itch, and cut out the T-shirt labels that itch your neck. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:What Does [sic] Mean?Time Words: Era, Epoch, and EonWhat the Heck are "Peeps"?