A few days ago
m d

Grammer question.?

Which is correct? Disorganized or Unorganized? is there a rule to when to use which? Does it matter? Is the difference regional?

Top 8 Answers
A few days ago
george

Favorite Answer

Usage:

The answer is ‘it depends’ on the meaning you are trying to get across. Here are the relevant definitions from the New Oxford Dictionary of English (1998):

disorganized not properly planned and controlled; (of a person) unable to plan one’s activities efficiently.

unorganized not organized.

Disorganized is strong and disapproving; unorganized is mild and may be neutral. Compare:

Her desk and papers seemed unorganized (but she could find anything she needed in a moment).

Her desk and papers were disorganized (and she could never lay her hands on what she needed).

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A few days ago
Anonymous
At the heart of the word unorganize, you have something that is not organic. But, however, over the years, this term has become interchangable with the word disorganize. There are differences however, disorganize can also be used as a verb, which unorganize cannot. I.E.: Bill disorganized Jim’s desk so he could not find his documents. You could not state that Bill unorganized Jim’s desk. It would not make sense.
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A few days ago
samuel s
The answer is ‘it depends’. Here are the relevant definitions from the New Oxford Dictionary of English (1998):

disorganized not properly planned and controlled; (of a person) unable to plan one’s activities efficiently.

unorganized not organized.

Disorganized is strong and disapproving; unorganized is mild and may be neutral. Compare:

Her desk and papers seemed unorganized (but she could find anything she needed in a moment).

Her desk and papers were disorganized (and she could never lay her hands on what she needed).

0

A few days ago
Expat Mike
They’re both correct English. If you want to split hairs, UNorganized is probably “more” correct just because its been around longer (1660s first use, as opposed to 1780s for DISorganized).

Possibly due to the French origins of the “dis-” prefix, disorganized seems more formal and “proper” English to me, but I really don’t know if there’s any tanglible difference between the two. As far as I know, its not regional.

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A few days ago
Madmunk
the weatherman says tropical storm Erin is disorganized. My desk is unorganized.

I would say a thing never organized is “dis”, a thing degenerated or that can be improved by intelligence is “un”.

I would use them that way and that is personal preference. it’s a personal (or editing) choice. Ain’t grammar fun?

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A few days ago
Liss
Here’s the definition of orgainized:

or·gan·ized (ôrg-nzd)

adj.

1. Functioning within a formal structure, as in the coordination and direction of activities.

2. Affiliated in an organization, especially a union.

3. Efficient and methodical.

And here’s the definition of disorgainized:

dis·or·gan·ize

Show Spelled Pronunciation[dis-awr-guh-nahyz]

–verb (used with object), -ized, -iz·ing. to destroy the organization, systematic arrangement, or orderly connection of; throw into confusion or disorder.

Also, especially British, dis·or·gan·ise.

So I’d say they’re both correct depending on the term you use them in!

…Hope this helps!!!=]

♥

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A few days ago
Gypsy
The prefix “dis” means “bad”, so if someone is badly organized you would say “disorganized”. If they were not organized at all you would say, “unorganized.”
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A few days ago
actormyk
let’s begin with “grammAr”
1