audiobooks vs audio books

Both "audiobooks" and "audio books" are correct, but "audiobooks" is the more commonly used term in English. It is a single word that refers to books that are narrated and recorded in audio format. "Audio books" is also correct, but it is less common and considered slightly more formal.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 1046 views

This is the more commonly used term in English to refer to books that are narrated and recorded in audio format.

"audiobooks"

Use "audiobooks" as a single word to refer to books that are available in audio format for listening.

Examples:

I love listening to audiobooks while driving.
She downloaded several audiobooks for her long flight.
Audiobooks are a great way to enjoy literature on the go.
The library has a wide selection of audiobooks available for borrowing.
He prefers audiobooks over traditional printed books.

Show examples from the web [+]

Browse, search, and purchase music and audiobooks from eMusic
Now, I just download audiobooks, listen to 'em when I travel.
The term 'audiobooks' does not appear on the list of goods to which a reduced VAT rate is specifically allowed to apply.
It is there that I saw the Internity audiobooks for sale and decided that the paperwork would have to wait.
How many audiobooks do you have on your iPod?
The application of different rates of VAT to books and audiobooks gave rise to much bewilderment in the EU Member States, both about the basis for these rates and about how they would be implemented in practice.
In Finland the position is clear, since, under the Sixth VAT Directive, it is not possible to apply a reduced rate of VAT to the sale of audiobooks.
The Commission has therefore questioned Sweden's application of a reduced VAT rate of 6 % to audiobooks.
Under the annex, a reduced 8 % VAT rate does apply to certain goods, such as books, but the terms of the directive do not justify its application to audiobooks.
Are you listening to audiobooks of "Twilight" on CD?
In Sweden, for example, on 1 January 2002, VAT on books and periodicals was cut from 25 % to 6 %, and the VAT reduction also applied to audiobooks.
Can the Commission guarantee that Sweden is entitled to treat audiobooks in the same way as printed books and thus to retain the current reduced VAT rate?
Audiobooks are a modern form of books and also constitute an important aid for people with disabilities.
Reducing the price of audiobooks immediately boosted their sales, and audiobooks became the fastest growing sector on the book market in Sweden.
They have a DJ who mashes up '80s hip-hop with John Grisham audiobooks.
The Commission considered that audiobooks do not generally fall within the categories listed in Annex III.
For example, audiobooks sold on CD are eligible for VAT reduction, unlike the exact same data file when it is sold for downloading to an MP3 player.
Does the Commission not consider that audiobooks are also an aid to people with disabilities and should continue to benefit from a lower VAT rate for that reason too?
Browse, search, and purchase music and audiobooks from eMusic

Alternatives:

audio books
audio recordings of books
books in audio format
spoken books
narrated books

This is a correct term in English, but it is less common and slightly more formal than "audiobooks".

"audio books"

Use "audio books" when you want to emphasize the separate nature of the audio format of the books.

Examples:

She purchased several audio books for her collection.
The store sells a variety of audio books for different age groups.
Audio books are a popular choice for commuters.
He enjoys listening to audio books before going to bed.
The library has a section dedicated to audio books.

Show examples from the web [+]

Josh likes to listen to audio books during his massage.
The reduction also included audio books, i.e. books recorded on to CDs, for example.
Under these provisions, the United Kingdom was allowed to apply zero rates to books but not to audio books.
As there is no other definition at Community level, Member States will have to determine if audio books should be considered as part of this category even if the mainstream population can also buy and use them.
The Commission now plans to bring infringement proceedings against Sweden to compel it to increase the rate of VAT on audio books.
Subject: Reduced VAT rates on audio books for blind people
The lowering of VAT on audio books has, however, not only resulted in lower consumer prices and rising sales but also in an increase in reading.
On 23 March 2007, however, the Commission sent a reasoned opinion to Sweden stating that the reduced rate of VAT on audio books is contrary to EC law.
The rate is the same for printed books and audio books.
The market for audio books is growing, and more and more people are using them nowadays.
Why did Ricky Gervais do a series of audio books?
Subject: Different VAT rates on paper books, e-books and audio books
Furthermore, the Commission argues that, if audio books were considered as books, the CD would need to be thoroughly analysed to establish the contents in order to decide whether it should be considered as an audio book or a normal CD.
Why is the Commission demanding that different rates of VAT be applied to printed books and to audio books, when the text is identical?
Audio books are not, as such, included in Annex H so they are submitted to the standard rate.
Currently, the lower VAT rate is applied to paper books, whereas the higher VAT rate applies to e-books and audio books that can be downloaded.
Is the Commission aware that raising the price of audio books - which would ensue from increasing the VAT on these products - affects disabled people or is that considered to be simply unimportant?
Why does the Commission consider that the reduced rate of VAT on audio books is contrary to Community legislation when it is impossible for Swedish audio books to create distortion on the internal market?
LAUGHTER No, you're pulling that face, but walking is made magnificent by audio books.
How does the Commission justify its position in view of the function performed by audio books as a disability aid which gives the visually impaired the opportunity to buy and own their own books?

Alternatives:

audiobooks
books in audio format
spoken books
narrated books
audio recordings of books

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