plug-in vs plug in

Both "plug-in" and "plug in" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Plug-in" is commonly used as a compound adjective to describe a device or software that can be added to a computer system to give extra features or functions. On the other hand, "plug in" is used as a verb phrase to describe the action of connecting a device to an electrical socket or another device.

Last updated: March 29, 2024 • 1099 views

This is correct as a compound adjective to describe a device or software that can be added to a computer system.

"plug-in"

Use "plug-in" when you want to describe a device or software that can be added to a computer system to provide extra features or functions.

Examples:

I need to install a new plug-in for my web browser.
The plug-in microphone enhances the sound quality of the recording.
This plug-in software allows you to edit images more effectively.
The plug-in electric car can be charged at home.
She developed a plug-in module for the application.

Show examples from the web [+]

Added plug-in for loading JPEG2000 images.
Added RGB565 support to the csource plug-in.
The Cubism plug-in modifies the image so that it appears to be constructed of small squares of semitransparent tissue paper.
An enhanced version of the Plasma plug-in, called Plasma2, with many more options and parameters, is available from the GIMP Plugin Registry.
Crypto plug-in"%1" is not initialized.
Crypto plug-in"%1" cannot verify signatures.
No %1 plug-in was found.
Crypto plug-in"%1" could not decrypt the data.
Crypto plug-in"%1" cannot decrypt messages.
The plug-in also provides a method to easily create a new template from an open document.
The GIMP help browser plug-in appears to be missing from your installation.
Could not start the GIMP help browser plug-in.
The Screenshot plug-in has been given the ability to capture the mouse cursor (using Xfixes).
The Flame plug-in has been extended with 22 new variations.
Preferrably perform all cropping, color and intensity curve corrections on the image before using this plug-in.
This plug-in can only handle RGBA image files with 8bit color depth.
Resynthesizer is a Gimp plug-in for texture synthesis
Let's see what the plug-in does with the song.
Tileable Blur is actually implemented by a Script-Fu script that invokes the Gaussian blur plug-in.
This plug-in recolors the image using colors from the active palette that you choose in DialogsPalettes.

Alternatives:

add-on
extension
module

This is correct as a verb phrase to describe the action of connecting a device to an electrical socket or another device.

"plug in"

Use "plug in" when you want to describe the action of connecting a device to an electrical socket or another device.

Examples:

Don't forget to plug in your phone to charge it.
I need to plug in the vacuum cleaner to clean the room.
She asked me to plug in the power cord to start the computer.
Please plug in the microphone before you start speaking.
You can plug in the USB drive to transfer the files.

Show examples from the web [+]

This is about domestic violence in particular, but you can plug in other analogues.
They should keep her alive long enough to get to Lucy, to plug in the manual override code.
Should I plug in, or...?
Or we could plug in a coltrane cd and start our own party right here.
Just need to plug in the activation codes, and... there he is.
All we got to do now is plug in the numbers.
Juno, do you want to plug in the Bunsen burner?
There's nowhere to plug in the phone.
I can see the plug in your hand.
R2, come over here and plug in.
They gave him a nice plug in their movie Good Will Hunting.
And this is why I never plug in the jukebox.
All we need to do is plug in.
Rick, plug in sat coverage coordinates coming to you.
So your - your appliances would plug in.
All the appliances plug in there.
You can plug in a three-lead ECG.
Before I forget, is there someplace I can plug in my...
I advise you to put the plug in.
All right, Suki, plug in the tube.

Alternatives:

connect
insert
hook up

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plug-in vs plug in

"plug-in"

"plug in"

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