Fraud vs. Defraud – Which is Correct?

Fraud is a noun referring to the act of deception itself or a person who commits it, while defraud is a verb meaning to illegally obtain something from someone by deception. Both are correct words, but they serve distinct grammatical functions. Understanding their different parts of speech is crucial for accurate usage in your writing.

Fraud or Defraud – Which is Correct?

The distinction between fraud and defraud lies squarely in their grammatical roles: fraud is a noun, and defraud is a verb. You commit fraud (the act), and you defraud someone (the action). Confusing them often stems from their similar sounds and shared root meaning of deception.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

A simple way to remember the difference is to think of their primary functions:

• Fraud is a Thing: It refers to the deceptive act or scheme itself, or sometimes the person committing it (e.g., “a fraudster”). If you can replace the word with “the deception” or “the scam,” use fraud.
• Defraud is an Action: It describes the act of deceiving someone to gain something illegally. If you can replace the word with “to cheat” or “to swindle,” use defraud.

Consider the sentence: “They committed _____ to _____ the investors.”
The first blank needs a noun (the act), so “fraud.” The second blank needs a verb (the action), so “defraud.”

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Fraud	Noun	Deception intended for unlawful gain; a deceptive act or scheme.	The company was investigated for tax fraud.
Defraud	Verb	To illegally obtain money, property, or advantages from (someone) by deception.	The scammer attempted to defraud elderly investors.

How to Use Fraud

As a noun, fraud refers to the specific act of deception or the overall scheme designed to mislead for personal or financial gain. It can also refer to a person who commits fraud, though “fraudster” is more common. Fraud is typically used in formal, legal, or financial contexts.

Example 1: The recent audit uncovered significant instances of accounting fraud within the department.

Example 2: Victims of identity fraud often face long battles to restore their credit scores.

Example 3: The insurance company denied the claim, citing it as an attempt at benefit fraud.

What are the different forms of Fraud?

As a noun, fraud primarily has a plural form.

• Singular: fraud (e.g., “a serious fraud”)
• Plural: frauds (e.g., “multiple frauds were reported”)

Etymology of the word Fraud

The word “fraud” entered English in the late 14th century, deriving from the Old French “fraude,” which itself came from the Latin “fraus” (genitive “fraudis”), meaning “deceit, deception, injury, crime.” Its origins highlight its long-standing association with trickery and harm.

How to Use Defraud

Defraud is a transitive verb, meaning it always takes a direct object—the person or entity being deceived or from whom something is illegally obtained. It describes the action of cheating or swindling. Like “fraud,” it is often used in legal and formal contexts.

Example 1: The con artist tried to defraud the tourists of their vacation savings.

Example 2: Authorities are investigating whether the CEO intended to defraud shareholders.

Example 3: It is a crime to knowingly defraud the government of taxes owed.

What are the different forms of Defraud?

As a regular verb, defraud follows standard conjugation rules for its tenses.

• Base Form: defraud (e.g., “They often defraud”)
• Third-person Singular Present: defrauds (e.g., “He defrauds”)
• Past Simple: defrauded (e.g., “She defrauded”)
• Past Participle: defrauded (e.g., “They have defrauded”)
• Present Participle: defrauding (e.g., “He is defrauding”)

Etymology of the word Defraud

“Defraud” also emerged in the late 14th century, coming from the Old French “defrauder” and directly from the Latin “defraudare,” meaning “to cheat, deceive, rob by fraud.” This etymology underscores its active sense of carrying out a deceptive act.

Related Concepts

Understanding broader grammatical concepts like parts of speech can solidify your grasp of words like fraud and defraud.

• Nouns: Words that name a person, place, thing, or idea. Fraud typically functions as an abstract noun, referring to the concept or instance of deception.
• Verbs: Words that describe an action, state, or occurrence. Defraud is a transitive verb, meaning it expresses an action and requires a direct object (the receiver of the action).

Examples from Media and Literature

Here are examples illustrating the correct usage of fraud and defraud in various contexts:

• The recent news exposé detailed a massive credit card fraud operation targeting consumers nationwide.
• The prosecutor argued that the defendant intentionally set out to defraud the insurance company of millions.
• Security experts warn against phishing emails designed to defraud individuals of their personal information.
• The novel depicted a character who orchestrated an elaborate investment fraud, costing many their life savings.
• It is illegal to knowingly defraud the government of taxes or benefits owed.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The elaborate scheme was a clear act of _____. (fraud/defraud)
2. The company tried to _____ its investors by misrepresenting profits. (fraud/defraud)
3. He was charged with _____ for selling fake artwork. (fraud/defraud)
4. She worried that the online offer was designed to _____ her. (fraud/defraud)
5. Many laws are in place to prevent financial _____. (fraud/defraud)

Answer Key

1. fraud
2. defraud
3. fraud
4. defraud
5. fraud

Fraud Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Deception	The action of deceiving someone.
Swindle	A fraudulent scheme or action.
Hoax	A humorous or malicious deception.
Ruse	An action intended to deceive someone; a trick.
Imposture	An instance of falsely pretending to be another person.

Defraud Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Cheat	To act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage.
Swindle	To use deception to deprive someone of money or possessions.
Fleece	To obtain a great deal of money from (someone), typically by overcharging or swindling.
Con	To trick or swindle (someone).
Bilk	To obtain or withhold money from (someone) by deceit or without justification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can “fraud” be used as a verb?
No, “fraud” is strictly a noun, referring to the deceptive act or scheme itself. The verb form, meaning to commit such an act against someone, is “defraud.”

Question 2: Is there a situation where “defraud” can be a noun?
No, “defraud” functions exclusively as a verb. Its related noun, referring to the act of deception, is “fraud.”

Question 3: What’s the difference between “fraud” and “scam”?
While often used interchangeably, “fraud” typically implies a legal or criminal offense involving deliberate deception for unlawful gain, carrying more formal and legal weight. “Scam” is a more informal term for a dishonest scheme, which may or may not be illegal, though it often involves an element of trickery.

Conclusion

Mastering the distinction between fraud and defraud is straightforward once you remember their fundamental difference: fraud is the noun (the thing or act), and defraud is the verb (the action). You commit fraud, and you defraud someone. By applying this simple rule, you can ensure accuracy and clarity in your communication.

Pro Tip: Using the correct part of speech not only improves grammatical correctness but also enhances your professional reputation, demonstrating a precise command of the English language, especially in formal or legal contexts.