Which should you use, fatal or fateful? The adjective fatal means causing death or leading to failure or disaster. The adjective fateful means having an important and usually negative effect on the future. Do not confuse fatal with fateful.
| Incorrect: |
The fateful shooting took place at an apartment complex.
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| Correct: |
The fatal shooting took place at an apartment complex.
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| Incorrect: |
It has been 50 years since that fatal day in Dallas.
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| Correct: |
It has been 50 years since that fateful day in Dallas.
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