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When flying, I often read phrases like the following:
Special Meals only available on select flights […]
Then again, wouldn't it also make sense to say
Special Meals only available on selected flights […]
What's the difference between these two? When should I use one over the other?
According to Washington State University Emeritus Professor of English Paul Brians' book Common Errors in English Usage, select is to convey high quality and selected is to convey a specific subset.
“Select” means “special, chosen because of its outstanding qualities.” If you are writing an ad for a furniture store offering low prices on some of its recliners, call them “selected recliners,” not “select recliners,” unless they are truly outstanding and not just leftovers you’re trying to move out of the store.
Select is an adjective.
Definition: the best of something, usually in a small amount
The adjective "select" is more applicable on a singular object or a set. Personally, I think it has become sort of an advertising lingo.
Examples:
1.) It's a very select club - I've been trying unsuccessfully to join it for years.
2.) These activities should be available to all pupils, not just a select few.
3.) Hamilton lives in a very select part of London.
I hope this helps.
reference: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/select_2#
US car manufacturers in particular seem to be prone to say some feature is only available on select models, but I wonder if this is influenced by the fact that automatic cars have a gear selector.
As a rule, the preferred form is available on selected flights (113 hits in Google Books), rather than available on select flights (5 hits).
Advertisers sometime use "select" loosely to mean "high-quality" (i.e. - they have selected certain products as being "better" than others), but usually the selection process involved is more neutral. A cynic might well think that optional extras on select models are often included as an inducement to buy something that's not actually such good value - which is why it's not selling well, and needs extra promotional offers.
In constructions such as this,
select followed by noun-phrase implies that there is a predefined subset -- select flights is a list of flight numbers/ other flight designations specifically listed for this purpose.
selected followed by a noun-phrase merely suggests a subset that may be chosen (at an unspecified time, by unspecified selectors); even at a future date by a future selector.
Discount is offered on 'select items'. -- Specific items set aside for discount sale. One list applies to all customers throughout the sale.
Present the 'selected items' at the packing counter. -- Customers select items of their choice. Items differ from customer to customer and from time to time.
I don't know the grammatical difference here, but do find that "selected" is often used for a subset that itself would be processed while "select" is often used when the subset would only form the basis/means for some processing.
Personally, I would use "select" when the selection process is underway (or yet to start), the criteria are vague or I want to be evasive. There is some finality, authority and honesty about "selected".
Use "select" as adjective to connote a desirable group of objects. Use "selected" as adjective to connote a neutral (even if purposeful) subsetting of objects from a larger universe.
