This tag is for questions about the differences in the meaning of two words.
0
votes
1answer
105 views
“Continuing” vs. “continued”
So, just a few minutes ago we had this question asking whether one could substitute ongoing availability with continuing availability and what the difference would be, if any. Apart from the question ...
0
votes
1answer
192 views
What is the difference between “vocabulary” and “word”? [closed]
Why does my English teacher usually point out my mistake when I wrote the following sentence?
I learned a lot of new vocabulary. -> I learned a lot of new vocabulary words.
Why do I have to put ...
0
votes
2answers
277 views
“I did it by myself” vs “I did it myself” [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Myself vs by myself
"I did it by myself" and "I did it myself"; what's the exact and subtle difference between the two?
2
votes
5answers
445 views
What is the difference between “dichotomous”, “binary”, “boolean”, etc.?
To classify species we use a method called: dichotomous biological key. It works base on true and false cycles. In computer sciences true and fulse working is called boolean and binary is a 0 and 1 ...
0
votes
1answer
133 views
Difference between “hypotyposis”, “ekphrasis” and “iconotext” [closed]
What is the difference between hypotyposis, ekphrasis and iconotext?
0
votes
2answers
64 views
“Proxime” vs. “proximate”
When should proxime and proximate be used? Can they be used both to mean spatial as well as temporal nearness? Are they being used differently in British and American English?
6
votes
4answers
2k views
What is the difference between 'can', 'could', 'may' and 'might'?
I'm a native English speaker and I've been doing some research into English grammar for a programme I'm working on. However, on looking into modal verbs, I've only just come to appreciate how subtle ...
6
votes
2answers
128 views
Difference in usage between “expat” and “emigrant”?
Is there a difference in usage between expat and emigrant? I believe I encounter the former mostly in positive contexts, describing highly-skilled professionals ("expat guide to [country]"), and the ...
0
votes
1answer
104 views
Difference between “hypnotic” and “hypnotizing”
Is there a difference between hypnotic and hypnotizing? I believe they are synonyms but I think of hypnotic as being more metaphorical, and hypnotizing as being used, at least sometimes, as a clinical ...
1
vote
2answers
357 views
“It was my birthday yesterday” vs. “My birthday was yesterday”
Is there a difference between the following sentences?
It was my birthday yesterday.
My birthday was yesterday.
When should I use "it was something yesterday/a few days ago/..." and when ...
-1
votes
1answer
239 views
What is the difference between variability and variance? [closed]
I could only find one result from Yahoo Answers, but the answer wasn't clear on the exact meaning of variability and how it is different from variance.
1
vote
1answer
317 views
What is the difference between “synergistic” and “synergetic”?
What is the difference between "synergistic" and "synergetic"? I believe they both speak of the cooperation of multiple things to produce an output, but how do they differ?
0
votes
3answers
165 views
What is the difference between “clearance” and “sale”?
I want to understand the difference between clearance and sale. So are these words synonyms or not? E.g.
Receive 60–90% off CookiesKids Clearance from Cookie's Kids.
Receive 50–85% off After ...
1
vote
1answer
116 views
Is there a difference between “depressive” and “depressing”?
Is news depressing or depressive? In what situations would you use these two words?
According to dicionary.com:
depressive - tending to depress
depressing - serving to depress; inducing a ...
1
vote
1answer
187 views
Difference between the use of “resilience” and “resiliency”
I constantly hear people use the word "resiliency" (especially sports broadcasters and the like). I've always used "resilience" instead. Is there a preferred word to use in any given situation?
As ...
1
vote
4answers
280 views
The insured vs. the assured
Consider the following statement (written in the context of marine cargo insurance):
The insurers plead negligence on the part of the assured.
The writer is British.
Is the use of assured ...
0
votes
1answer
271 views
Difference between “second cousin” and “first cousin once removed” [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Is there an accepted rule for naming all of our various distant relatives (Kinship Terms)?
What is the difference between second cousin and first cousin once removed? Is ...
0
votes
2answers
406 views
Is there any difference between “He won't do something” and “He wouldn't do something”? [closed]
I have read somewhere that He won't do something means He refused to do something and also He wouldn't do something has the same meaning.
Now I'd like to know, what is the difference in usage of ...
4
votes
1answer
101 views
“Work” vs. “working” (noun)
What are the differences between work and working when used as nouns?
For example:
Advocates claim that work/working brings a lot of benefits for young people.
Which one is correct? I have ...
4
votes
3answers
356 views
Froth, foam, lather or suds?
I know this topic is unlikely to pique any native speaker's curiosity, but bear with me, I am trying to learn the difference between froth, foam, lather and suds.
I feel these terms are not always ...
6
votes
1answer
323 views
What is the difference between “hang on” and “hold on”?
I often hear the words hang on and hold on, especially on TV. People use them when they want someone to wait for something. What's the difference between them?
0
votes
2answers
227 views
“Atop” versus “on top of” [closed]
I'm sure this is silly and won't be terribly difficult to answer: can one climb atop a mountain or is it proper to say climb on top of. Or does it matter? I'm thinking the latter is correct.
3
votes
1answer
132 views
Positioning “only” in “I have worked with X” [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Correct position of “only”
Which of the following sentences are correct?
I have worked with only Mr. X.
I have worked only with Mr. X.
I have only worked with ...
0
votes
1answer
163 views
Difference between “antisymmetric” and “nonsymmetric” [closed]
What is the difference between antisymmetric and nonsymmetric?
I only know the meaning of asymmetric.
3
votes
3answers
161 views
Archaic vs Historical in dictionaries
At Oxford Dictionaries Online the word alderman is marked as "chiefly historical", whereas ere is marked as "literary or archaic".
I've looked around on the ODO site, but I can't find a guide to ...
0
votes
1answer
461 views
When to use “include” and “including”?
I know that include is a verb while including is a preposition but they made me confuse when it comes to their usage.
I usually confuse when to use include with including.
Most Thais like ...
2
votes
1answer
140 views
Difference between “improvisation” and “extempore” [closed]
What is the difference between improvisation¹ and extempore² and where should one use each of these terms?
0
votes
0answers
13 views
Difference among “dis-”, “de-”, & “un-” [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Is there a general rule for the prefixation of “un-” and “de-” to words?
Origins of negative prefixes like in-, un-, il-, ir-, dis-, a-
What is the difference between ...
4
votes
4answers
403 views
Is “That would be great” conveying a touch of unwillingness? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Should I use “will” or “would” when I suggest that something will/would come in handy?
For example:
Tom: Hey, will you be free tomorrow night to catch a movie ...
1
vote
1answer
235 views
“Reward” vs. “award” vs. “prize” [closed]
Got the following from this link.
Award (n): a recognition of a personal achievement, e.g. a scholarship for winning a science fair, a plaque for volunteering 100 hours of community service
...
3
votes
3answers
261 views
“Suggestion” vs. “proposal”
I am currently writing my thesis concerned with the analysis and design of data visualizations. For certain use cases my thesis suggests certain visual interpretations (to which I generally refer as ...
1
vote
2answers
271 views
“True” vs. “right” vs. “correct”
I noticed that, in the dictionary, the words True, Right and Correct can have a meaning resembling accurate or exact. ODO says:
True (adj) = accurate or exact.
Right (adj) = true or correct as a ...
2
votes
2answers
90 views
'Whack someone“ vs ” Whop someone“ vs ”Wallop someone"
I noticed that, in the dictionary, the words Whack, Whop and Wallop can have a meaning resembling hit some one hard. ODO says:
Whack (Verb) = strike forcefully with a sharp blow.
Whop (Verb) = ...
2
votes
3answers
160 views
What's the difference between “rigor” and “rigorousness”?
What's the difference between rigor and rigorousness?
Which should I use in the following?
Rigorousness and clarity are not synonymous in pedagogy.
6
votes
1answer
173 views
What is the difference between yesterday and one day ago?
Do yesterday and one day ago refer to the same time period? If no, what is the difference?
3
votes
2answers
284 views
“Admonish someone” vs “Censure someone” vs “Reprimand someone”
I noticed that, in the dictionary, the words admonish, censure and reprimand can have a meaning resembling criticize or disapprove (of) some one sharply and formally. ODO says:
Admonish (verb): ...
6
votes
4answers
275 views
What is the difference between “dispute” and “argue”?
There were two English teachers who told me different answers. I'm confused. When I want to talk about two persons having different opinions, I have to say that "they dispute with each other" or "they ...
4
votes
3answers
390 views
Difference in the implied meaning when different words for “Shining” used?
Please consider the sentences below:
The grass was glittering with dew.
The grass was glistening with dew.
The grass was glinting with dew.
The grass was gleaming with dew.
Below are the ...
2
votes
2answers
162 views
Difference in the implied meaning when different words for “cheating” used?
Please consider the sentences below:
He chiseled me out of my dues.
He swindled me out of dues.
He cheated me out of my dues.
Below are the definitions given by Dictionary
Chisel = ...
4
votes
2answers
172 views
What is the difference between “impossible” and “implausible”? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
“Plausible” vs. “possible”
My English-Russian dictionary translates "impossible" and "implausible" absolutely the same. But there must be a difference. Could you ...
2
votes
3answers
111 views
“Hence the need to make X” vs. “hence the need for X”
Is either of these two sentences correct? If both are correct, is one of them more common than the other?
[some arguments...] Hence the need to make an educted guess.
[some arguments...] ...
1
vote
2answers
258 views
the difference between company and a companion [closed]
In what situation would you use company or a companion in the following sentences?
I have a dog and it's my company.
I have a dog and it's my companion.
Can I use company instead of companion ...
19
votes
3answers
714 views
What exactly are the differences between “diligent”, “assiduous” and “sedulous”?
From OALD:
sedulous (formal) showing great care and effort in your work
synonym: diligent
assiduous (formal) working very hard and taking great care that everything is done as well as it ...
1
vote
3answers
84 views
”voice controlled” versus ”voice activated” [closed]
While researching a computer game, I came across the terms “voice controlled” and “voice activated”. What is the difference between them?
2
votes
2answers
138 views
Difference between “presidentship” and “presidency”
What's the difference between presidentship and presidency? Please give examples to show the difference.
-1
votes
2answers
355 views
“I got it covered” vs “I've got it covered” [closed]
Which of the two sentences is correct and why:
I got it covered.
or
I've got it covered.
Edit:
I am referring to usage that implies that you have something under control:
Sally: Did ...
0
votes
2answers
242 views
Usage differences between “glum”, “grumpy”, “sulky”, “glower”, and “morose”
I learned from my English book these are synonyms. However I am curious to know what the specific usage of each word is. How much interchangeable are they with each other?
Consider the sentence ...
0
votes
3answers
183 views
Usage difference between modest vs decent?
The Dictionary definitions are below:
Modest = not excessively large, elaborate, or expensive.
Decent = appropriate; fitting
Please consider below sentences
He has a modest three ...
1
vote
3answers
280 views
Usage differences between “than”, “to”, and “over”
I understand that than, rather than, over and to are used to compare things. How ever I am not sure when to use those for specific scenarios. Are these interchangeable?
Consider the sentence below:
...
0
votes
3answers
216 views
Can I always use “unless” interchangeably with “if not”? [closed]
I have been bothered by the question whether 'unless' and 'if not' can be used interchangeably. I think they can have the opposite meaning, but I am not sure. Could you support my opinion with some ...
