This tag is for questions about the differences in the meaning of two words.
5
votes
7answers
3k views
What is the difference between “probably” and “possibly”?
Recently I saw the movie "Pursuit of Happyness", which is actually quite good, and I noticed the actor (Will Smith) asking the difference between probably and possibly to his son. So I would like to ...
3
votes
5answers
13k views
What is the difference between “skeptical” and “cynical”?
Both the words "skeptical" and "cynical" refer to a doubtful mood, but what is the basic difference between them?
0
votes
2answers
821 views
Use of the word “referable”
Can the word "referable" be used to denote something that can be referenced and what is the difference between "referable" and "referenceable"?
6
votes
6answers
24k views
What is the difference between “curd” and “yogurt”?
Most people use the words curd and yogurt interchangeably.
Both are made by fermenting milk.
Is there a difference between the two, or are they the same?
-1
votes
2answers
47 views
from and by differences [closed]
I have some questions.
"I'm tired from the hard work".
The function of this "from" is kind of reason, right?
What's the differences between from and by.
by is also changeable in this above sentence?
...
3
votes
2answers
101 views
Why is it wrong to say this sentence 'I'm afraid I forgot my homework at home
Why is it wrong to say this sentence and what grammar rules are broken
6
votes
3answers
10k views
“give up” vs “give in”
Do give up and give in imply different meanings?
2
votes
2answers
123 views
Eleusian vs. Eleusinian (and, to a lesser extent, Elysian)
Both Eleusian and Eleusinian are used in relation to mysteries. I've only seen Elysian used in relation to Elysian Fields.
Given that the suffix -ian denotes "of or belonging to," I'm wondering if ...
1
vote
3answers
2k views
'Clean' vs 'Clear'
What is their difference?
Please provide an example (or two if the use as verb or adjective differentiates their meanings).
2
votes
2answers
1k views
what's the difference between Transfer, Transport and Transmission as the noun
Here are some examples
FTP is short for File Transfer Protocol, while TCP is short for Transmission Control Protocol, the layer in which TCP resides is called Transport Layer. What's the difference of ...
0
votes
2answers
967 views
“What's the problem with you?” vs. “What's the matter with you?”
Is there a difference between saying What's the problem with you? and What's the matter with you?
-1
votes
2answers
75 views
“Pace” vs. “speed”
Is there a difference between "pace" and "speed"? I have a feeling that with "speed" we usually specify the actual value, while with "pace" we talk more relatively. Am I right?
-2
votes
4answers
103 views
“Lay on the bed” vs. “lay in the bed” [closed]
Which one is more grammatically correct?
I lay on the bed.
I lay in the bed.
4
votes
2answers
50k views
Difference between “Warm regards” and “Best regards”
Is there any difference between Warm regards and Best regards?
18
votes
5answers
376 views
“Infer” vs. “imply” — can “infer” imply “imply”?
Okay that's a crazy title, but bear with me. Got into a good natured discussion with someone on another stack exchange site, and I was "correcting" him on the use of infer vs. imply.
(The ...
6
votes
4answers
1k views
What's the difference between “false”, “counterfeit”, and “forged” when describing a document?
I'm reading Schengen Borders Code (2006R0562—EN) and in the Annex V Part B there's a list of reasons for refusing entry that includes
(B) has a false/counterfeit/forged travel document
As far as ...
5
votes
2answers
3k views
11
votes
5answers
5k views
Difference between “pain” and “ache”
What's the difference between pain and ache?
I often see the two words used (almost) interchangeably. At the same time the phrase "aches and pains" is pretty common, and seems to suggest that the two ...
2
votes
3answers
171 views
Difference between “an” and “one”
Forgive me if I miss something very obvious; English is not my native language.
I am currently taking an online (sort of) Math class that aims to teach creating/writing unambiguous Mathematical ...
11
votes
2answers
3k views
“Electronic” vs. “electric”
Most people would refer to computers as being electronic, whereas a flashlight would be described as electric.
I know the general difference (electronic devices use transistors?), but what is it ...
0
votes
1answer
63 views
“Questioned” or “asked”?
What is the difference between questioned and asked?
I asked him how are you?
I questioned him how are you?
Will the two sentences have a different meaning if I use questioned instead ...
3
votes
5answers
148 views
Difference between “jargon” and “technical terms”
Each subject matter has its own set of terms called jargon which is expressed in its particular grammatical rules. Technical terminology or Term of Art is the specialized vocabulary of any specialized ...
2
votes
3answers
1k views
Difference between “think of” and “think about”
Is there a difference between "think of something" and "think about something"? I've also met "have heard of/about something".
0
votes
2answers
94 views
Difference between ‘“folder” and “directory”
What is the difference between folder and directory in the context of computer science?
1
vote
0answers
32 views
The difference between “to someone” and “for someone” [duplicate]
To many people, we are the scariest animals in the world.
For me, English is the easiest of all subjects.
Why does the former sentence use "to" someone and the latter use "for" someone?
...
2
votes
1answer
55 views
Usage of “diary” and “calendar”
The difference between a paper diary and a paper calendar is fairly clear, though either may be used to record an appointmemt. However a computer application is less clear as, for example, MS ...
4
votes
2answers
162 views
How much mmmm should be in hmmmmmmm
This is my first question here.
I am not a fluent English speaker. I just know the basics.
My question is how many m's should be there in "hmm" as when I try typing it anywhere, it suggests "hmmm," ...
7
votes
2answers
123 views
difference between “this very” and “this particular”
It grew to my attention lately that I've read multiple authors using the expression "this very" like:
I will be writing on this very blog
I recommend going to this very restaurant
What's the value ...
0
votes
0answers
43 views
What's the difference between “review” and “overview”? [closed]
What's the difference between "review" and "overview"?
I've been thinking about these two words as synonyms. But recently I came across an article where author said he was going to make a review and ...
3
votes
5answers
10k views
8
votes
5answers
2k views
What's the difference between “big” and “large”?
What's the proper way to say: a large family or a big family? What's the difference between them?
5
votes
3answers
2k views
What is the difference between “group” and “band”?
What is the difference between group and band when applied to assemblages of musicians who play music together?
2
votes
2answers
1k views
the difference between “really” and “very”
Is the statement below true about the difference between really and very when really means “very” in the example “It’s very/really hot in the summer”?
“Really” shows more involvement, even ...
35
votes
4answers
6k views
What is the difference between “illicit” and “illegal”?
What is the difference between "illicit" and "illegal"? Are they just synonymous? Used in different contexts?
8
votes
5answers
2k views
“Experienced” vs. “seasoned”
Are these two words interchangeable?
According to the Oxford dictionary, experienced means having knowledge or skill in a particular job or activity, while seasoned having a lot of experience in a ...
1
vote
1answer
5k views
What is the difference between “accounting” and “accountancy”?
Is there a difference between the words "accounting" or "accountancy", when referring to the field or branch of study?
Could one or the other be said to be a subfield within the other?
Are there any ...
32
votes
9answers
19k views
“Unregister” vs “Deregister”
The concept of "undoing a registration" is widely used in my line of work. While most dictionaries define unregister as the proper verb for it, several widely used and highly considered sources also ...
2
votes
1answer
97 views
Difference between “Do it yourself” and “Do it by yourself”
What is the difference between "Do it yourself" and "Do it by yourself"? and how and when can I use each one of them?
0
votes
2answers
145 views
Can I use the terms “CEO” and “Managing Director” synonymously? [closed]
Can you please clarify if it's acceptable to use these terms interchangebly and if not point out to significant differences between these titles. It seems to me that it may be something with scale of ...
1
vote
2answers
152 views
-2
votes
0answers
85 views
What is the difference between “say” or “tell”? [closed]
What's the difference between say and tell?
-1
votes
4answers
801 views
What’s the difference between “tool” and “utility”?
I find these two words appear together often, especially mentioned as tool and utility for the Unix operating system. So I am wondering about the difference between them.
6
votes
3answers
1k views
Difference between “so”, “very”, “extremely” and “really”
What is the difference between so, very, extremely and really? For example,
We're so/very/extremely/really glad you could come!
3
votes
2answers
1k views
“Referee” vs. “umpire” vs. “judge”
What is the difference between referee, umpire and judge? How about the use of other similar words?
In sports like tennis, basketball, football and soccer, when do we use which?
6
votes
2answers
236 views
Whence came the different varieties of long /i/?
What is the origin of “long long /i/” before voiced consonants (the [ai] of wide, while, & tribe) versus “short long /i/” before unvoiced consonants (the [ʌi] of white, wife, & ...
1
vote
2answers
76 views
“I fail to do something” vs “I can't do something”
I am wondering why would someone say “I fail to understand” instead of simply saying “I can't understand”. Is there any specific difference between the two? Is it correct to say that the following two ...
0
votes
1answer
109 views
What's the difference between “get it” and “got it”? [closed]
They are not "I get it." or "I got it.". They are only "Get it." and "Got it.". I'm wondering what's the difference between them.
2
votes
3answers
2k views
“Definitely” vs. “absolutely”
What's the difference between absolutely and definitely? Actually which of the following sentences is correct?
You are definitely right.
You are absolutely right.
0
votes
0answers
66 views
Difference between “needed” and “necessary”
What is the difference between those two words?
Example sentence: "this can greatly reduce the needed | necessary effort". I found some posts saying that necessary is more urgent?! Are there more ...
3
votes
4answers
2k views
“Napkin” vs. “tissue”
I have suddenly found out that Chinese people use the word tissue instead of the word napkin.
Before I checked that word in the dictionary I couldn't understand what they are talking about. Is there ...
