Questions tagged [difference]
This tag is for questions about the difference in meaning between certain phrases or sentences.
3,919
questions
0
votes
1answer
11 views
What's the difference between “wrap” and “wind”?
I've looked them up in several dictionaries, but I find them very similar in meaning because both mean to turn something around something else, for example:
She wound a scarf around her neck.
She ...
0
votes
1answer
15 views
Is there a nuance of meaning between “could” and “would” when asking someone to do something politely?
Could you tell me if there is a nuance of meaning between could and would when asking someone to do something politely? For example:
Kate, could you pick up some milk on your way home?
Kate, would ...
0
votes
1answer
16 views
“Who have this memory card?”
If I say "Who have this memory card?" is it correct?
Or who owns this memory card?
Perhaps both are correct I want to know.
1
vote
1answer
16 views
Off, switched off and turned off
What is the difference between the sentences below?
Make sure the power is off first.
Make sure the power is switched off first.
Make sure the power is turned off first.
-1
votes
2answers
38 views
hit or reach a plateau
What’s the variant the most idiomatic?
The figures reached/hit a plateau
Are they both grammatically correct?
2
votes
2answers
32 views
the difference between “need to do” and “need to be doing.” [duplicate]
I want to ask the difference between "need to do" and "need to be doing." Here is an example"
We need to do this as soon as possible.
and:
We need to be doing this as soon ...
0
votes
0answers
11 views
What's the difference between “method” and “process”?
I came across the following sentences in a political science book:
"Political science—like other social sciences—seeks to study human
behaviour through the use of a scientific method that, at ...
0
votes
0answers
12 views
Pointed/Aimed the gun at
She pulled out a gun and pointed/aimed it at him.
Is there any significant difference between these or are they interchangeable here?
Is there a difference if it's pointed/aimed from short or long ...
-1
votes
1answer
30 views
'draw a border' or 'draw a boundary'
What's the variant more appropriate?
Are they both right and equal?
Draw a border
Draw a boundary
In the context, for instance:
"When we're talking about philosophy and psychology we have to...&...
1
vote
1answer
18 views
exert influence vs influence
What are the differences between them?
influence
exert influence
The latter is more emotional and stronger, isn't it?
(The translation of these two words into my language are absolutely the same.)
0
votes
1answer
35 views
What is the difference between “yet”, “as yet” and “so far” in negative sentences?
Could you tell me what the difference is between yet, as yet and so far in negative sentences For example:
I have a whole cake, but I haven't touched it yet.
I have a whole cake, but I haven't ...
2
votes
2answers
61 views
“All I want” or “I only want”
What's the difference between the following sentences?
1 "All I want is peace and quiet"
2 "I only want peace and quiet"
0
votes
0answers
29 views
“Until now I didn't realize that…” vs. “until now I hadn't realized that…” [duplicate]
Could you tell me if there is any difference in meaning between the following sentences?
Until now I didn't realize that you can sing so well.
Until now I hadn't realized that you can sing so well.
...
0
votes
1answer
12 views
think/ponder/ruminate/contemplate
We can think about future.
But can we say some of these ways?:
We should ruminate about future
We should ponder about future
We should contemplate about future
Do any some of them make a sense?
Or ...
1
vote
0answers
13 views
There are some benefits to have/having an experience
Can you help me with this rule?
I have no idea about its name (maybe gerund?).
But Word offers me to change "have" to "having".
Why should (or shouldn't) I do it here?:
There are ...
0
votes
1answer
32 views
January's schedule vs. January schedule
Is it January's schedule or January schedule?
I also get confused with whether to include an apostrophe before "bill."
This is my January bill or January's bill.
0
votes
2answers
22 views
Usage of the words: “pivotal” and “paramount”
Can the words "pivotal" and "paramount" be used with the word "advantage"?
The most pivotal advantage of remote learning is...
The most paramount advantage of remote ...
-3
votes
1answer
43 views
Could you tell me what “temporal” is?
Sentence: People don’t usually think of touch as a temporal phenomenon.
(I only have this sentence)
As I know, 'temporal' means two things:
relating to the world, 2. relating to the time.
1
vote
2answers
31 views
What's the difference between “Is the song good?” and “Is the song any good?”?
What's the difference between
Is the song good?
and
Is the song any good?
0
votes
1answer
26 views
Is there any difference in meaning between “in time,” “with time” and “over time”?
Could you tell me if there is any difference in meaning between in time, with time and over time? For example:
You will definitely learn how to play the guitar in time.
You will definitely learn how ...
0
votes
0answers
13 views
Is there any difference between “suppose”, “assume” and “let's say” in hypothetical questions?
Could you tell me if there is any difference between suppose, assume and let's say in hypothetical questions? For example:
Suppose you lost your job, what would you do?
Assume you lost your job, what ...
0
votes
1answer
18 views
envision / predict / forecast
If I have a quarrel with somebody and say:
I can envision all your further words!
Is it appropriate in the context that I want to emphasise that all they words are a commonplace for me and they ...
1
vote
2answers
25 views
Is there any difference between “who is to do something” and “who is going to do something” in rhetirical questions?
Could you tell me if there is any difference in meaning between who is to do something and who is going to do something in rhetirical questions? For example:
Who is to look after my plants when ...
6
votes
3answers
606 views
Is there any difference between “take the initiative” and “show initiative”?
Could you tell me if there is any difference between take the initiative and show initiative? For example:
Micheal is someone who takes the initiative.
Micheal is someone who shows initiative.
1
vote
1answer
20 views
You can/You're welcome to
Firstly, are both sentences perfectly natural?
Would the first sentence be considered polite?
Do you see a big difference between the sentences in how polite they are?
Sentences:
You like this teddy ...
0
votes
1answer
28 views
Is there any difference between “do well in a job interview”, “do well at a job interview” and “do well on a job interview”?
Could you tell me if there is any difference between do well in a job interview, do well at a job interview and do well on a job interview? For example:
If Kate does well in the job interview, that'...
-3
votes
0answers
23 views
What is the difference between “bad” and “evil” reputation? [closed]
Does "evil" imply more malice?
Feel free to provide examples.
0
votes
1answer
23 views
What's the difference between “consist” and “comprise”?
I have often used "consist" and "comprise" in the same sense because meaning of them seem similar. Can you explain the difference between the two words?
Example sentence; From ...
0
votes
1answer
18 views
“it did not until now” vs “it has not”
I thought "it did not until now" is natural and not wrong, but my friend keeps saying it is wrong and it should be "it has not" because "did" as past simple tense and &...
-1
votes
1answer
23 views
Do the phrases “valuable for” and “valuable to” have the same meaning?
Could you tell me if there is any difference in meaning between valuable for and valuable to?
The workers are very valuable for the company.
The workers are very valuable to the company.
0
votes
1answer
19 views
Difference between “disband” and “disperse”
The police disbanded/dispersed the mob.
According to my textbook dispersed is correct.
I wanna know why disbanded is wrong or is it that dispersed is more appropriate? If so, then why?
As disbanded ...
0
votes
1answer
8 views
Which one of the sentences is grammatically correct?
Which one of the following sentences is correct, and why?
“I would rather you take care of the children.”
“I would rather have you take care of the children.”
1
vote
2answers
28 views
Laugh out loud (lol) vs Laughing my ass off (lmao)
I know that lol means laugh out loud, and lmao is laughing my ass off, but in what context(s) would I use these, and what are their fundamental differences?
Also, I talk with a lot of people (mostly ...
0
votes
1answer
21 views
“Blot something” vs. “Blot dry something”
Is there any difference between saying:
"blot something"
And
"blot dry something"
If synonymous, should one be preferred over the other? "Blot dry" sounds like a ...
-1
votes
1answer
32 views
Swinging, waving, wielding
When I looked into my son's room again an hour later, he was still swinging/waving/wielding his plastic pirate sword (around) pretending he was fighting with someone.
Which one of "swinging"...
-1
votes
1answer
55 views
Is there a difference between “living abroad” and “living offshore”?
I was using always 'living abroad' and just found the expression: 'living offshore'. I would like to know if there's any difference between both. Can I use both expression as synonyms?
I know that '...
0
votes
1answer
18 views
Is there any difference between “as if to check” and “as if she's checking” in the context?
She starts whistling into his ear as if to check whether he really is dead.
She starts whistling into his ear as if she's checking whether he really is dead.
Is there any difference these?
Does &...
0
votes
2answers
25 views
What's the difference between 'We do our bit' and 'We do our best'?
I saw in a sentence: We do our bit, don't we?
Whats the difference between doing your bit and doing your best? Are them interchangeable?
0
votes
1answer
38 views
Which is right “Did or have”?
I have heard in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” that Harry says “I did not do it” when Ron asks whether he put his name?
Why doesn’t he say “I have not done it” instead of “did”?
0
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0answers
22 views
Should I use “as” or “when”?
Should I use "as" or "when" in the sentence below? And if both are OK, what is the difference?
Making his way down the hallway, Kurt suddenly stops as/when he spots the name 'Paul ...
4
votes
1answer
40 views
Which preposition would be correct: “in” or “during” a time period?
In the sentence below, which preposition is the correct one – in or during? Or are they both correct? In that case, is there a difference in meaning?
Following an expansive phase in/during 2020, we ...
1
vote
1answer
16 views
One of the ones - singular or plural?
Should the singular or plural be used after one of the ones?
You're one of the ones that understand(s) me
I've seen a native speaker use the singular form (which likely makes it at least acceptable),...
1
vote
1answer
22 views
Is there any difference between “ability or not to be counted” and “ability to be counted or not”?
many nouns that can be made plural are obviously able to be counted, and many that cannot be plural are obviously unable to be counted. The problem, however, is that there are also many nouns whose ...
-1
votes
1answer
20 views
What is the difference between “hide” and “hide out”?
Could you tell me what the difference between hide and hide out is? For example:
The guy is hiding from the police because he has stolen a car.
The guy is hiding out from the police because he has ...
0
votes
1answer
19 views
“Take a break from” vs. “take a break with”
Could you tell me if there is any difference in meaning between take a break from and take a break with? For example:
I'm going to take a break from/with studying.
It's time to take a break from/with ...
1
vote
3answers
55 views
Enigma vs puzzle
What are the differences between a "puzzle" and an "enigma"?
All dictionaries say about the "mysterious" effect in the word "enigma".
Native speakers, do you ...
0
votes
1answer
23 views
What is the difference between “send something somewhere” and “send something in somewhere”?
What is the difference between send something somewhere and send something in somewhere? For example:
You should defintely send the tape to a music company.
You should defintely send the tape in to a ...
-1
votes
0answers
16 views
Is there a difference between 'consequence analysis' and 'impact analysis'?
As the heading says – is there a difference between these two expressions:
Consequence analysis
Impact analysis
If so, which would be the better to use in a context where one is to analyse the ...
1
vote
1answer
27 views
“If I (went/will go) to the past with a time machine”
Should I say "I went to the past" because a word referring to action in the past have to be in past tense? But I hear some people say "I will go to the past.".
So which is correct?
2
votes
1answer
38 views
Is there any difference in meaning between “burn a house” and “burn down a house”?
Could you tell me if there is any difference in meaning between burn a house and burn down a house? For example:
The man went crazy and burned his house.
The man went crazy and burned down his house.
