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Tag: difference paragraph

  • historical vs. historic

    historical vs. historic

    “Historical” and “historic” are obviously related. Both pertain to history or the potential to be remembered in history. However, they rarely overlap in usage. 

    historical

    “Historical” is the most straightforward term. It simply refers to a connection with history.  

    1. of or relating to history or to the past.
      I’m particularly interested in historical subjects such as the causes of war.
      The Boston Massacre was an historical event that took place in 1770.
    2. representing or based upon history.
      Shakespeare wrote historical plays in addition to comedies and tragedies.
    3. based on or relating to the records of history, as opposed to the stories of legend or myth.
      The historical Pocahontas differs greatly from film versions.

    historic

    “Historic” in its most common senses has more to do with importance or significance.  A “historical” museum presents things about history. It might be a modern building recently erected that features exhibits relating to Napoleon Bonaparte.  A “historic” museum is one that has played a part in history itself or has some significance as an old and important structure. A ”historic” museum could be an art museum and have nothing to do with describing events occurring in history.

    1. significant in history.
      The historic Treaty of Versailles brought a formal end to war between Germany and the Allied Powers.
    2. of very great significance or importance and therefore likely to be remembered in history; momentous.
      Today’s opening of the new bridge is a historic event.
    3. established or recorded in the past.
      Historic temperatures for this day show an all-time high of 102 °F.
    4. dating from the distant, or relatively distant, past.
      This historic ship is on display in the harbor museum.
      The residents of the community came together to protect their historic library.


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  • Grammar and Usage: “connote” vs. “denote”

    Grammar and Usage: denote vs. connote

    The word “denote” refers to what a word literally means. For example, the word “beach” denotes an area next to a large body of water, no more and no less.  A beach can be a cold, rocky, and windswept place. Often, however, the word “beach” conjures up notions of warm sun, sand, pleasure, and relaxation. These latter things are what the word “beach” connotes to most of us in Western society.  Again, the denotation of a word is what it means literally. The connotation of a word refers to the additional images, feelings, or associations we attach to it.

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  • Grammar and Usage: “adverse” vs. “averse”

    The adjectives “adverse and “averse” are often confused.  “Adverse” often describes a thing contrary or opposed to what someone wants or plans (“adverse weather,” “adverse circumstances,”  “adverse consequences,” “adverse ruling”). “Adverse” also means “producing harmful effects,” as in “an adverse reaction to a medication.”

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  • Grammar and Usage: “comprise” vs. “compose”

    The verb “comprise” means “to be made up of, consist of, or include.”  We can say that the nation of Canada comprises ten provinces and three territories. Or we can say that the cinema complex comprises four movie theaters.  

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  • Grammar and Usage: “attain” vs. “obtain”

    “Obtain” and “attain” have similar pronunciations and meanings, but they do not generally overlap in usage. “Attain” has more the idea of achieving a goal or reaching a level or degree. “Obtain” has more the idea of actually getting something, actually taking possession of it.

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